Plus-Size Model Tess Holliday Starts Hashtag - #EffYourBeautyStandards

Tess Holliday, real names Tess Munster, is 5-foot-5, and a size 22. But she's also a fashion model, and widely regarded as the first of her size and height to be signed to a major agency. Tess was discovered on Instagram, read here, after posting unapologetic pictures of herself in whatever she liked to wear and feel comfortable in.

Tess, who was named one of the top plus-size models in the world by Vogue Italia and Refinery 29, was signed by MiLk Model Management. This coming after she was told she was too short and too heavy to work as a model after she attended a casting session as a teen.

Tess Holliday recalls she endured a lot of bullying growing up, even outside of modelling. She says the painful part is that people try particularly hard to bring her down because of her body type. She told the Huffington Post she still receives up to hundreds of negative comments a day.

“Everybody deserves to be happy, but for some reason the fact that I happen to be plus-size and happy seems to bother people. It’s odd really.”

“I understand not everyone understands what I’m about. But to me it’s such a simple concept. It’s all about loving your body regardless of your size and chasing your dreams.”

Now, the 29-year-old, has started the movement #EffYourBeautyStandards to encourage other women to celebrate their bodies, no matter their shape. And it is taking off and becoming a movement that other women can identify with.

I absolutely love this photo. I am beautiful and I ain't gonna let no one bring me down #effyourbeautystandards 💕 pic.twitter.com/iOfILmWAdB
— The Tiger Chick (@TigerChick_) January 26, 2015

Diggin mah face today. ;) #Effyourbeautystandards pic.twitter.com/JmzSZnPkeg
— Samantha Hutton (@slow_invaders) January 18, 2015

"Your body is the house you grew up in, how dare you try to burn it to the ground." #effyourbeautystandards pic.twitter.com/Jg08HVnkwg
— Felisha (@felishacarolle) January 18, 2015

I'm wearing leggings with a wild pattern today because someone told me they'd make big legs look even bigger. #effyourbeautystandards
— J. (@OttilieBear) January 26, 2015

I'm wearing leggings with a wild pattern today because someone told me they'd make big legs look even bigger. #effyourbeautystandards
— J. (@OttilieBear) January 26, 2015

I'm wearing leggings with a wild pattern today because someone told me they'd make big legs look even bigger. #effyourbeautystandards
— J. (@OttilieBear) January 26, 2015

@TessMunster inspires me to love my self and the skin I'm in. Thank you 😍#bodypositivity #effyourbeautystandards pic.twitter.com/MjQ1OkdV8Q
— Ashley Chyahne (@Ashley_Chyahne) January 14, 2015