YSU fashion program host fashion show promoting body positivity

Promoting body positivity is the goal of YSU's EveryBODY Fashion Show.

12 students in the Fashion Show Productions class presented a variety of styles and trends to the crowd with about 150 models of all shapes and sizes.

This annual event has been taking place since 2013. The show is put on every year to honor Danielle Peters, a former student who died from an eating disorder in 2012.

"The event is really important because we all struggle at some point with our body image," said Jennifer Frank, Professor of Fashion Merchandising at YSU. "And this show shows that you're beautiful for what's inside your heart and your mind and not what's on the outside."

About 50 students and 100 community members modeled in the show at Beeghly Center. The modeled wore a variety of clothing pieces from Mahoning Valley boutiques.

The National Eating Disorders Association states that 9% of the U.S. population or 28.8 million Americans will experience an eating disorder in their lifetime.

Eating disorder counselors were also on-site, offering information and support to students and attendees who may be struggling.

"We are proud this continues to be an annual event," Frank added. "This is to raise awareness of eating disorders and to keep Danielle's memory in everyone's minds."

To learn more about YSU's Fashion Studies, click here.