Size 20 model Felicity Hayward hits back at 'plus-size' poster girl Tess Holliday for criticising fuller-figured stars who prefer to be described as 'curvy'

  • Size 20 model Felicity Hayward, 29, from London, prefers to be called 'curvy'
  • She spoke out after plus-size Tess Holliday blasted models who use the term 
  • Felicity explained that women should be free to use whichever term they want 

By Hana Carter For Mailonline

Published: 15:06 GMT, 6 December 2017 | Updated: 15:42 GMT, 6 December 2017

Model Felicity Hayward has hit back at size 22 star Tess Holliday after she blasted plus-size models who prefer to be described as 'curvy'.

Tess, 32, recently took aim at fuller-figure models who choose to ditch the 'plus-size' label once they have found fame, claiming they come to feel like they are 'too good for it'.

But size 20 Felicity, 29, from London, who prefers the term 'curve' model to 'plus-size', argues that women should be able to use whatever term they choose.

Speaking to FEMAIL, the British model said: 'I am curvy and I like that word. I prefer it to plus-size personally for me because I feel it describes my body shape more.' 

Felicity Hayward, 29, explains that she prefers the term 'curve model' over 'plus-sized'

Felicity Hayward, 29, explains that she prefers the term 'curve model' over 'plus-sized'

She explained she 'personally doesn't mind the term plus-size' but said she understood why women might choose not to use it. 

'The difficulty with it is plus-size models start from a size 10 to 12,' she said. 

'And the average size woman in the UK is a size 16, that’s why a lot of models don’t like to use the term plus size because they are a size 12, they’re not really above average. This is where the taboo comes [from].'

Felicity, who was scouted on a night out in London, worked alongside Tess on Simply Be's most size inclusive runway.  

Tess made headlines last week when she blasted her fellow plus-size models, telling Paper magazine: 'If someone googles "model" they're going to see Bella Hadid, or Gigi. If they [google] "plus-size model" they're going to see me.  

She has run a body positive movement and brand called Self Love Brings Beauty since 2015

She has run a body positive movement and brand called Self Love Brings Beauty since 2015

Tess Holliday (pictured) is a size 22 model who said she finds the term 'curve model' ridiculous and insulting 

Tess Holliday (pictured) is a size 22 model who said she finds the term 'curve model' ridiculous and insulting 

'I think it's incredibly frustrating that all these women capitalise off a marginalized group and when they become famous they are too good for it.' 

Felicity, who has a devoted social media following, acknowledged that 'plus size' is a term that empowers women around the world.   

'And [they] have used it in a way for it to be an empowering piece of information, like "we are plus size bloggers" or "we are plus size influencers",' she said. 

'But they are owning it because in the way that the fashion industry works, plus size women are always left at the back of the queue.' 

Felicity was scouted to be a model when she was seen out in a bar with friends in London

Felicity was scouted to be a model when she was seen out in a bar with friends in London

She explained that she understood why some models choose to avoid the term plus-sized

She explained that she understood why some models choose to avoid the term plus-sized

Felicity wants women to focus on accepting each other, rather than on labels.

She added: 'I’m so bored having to fight for plus size when really we should be fighting together. 

'There are a lot of girls that have hashtags that are specifically for curvy women, and I understand that I do, I’m not saying that the term is bad - but there are so many girl gangs going on a the moment and everyone just needs to support each other.'

Felicity has created a brand and movement called Self Love Brings Beauty, which promotes positivity, mental health, and confidence in both women and men. 

Her logo for the brand is a illustration of two hands making a heart shape, which she has proudly is printed across hoodies, t-shirts and bags.

Felicity pictured with Bashir, who has vitiligo and was also one of the models used in the campaign

Felicity pictured with Bashir, who has vitiligo and was also one of the models used in the campaign

Felicity explained that plus-size models start from a size 10 to 12, so not all women feel comfortable to be put in that bracket 

Felicity explained that plus-size models start from a size 10 to 12, so not all women feel comfortable to be put in that bracket 

She said: 'You should love yourself and know your worth as a person rather than any labels or any flaws. I personally think that society creates flaws to benefit on our insecurities, and that’s when you start to get messiness over what’s good and what’s not.'

She recently did a photo shoot for her campaign, where she invited along a variety of people to come and take part.  One of her models had Vitiligo, while another was an amputee.

Her focus of the campaign was about having a group of people of all different creeds, shapes, genders, to take part and to be seen as a 'collectively beautiful group of humans'. 

She added: 'Actually if we didn’t listen to the media and we just went f**k it, I’m amazing as I am, I’ve got this self love and confidence I don’t need labels and I’m great.' 

In a recent campaign she asked a group of people with completely different looks and styles to take part in the shoot

In a recent campaign she asked a group of people with completely different looks and styles to take part in the shoot

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