Roxy Earle is talking about diversity in the fashion industry.
On Monday, the Canadian influencer and The Real Housewives Of Toronto star took to Instagram to share a photo of herself posing on the dock in a vibrant maxi dress, along with an important message about the lack of representation in women’s fashion.
“Let’s talk about fashion! You see, I’ve always loved fashion, but it never loved me anymore,” she began. “I curate my own world to follow inclusive brands and different influencers and look for high-end pieces that will suit me and then go to meetings in the ‘real fashion’ world where high-profile buyers and people who check out beautiful fashion magazines and I tell them my #MySizeRox story and a roomful of women who all look the same nod at me and tell me they’re working to be inclusive.”
She explained that when she’s asked how “real fashion” brands plan to be more inclusive, their answers seem vague and not urgent.
“I ask them how and they explain that it’s more of a ‘framework or strategy’ they’re working towards. It’s a weird moment when I’m explaining that lack of representation is a problem for a chamber that doesn’t have representation,” she wrote.
“But I’m moving on … and what I’m realizing is that instead of trying to change the game that doesn’t want me on the team, I’m going to create my own game,” Earle continued. “One that’s built by the communities of fashionistas and influencers left outside fashion’s ivory tower. I’ve been too ethnic, too big now I’m not dark enough, not big enough and everything in between. The people who write the rules they don’t make sense. So this Monday, I march! Let’s rewrite.”
“Tag your favorites changing the narrative. I want to know them all! I’ve tagged a few I know working on the business side of this community. Not sure if anyone reads these anymore with all the Instagram changes , but unfortunately I like share,” she added.
Earle’s post was met with messages of support from fans and praise for standing up for inclusion in the fashion industry.
“This,” commented one Instagram user. “And throw in the blatant ageism in fashion (and how it’s marketed). The struggle is real for middle-aged+ women to feel represented in this field, which is a really stupid lack on the part of the fashion industry. Our demographic has more a lot of coin to spend on ourselves, and we still like to wear great things. That’s not something that expires with age!”
“I don’t want to dress like my grandma when she was 50, okay,” they added.
“I’m at the point where I want to buy a sewing machine and make my own damn clothes. I can’t handle the constant frustration of trying on clothes that don’t fit my body. I also don’t want to accept high prices or quality sketchy when shopping at most size-inclusive stores,” someone else wrote. “Thank you for being such an advocate for size-inclusive fashion. I really adore the work you’re doing!”
“Thank you for sharing this,” commented another. “For someone who has never been the tallest or skinniest, I can feel what some of us must go through shopping. Going for inclusive fashion and cheering you on.”
Earlier this month, Earle got candid with her followers about embracing her postpartum body since welcoming her son, Myron Michael Mahesan, in January.
“Six months later and Myron left me with a cute bump,” she shared alongside a carousel of photos. “Working a-off to strengthen my core, eating with purpose and working up a sweat so I feel strong.”
On the second slide, Earle explained that even when she wasn’t feeling her “best,” she still showed up as her best self.
“Even when I didn’t feel the best, I always appeared as the best”, she said before adding that she designed the red dress she is wearing in the photo.
“I designed this dress for a wedding, as I couldn’t find anything I liked in stores at the time,” she wrote. “You don’t have to hate yourself as you work towards your goals. Love yourself and don’t hide yourself along the way.”
“Here I am today. Carrying the pregnancy weight and muscle loss that came with it, but working towards my goals with love and acceptance of my postpartum body,” she concluded.
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