Mikayla Wain becomes a face of Swimwear Galore marketing campaign

ANY fuller figured woman who has walked onto a beach knows how daunting it can be, but these plus-size women reckon the key is self confidence and the right cossie.

Mikayla Wain (second from right) with other models in the plus size swimwear campaign. Picture: Dave Blake

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ANY woman who has slipped on a cossie and walked onto a beach would be able to vouch for how daunting that can be for those with a fuller figure.

In an era where thin is in and being bigger can attract a barrage of “body shaming”, a Glenning Valley woman has become one of the faces of the body image movement.

Mikayla Wain, 20, has teamed up with swimwear retailer, Swimwear Galore and Body Image Movement to encourage Australian women to embrace their curves, stretch marks, cellulite and scars on the beach this summer.

In a marketing strategy with a positive message, the Victorian swimwear retailer has released refreshing new images featuring five everyday women from around the country — including Ms Wain.

Mikayla Wain has become one of the faces of a plus size swimwear campaign. Picture: Dave Blake

Sizes range from 10 to 20, ages from 20 to 53, and the photographs are designed to make women feel more compforable about their shape.

Founder of the Body Image Movement Taryn Brumfitt says Australian women are tired of only seeing one type of airbrushed model when they are shopping for swimwear online and in store.

“There’s a direct correlation between the way the media portrays women and the way women report feeling about their bodies. With the rise of social media, we’re finding that apps like Instagram negatively impact a woman’s body image.”

Mikayla Wain knows only too well how hard it is to be full-figured in a thin world.

In 2015 she was one of the top 15 dancers in Australia. It was her first experience on the national stage — and her harshest encounter with body shaming.

Mikayla Wain (left) with other models in the plus size swimwear campaign. Picture: Dave Blake

“I was told that I didn’t deserve my rank because I was plus-sized and the other dancers would take every opportunity to tear me down,” Ms Wain said.

“The reality was as a plus-sized girl, I worked twice as hard to get to where I was. It was a very tough time, I lost people I considered friends and I chose not to return the following year”.

Now she’s found the courage and strength to hit back to her body shamers and has returned to competitive dancing with renewed self-confidence.

“I used to look in a mirror every morning and criticise every flaw and imperfection I could find so I decided to reverse the process and start looking for things I loved like my smile or eyes. It sounds simple but it does so much mentally”.

Taryn Brumfitt says Australian women are tired of only seeing one type of airbrushed model when they are shopping for swimwear online Pic Jono Searle.

Mikayla says that retailers shouldn’t try to pigeonhole body shapes and force specific styles based on their shape.

“Swimwear that fits me is typically dark coloured and has so much extra material that it doesn’t feel good. I feel my best in bright bold colours and patterns, with a high cut or cheeky cut with ruching. We shouldn’t be made to feel we can only wear one type of bathers.”

Caz Skudar, co-owner of retail group Swimwear Galore, notes that the pressure to have the ‘perfect’ body seems to increase along with the temperature.