On October 8, over 600 excited guests gathered at Paddington’s Town Hall to join the likes of Emily Ratajkowski, Remi Bader, Maria Thattil and more exciting guests at the inaugural BODfest 2022 – a one-day mini-fest, focused on body confidence and self-love, presented by OGX and powered by Australia’s most loved magazine brands including marie claire, ELLE and The Australian Women’s Weekly.
With more joining online to watch inspiring international and local talent discussed all things body love, sex, mental health, parenting, wellness, and inclusive beauty and fashion, the day was filled with positive, sisterhood vibes, and these are the things we loved most.
1. Virtual Chats with International Faves
To kick start the day, international actress, model and author, Emily Ratajkowski joined virtually to unpack her relationship with her body, and explored her views on social media, the modelling industry and the rise in the sexualisation of girls.
Followed up by New York-based content creator and curve model queen Remi Bader. This social media fave discussed her experience of becoming the global ambassador for fashion inclusivity, through her honest and unfiltered TikTok clothing hauls.
2. The Runway Show
TV personality, podcaster and entrepreneur, Jules Robinson presented the runway show with looks from her fashion labels FIGUR and Moira Rose.
Exploring the latest looks from her stylish collections, covering everything from supportive shapewear to vibrant dresses, she also talked further on ‘What is Fashion Inclusivity?’
3. Getting Styled by Aussie Fashion Icons
‘The Glow Up’ styling session, presented by White Glo, was hosted by Aussie fashion influencers Ginger and Carmen. Bringing their eclectic and quirky style to the stage, their helpful tips and hacks proved that you can feel great in what you wear at any age or budget.
4. Insightful Panel Sessions
Across the day there were six panel sessions that covered topics like inclusivity, mental health, sex and body positivity. In the ‘Inclusive Fashion’ panel session, self-proclaimed “Fat Activist” Dani Adriana, Designers Molly and Emma from JAM The Label and Indigenous consultant Jarin Baigent talked about how the fashion industry can meaningfully advocate for fashion inclusivity.
In a chat with podcast host and cancer fighter, Courtney Mangan and Scott Maggs, CEO of the Skin Check Champions, the ‘Living with Purpose’ panel session, presented by La Roche-Posay, was all about how you deal with the impact of a major life event. Furthermore, how do you come back from a life-changing event?
In the ‘Journey Back’ panel featuring Journey to Worthy Founder, Vanessa Haldane, How I Quit Alcohol podcast founder, Danni Carr and Burns survivor and body-positive content creator, Brianna Creenaune, they discuss their own personal stories of reclaiming your sense of worth and identity after life throws you the unexpected or unthinkable.
Encouraging each and everyone of us to be bold and brave when it comes to mental health, the ‘Brave Together’ panel session, presented by Maybelline, featured mental health advocate and TV Personality, Brooke Blurton, TikTok Sensation, AJ Clementine, Content Creator, Dom Ski and Reach Out Ambassador, Portia.
The ‘Normal Sex’ panel session with former escort and journalist, Amanda Goff and TV Personality, Maria Thattil, was all about breaking sex-stereotypes and encouraging sexual empowerment through open and honest conversation and experimentation.
In the last panel of the day, Australian personalities – Moana Hope, Amy Sheppard and Isabella Manfredi engaged in an in-depth discussion around how they have managed to navigate life in the public eye, motherhood and, most importantly, the challenges of keeping positive.
5. Pop-ups Pampering & Refreshments
A beautiful day was made even more stunning with the awesome pop-ups and activations. The OGX salon was set up for pampering, with beauty treatments to refresh guests, and La Roche-Posay were doing skin-checks.
At the Grey Goose pop-up bar there were spritzes and healthy Lakanto snacks to indulge in, and the latest looks were on display at the FIGUR shapewear pop-up store.
This article originally appeared on our sister site, WHO.