Gina Heslop
Ella Halikas, a bold and confident plus-size model, is showing the world that fashion doesn’t have to be limited to certain body types.
Recently, she went viral for recreating famous celebrity outfits, proving that style is about confidence, not just size. By imitating iconic looks from stars like Julia Fox, Halikas is inspiring a new conversation about self-acceptance and body positivity.
She hopes her example will encourage others, regardless of their body shape, to feel beautiful and to experiment with new looks without hesitation.
One of the trends Halikas embraced was Julia Fox’s low-rise fashion, which many curvier women found intimidating. She noticed many women on TikTok hesitating to try this look, feeling self-conscious about their bodies.
Inspired by their reluctance, Halikas decided to recreate the style to show that anyone can pull off bold looks if they wear them with confidence. She emphasizes that confidence, not body type, makes any outfit work, and believes that feeling good on the inside reflects in one’s appearance.
For one of her recreations, Halikas even ventured into a grocery store in Beverly Hills, mirroring Fox’s supermarket style. She highlighted the importance of how a person carries themselves, explaining that feeling mentally strong and self-assured allows anyone to look their best.
Halikas says that if she went in looking insecure, people would likely judge her, but by walking tall and showing confidence, she transformed the look. This approach, she believes, is key to pulling off any style.
Halikas’ journey to the spotlight began in 2021 when she was featured in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit edition, photographed by Yu Tsai. Inspired by other plus-size icons like Ashley Graham, she felt that appearing in the magazine was a dream come true.
Now, she’s dedicated to inspiring other women, especially those with similar body types, to embrace their uniqueness. She encourages a mindset called “body neutrality,” which means accepting and loving one’s body while allowing room for improvement.
In her daily life, Halikas maintains a healthy lifestyle by incorporating activities like Pilates, weightlifting, soccer, hot yoga, and jogging. For her, fitness isn’t about losing weight but feeling strong and boosting her mental health.
She advises people to ignore the fear of being judged at the gym, as most people are focused on themselves. Halikas feels empowered when she’s in a class with smaller people, seeing it as a celebration of her strength and capability.
She advises against comparing oneself to others, especially during the summer when many flaunt their bodies in bikinis. Halikas believes that the true power lies in embracing one’s uniqueness. She knows that self-acceptance can be challenging, but the journey to loving oneself is worthwhile.
Another plus-size fashion influencer, Katie Sturino, also challenges fashion industry standards.
Known for recreating celebrity looks, Sturino uses humor and honesty to highlight the struggles of plus-size women, from finding trendy clothes to dealing with thigh chafing.
Sturino’s advocacy has brought attention to issues like size inclusivity, as she urges brands to make fashionable clothes for all body types.
Both Halikas and Sturino are paving the way for inclusivity in fashion, encouraging women everywhere to embrace their bodies and express their style confidently.
They remind everyone that beauty and fashion have no size limit.
