The Sunny Side Of Social

FROM FASHION BLOGGERS CELEBRATING THEIR CURVES TO PREGNANT TRAVELLERS, WOMEN ARE USING SOCIAL MEDIA TO REJOICE IN EXACTLY WHO THEY ARE

- Danae Mercer

Luanne D’Souza’s Instagram feed @weeshasworld looks like many of Dubai’s stylish fashion bloggers. In one post she’s laughing, wearing an off-the-shoulder black top with bows. In another, dressed in jeans and fashionable trainers, she’s staring into the camera. There are flat lays, make-up shots and plenty of lipgloss snaps.

Only there’s one noticeable difference: D’Souza’s fashion comes with a healthy dose of body confidence. She’s one of the UAE’s bloggers celebrating a curvier figure. “Over the years I’ve shared my own struggles with being big and learning to accept my body and how fashion played a role in that journey,” she says. “I mostly post outfits to show that big girls can be stylish too.”

D’Souza isn’t alone. While Instagram might be populated by teeny models in skimpy outfits and people using filters to give the ultimate flattering shot, there are a growing number of women using it to celebrate beauty in all its shapes, sizes and lifestyles.