Curvy model who spent '15 years at war' with her body urges 'wear the damn bikini.'

Curve model Soph Hughes, 32, celebrates her body and encourages other women to do the same Soph, who now sported a size 16 body and an 18cm scar running across her stomach, was once-reportedly embarrassed by her appearance to wear baggy swimwear. Now she uses Instagram to share her body with 78.7K followers and a message of self-love.

**Today, Soph Hughes, 32, proudly flaunts her size 16 figure** (Image: Cover Images)

Yet Soph finding equanimity with herself was not a walk in the park. A couple of years ago, she postponed everything to fly back from Sydney to the UK so that she could give part of her liver to her nephew Oscar, who was suffering from a critical liver condition. I was a match, so I instantly said yes,’ she says. She was left with a huge scar after the operation, and her recovery took a toll on her body but also mentally. I put on weight quickly — roughly four dress sizes — and was not ready to expose the scar to anyone.

**‘I want people to know that you don’t need to shrink yourself’** (Image: sophwithlove/Instagram)

As time passed, though, even Soph’s scar became a fixture in her mind as a badge of honour—a mark that held the tale of another life saved. She began to accept her curvy figure and started curve modeling, where she worked with the likes of M&S, Asics and Porsche. I saved a life, so why should I be embarrassed over the way my body works? she said, and clients appreciate the diversity that her scar represents. Modeling turned into a celebration of her path, and she now encourages other women to learn to appreciate their scars and bodies.

**She gained 4 dress sizes after the op** (Image: Cover Images)

Now, Soph gets messages from around the globe telling her that seeing her photos helps give them confidence and she is determined to use her platform to spread the body-positive movement. She explains, “It is so important to be able to see people who look like you because representation matters. “We have to be able to see diversity in campaigns from scars through curves.” Frequently speaking in the body positivity wheels, her guidance when appearing as keynote speaker focuses on the acceptance of oneself and that people do not need to conform to any particular body type.

**She spent 15 years at war with her body** (Image: @sophwithlove/Instagram)

And if you’re dealing with issues surrounding body image, Soph has this advice: “Don’t shrink yourself to fit in spaces you’ve outgrown.” So, for the love of all things holy, wear the damn bikini.