Everyone is beautiful whatever their size - that is the message from a Norwich woman who is in the running for the accolade of Ms British Beauty Curve 2017.
Louise Smith, who lives in Dussindale and is a claims handler for Aviva, has been named Ms Norwich Curve 2017, and at the national final in Maidstone in August she will be competing with about 50 other women for the title of Ms British Beauty Curve 2017.
The 29-year-old, who is size 16 to 18, said she was excited to be part of the pageant that celebrates people for who they are.
'It is a British pageant for ladies sized 14 and over, from all backgrounds, to show off and flaunt our curves, pretty faces and personalities.
'To show the world you do not just have to be a size four, six, eight or 10 to be considered beautiful, and to bring ladies together, rocking their curvy bodies,' she said.
'I love my curves, my nickname is Mariah.'
Miss Smith, who goes to the gym and is a member of Slimming World to maintain a healthy lifestyle, added: 'Yes I am not size six, eight or 10 but it doesn't matter. It is about being beautiful inside and outside.
'We are are all different, what difference does it make? 'Just because you have got a little bit of extra skin doesn't make any difference at all as long as you are happy.'
She is proud to support the #FAB campaign which stands for Fighting Against Bullying, and which is being set up on Instagram by Emma King, the current Miss British Beauty Curve. As part of the campaign some of the women involved in the pagent have had their photos taken with the #FAB hashtag written on their bodies alongside names they have been called.
Miss Smith said she just brushes off any comments people make about her weight, but that she knows that other people can be more affected by it.
'Bullying seems to be getting worse and worse, especially with social media where people say things to people behind a screen that they wouldn't say to their face. Just because you are sitting behind a computer, it doesn't make it acceptable to call people fat,' she said.
'It is a privilege to be a part of it (#FAB). We need to start opening people's eyes and accepting people for who they are.'
For more on the pageant, visit www.missbritishbeautycurve.com
Controversies over skinny models
There has long been controversy about the fashion world using models that are too skinny and promote an unhealthy body image for women.
Zara was criticised earlier this year2017 for using ultra slim models for a 'Love Your Curves' campaign promoting a new denim range for curvy women.
Last year an advert for Gucci was banned by the Advertising Standards Authority because a model looked 'unhealthily thin.'
Calvin Klein sparked sparked fierce debate in 2014 when the fashion brand claimed to feature its first 'plus size' model - Myla Dalbesio, who was a slim size 10.
In 2015 the French government approved measures banning modeling agencies from hiring dangerously thin models and requiring altered photographs of models to be clearly labeled. Under the law, models need a doctor's certificate to certify they are fit to work.
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