If you were around Union Station in Toronto on Feb. 8, you may have seen a group of women marching around in their black bras, heels and jeans with signs reading, "Insta this to fight for body positivity #iwontcompromise."
The organizer of this initiative? Canadian retailer Penningtons. The reason for the march? To celebrate women of all shapes and sizes.
Penningtons describes their #IWontCompromise movement as a celebration of "doing what we love, wearing what makes us feel good, and being who we are without compromise." It's giving yourself permission to let go of the fears surrounding society's perceived notions of what the ideal body looks like, and using your voice to fight those body prejudices.
In the video of the Union Station "takeover," plus-size model Tess Holliday says the campaign is, "Spreading body diversity and letting people know that [plus-size women] aren't ashamed. We won't compromise and we want to feel good in the skin we're in, and that others should do the same."
The conversation surrounding diversity and size acceptance in the fashion world has been a hot topic as of late. With models like Ashley Graham and Barbie Ferreira walking fashion week runways, starring in high-profile campaigns and landing Vogue covers, the fashion industry seems to be welcoming different kinds of beauty.
But there's still a long way to go when it comes to inclusion in the industry. And Penningtons is striving to empower these women to "embrace fashion as a form of self-celebration" and keep the conversation going.
"A plus-size body is not the standard that mainstream media appreciates and loves, so being able to partner with Penningtons to show all women that no matter what you got, work it! You got one life, enjoy it. Love your body," one of the models said in the video.
If there's one thing we hope the commuters at Union Station — and viewers of the campaign video — got out of this awesome movement and its inspirational ladies, is that diversity is beautiful.
Men And Women Who Inspire Positive Body Image
James Corden(01 of17)
Open Image ModalHe stripped off in an underwear advert spoof alongside David Beckham. The message: "Beauty is skin deep, it's underneath that counts."He also wrote an open letter which was published by Glamour magazine in which he asks people to accept themselves for who they are. "Respect your body. It is what it is, so embrace it," he wrote. "Love every scar, ripple, and imperfection, and you won’t need others to do it for you." (credit:FOX via Getty Images)
David Beckham(02 of17)
Open Image ModalDavey B stars alongside James Corden in the underwear spoof for D&J briefs to promote healthy body image and the idea that beauty is only skin deep. (credit:J. Countess via Getty Images)
Serena Willliams(03 of17)
Open Image ModalLupita Nyong'o(04 of17)
Open Image ModalMatt McGorry(05 of17)
Open Image ModalThe Orange Is The New Black star spoke openly about his body concerns during his first shirtless scene on OITNB. He told Yahoo: "I was obsessively dieting, and when I saw that scene before the show ever came out, I thought I had blown it. I was like, 'Oh no! I didn't get as lean as I could've'. But then the show came out, and no one said anything negative about it, and it's funny because from one perspective you could say, 'Oh, he's letting himself go,' but from another perspective, I just don't need that validation I once did."I still love working out, and I think it's good for my health, and I feel good doing it. But I think with mental health, allowing myself to be who I am naturally in terms of my body, I think that's sort of practicing more self-love that way." (credit:Jennifer Lourie via Getty Images)
Prince Fielder(06 of17)
Open Image ModalFielder is a baseball player for the Texas Rangers who was featured on the front page of ESPN magazine, naked. The photograph of him was attacked on social media. The baseball player has since spoken out and said that just because a person is plus-size, it doesn't mean they can't be athletic.In an interview with ESPN.com, he said: “A lot of people probably think I’m not athletic or don’t even try to work out or whatever, but I do. Just because you’re big doesn’t mean you can’t be an athlete. And just because you work out doesn’t mean you’re going to have a 12-pack. I work out to make sure I can do my job to the best of my ability. Other than that, I’m not going up there trying to be a fitness model.” (credit:Ronald Martinez via Getty Images)
Tess Holliday(07 of17)
Open Image ModalGok Wan(08 of17)
Open Image ModalThe presenter is an advocate for body confidence in both men and women. He has been incredibly open about his struggles with obesity growing up. He presented a show called Gok's Teens: The Naked Truth, which looked at body image in young people. He also launched a campaign to get body image classes taught in schools across the country. (credit:Dave M. Benett via Getty Images)
Chrissy Teigen(09 of17)
Open Image ModalBen Cohen(10 of17)
Open Image ModalKate Winslet(11 of17)
Open Image ModalRobert Pattinson(12 of17)
Open Image ModalThe Twilight actor has been open about his struggles with Body Dysmorphia (BDD), an obsessive anxiety disorder which is characterised by the individual's preoccupation with flaws in his or her appearance which are unnoticeable to others.In the process, he's helped raise awareness of the disorder among men. (credit:Jason Kempin via Getty Images)
Demi Lovato(13 of17)
Open Image ModalAshley Graham(14 of17)
Open Image ModalAmy Schumer(15 of17)
Open Image ModalJameela Jamil(16 of17)
Open Image ModalAlexa Chung(17 of17)
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