STRAIGHT/CURVE

A documentary about body image and fashion industry leaders challenging society's unrealistic standards of beauty.

WHAT IS BODY IMAGE?

Body image is an intellectual or idealized image of what one’s body is – or should look like. It is sometimes misconceived, and influenced heavily by the fashion industry, media and society.

WHAT IS PLUS SIZE?

Two thirds of women are considered “plus size”. According to statistics the average US woman is 5′ 4″, weighs anywhere from 140-160 pounds and wears a size 14. A “straight size” model is considered size 0-4, while a “plus size” model is a size 10 and above.

OUR GOAL.

We will create the images we want to see in the fashion industry and the media and plan to show that women of all sizes, ages and ethnicities are beautiful. We will find out what is standing in the way of a more size diverse and inclusive fashion industry and media.

"I know plenty of women that are a size zero and naturally that way, but to say that that's the only beauty that should be showcased is not realistic and hurts our society."

Leah Kelley (model)

Synopsis

Straight/Curve examines the current trends around female body image and showcases the pioneering women, and men, fighting to redefine society’s unrealistic standards of beauty.

In the midst of this diversity revolution, Straight/Curve poses the critical question: what is standing in the way of more diverse and inclusive body sizes in fashion and the media?

The film explores controversial issues and common myths around health, fitness and fashion mores. By uncovering common misconceptions, and providing alternatives to measuring and discussing size and health, Straight/Curve hopes to entertain, inform and bolster a growing movement that demands a healthier and more realistic body image for women and girls.

"Straight/Curve is a must-see film about why representation matters, and how far we still have to go."

Hannah Ongley (i-D Magazine)

Our Team

Jenny McQuaile

Jenny McQuaile

Director/ Producer

Jenny McQuaile is an award-winning NYC-based journalist and documentary filmmaker. She began her career in journalism in Ireland and London and moved to New York to pursue a career in film. She has worked in production on major TV series and feature films such as Steven Soderberg’s “The Knick”, “Annie”, “Blue Bloods” “About Ray” and “The Bleeder”.

Jenny is an Associate Producer on “The World Cup Project”, a TV documentary series about 11 countries around the world that use soccer for social change. She directed and edited three episodes of the series including “Laces”, set in Liberia, that won Best Documentary Short at the NYLA International Film Festival in 2015, and was an Official Selection at The Lighthouse International Film Festival. She co-directed the feature length documentary "Power of Play" also set in Liberia. She is a member of the Irish Film and TV Academy.

Jessica Lewis

Jessica Lewis

Producer

Jessica Lewis is a model and body image expert with a strong focus on women and the media. A Toronto native, she began straight modeling at the age of 15 and was soon shooting for major worldwide publications including Italian Vogue, W and Elle and walking runways around the world for designers including Alexander Wang and Burberry. In 2011, after 10 years working both high end and commercial fashion around the world, Jessica took a break and came back as a plus-size model.

Jessica recently became a board certified health coach (RHC) and has contributed articles in Cosmopolitan, Italian Vogue, The Huffington Post among many others on the topic of body image initiatives and campaigns. She is also a board member at the prestigious Fashion Group International Toronto (FGI).

Yael Melamede

Yael Melamede

Producer

Yael Melamede is the co-founder of SALTY Features - an independent production company based in NYC whose goal is to create media that is provocative, entertaining and enhances the world.  Melamede’s newest film and directorial debut “(Dis)Honesty - The Truth About Lies” was released to great critical acclaim in May 2015.

Melamede’s recent films include INOCENTE, directed by Sean and Andrea Fine, winner of the 2013 Academy Award for Best Documentary Short; WHEN I WALK, directed by Jason DaSilva, winner of a 2015 News and Documentary Emmy; and DESERT RUNNERS, directed by Jennifer Steinman, winner of multiple awards in the US and around the world. Other producing credits include: BRIEF INTERVIEWS WITH HIDEOUS MEN, THE INNER LIFE OF MARTIN FROST, and MY ARCHITECT, nominated for an Academy Award in 2004.  Melamede was trained as an architect before becoming a filmmaker.

"I don't call this a movement, I call this evolution."

Gary Dakin (agent JAG Models)

Behind the Scenes

"This documentary on body diversity will change the way you think about yourself."

Lauren Chan (Glamour)

Some Facts

Percent of teens define ideal body image as what they see in fashion magazines.
Percent of women naturally posses the body type often portrayed in the media.
Percent of women are unhappy with their bodies and diet to achieve their ideal body shape.
Billion dollars is expected to be earned in the global weight loss industry this year.

Supporters

Lane Bryant

Sophie Theallet

Glamour Magazine

CFDA

Aerie

New York University

Fashion Institute of Technology

Syracuse University

The Model Alliance

National Eating Disorder Association

Hey Gorgeous

Slink

Laird & Partners

Elle Canada

Addition Elle

Beyond Yoga

Women You Should Know

Girl Be Heard

Harvard School of Public Health

Chromat

Christian Serrano

Elloqui

Runway Riot

Body Labs

Press

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