the creator of #effyourbeautystandards just got a major modeling contract

Tess Holliday (formerly known as Tess Munster), creator of the viral hashtag-turned-movement #effyourbeautystandards, just got signed to a major modeling agency—and she's the first of her size and height to do so. Holliday was "discovered" on Instagram by MiLk Model Management, where she has 332k followers. It's more than most models have, but then, she's not your average model: promoting a powerful, frequently quoted message of self-love, Holliday has become an inspiration for women everywhere. 

Like most women who don't fit into conventional beauty standards, Holliday spent most of her life being put down. For previous agencies, she wasn't tall or thin enough, and as reported by the Daily Mail, she said that despite her success, "I'm always still that 13-year-old girl in Mississippi who people told I wasn't good enough. I never could have imagined that I could be here." As for where here is? Aside from her new contract, she's already been featured in Vogue Italia as well as hundreds of other online magazines. 

Holliday's success is an important moment for the beauty industry. Though she's an exception (the agency reports that she's the largest model in their plus-sized division) her supportive, highly vocal fan-base proves that our culture is more than ready for models who break the mold. Eff your beauty standards, indeed. (Buzzfeed)