Tess Holliday is the first plus-size model of her size and height to sign with a mainstream modeling agency.
29-year-old Holliday, who wears a size 22 and is 5’5”, isn’t just calling attention to her achievement, but also bringing on the love to effyourbeautystandards, an Instagram account she started in 2013 for women to celebrate their bodies, according to CNN.
Although Tess Holliday has been signed only recently, the stunning model has already worked for major companies, including Benefit Cosmetics and has been featured in Vogue Italia, according to People.
“It’s something that I’ve wanted my whole life, so to even think that it’s happened, it feels like an out-of-body experience,” Holliday, who has signed with MiLK Management, stated.
It’s been a long journey for Holliday, but her hard work has become an inspiration to women internationally.
“It’s something that I’ve wanted my whole life, so to even think that it’s happened, it feels like an out-of-body experience,” the mother-of-one explained.
Holliday’s Instagram account reportedly has more than 70,000 followers as social media users have continued to support the #EffYourBeautyStandars movement.
“I feel like it’s breaking ground,” the model told the New York Daily News of her contract.
She added, “This is a milestone.”
MiLK Model Management owner and director Anna Shillinglaw reportedly found the model on Instagram.
“I see a lot of negative comments [on social media] as well, and I ignore those. I know she’s healthy and active,” stated Shillinglaw.