Fashion Brand Comes Under Fire on TikTok For Refusing to …

A start-up clothing label is mired in controversy after the owner said she doesn’t think brands need to be size-inclusive.

On Oct. 15, Marie Efstratiou, owner of Australian brand Chimaera, shared a TikTok of her applying makeup with superimposed text that said, “Brands don’t need to stock sizes XXXXL. You need to choose health and drop to a safe size.” In the caption, she wrote, “Ppl gon be mad but it be true.”

As expected, TikTok wasn’t happy with Efstratiou’s comments. But she stood by her remarks, telling Australian outlet News.com.au that she doesn’t regret what she said.

“My post is addressing brands not having to stock such extreme sizes. I don’t believe that to be fatphobic,” she explained. “Not all brands need to be ‘inclusive’ and if people have an issue with that, then the issue lies within themselves.”

She said that those who are offended by her remarks should deal with their insecurities. “Being inclusive isn’t what I am trying to be nor the audience I’m targeting,” she added. “I don’t care (about) the people who had an issue with the post, so having them not purchase from my brand does not pose an issue.”

“People who take everything personally are the people with a victim mentality, and they are definitely not my target audience,” she added. “In conclusion, yes, I stand by my comments. I’m not one to make a statement and not stand by it.”

Chimaera’s collection includes hoodies and sweatpants in sizes from small to large and ranges in price from $190 (about $123 USD) to $150 ($97 USD).