Model Charli Howard has posted an angry open letter on Facebook slamming her modelling agency after she was repeatedly told she was "too big" or "out of shape" to work, according to The Huffington Post.
Charli did not name the agency, but said despite being a UK size 6, she was told to "lose an inch" off her hips.
“Here’s a big F YOU to my (now ex) model agency, for saying that at 5’ 8” tall and a UK size 6-8 (naturally), I’m ‘too big’ and ‘out of shape’ to work in the fashion industry. I will no longer allow you to dictate to me what’s wrong with my looks and what I need to change in order to be ‘beautiful’ (like losing one f****ing inch off my hips), in the hope it might force you to find me work" she began.
Here's a big FUCK YOU to my (now ex) model agency, for saying that at 5"8 tall and a UK size 6-8 (naturally), I'm "too... > >
Posted by [Charli Howard](#) on [Tuesday, October 13, 2015](https://www.facebook.com/charlipies/posts/10206597439207146)
“I refuse to feel ashamed and upset on a daily basis for not meeting your ridiculous, unobtainable beauty standards, whilst you sit at a desk all day, shovelling cakes and biscuits down your throats and slagging me and my friends off about our appearance"
“The more you force us to lose weight and be small, the more designers have to make clothes to fit our sizes, and the more young girls are being made ill. It’s no longer an image I choose to represent. I cannot miraculously shave my hip bones down. Let’s face the facts: when I was 7 and a half stone, I still wasn’t thin enough for you. When I went to the gym 5 hours a week, you still weren’t finding me work. I can’t win.”
“In case you hadn't realised, I am a woman. I am human. I cannot miraculously shave my hip bones down, just to fit into a sample size piece of clothing or to meet 'agency standards'. I have fought nature for a long time, because you've deemed my body shape too “curvaceous”, but I have recently began to love my shape. I don't have big boobs, but my bum is ok, a large majority of my clients are ok with this.” she added.
Howard revealed she was “blown away” by the support she received from women and those in the fashion industry - and says she will keep modelling, on her own terms.
She wrote: “My mental and physical health is of more importance than a number on a scale, however much you wish to emphasise this.”
Charli's comments come after Swedish model Agnes Hedengard posted an angry Youtube video about being constantly told to lose weight by the industry, and how she was learning to love and accept her body.