Author, host, media personality, and founder of Megababe Beauty Katie Sturino is a trailblazer in her industry. Sturino is an advocate for body positivity and has started serious conversations in the fashion industry.
In the Q&A below, Sturino tells Spotlight everything from her acceptance journey to entrepreneurship and her favorite trends right now.
You started your career working in Public Relations. How did this inspire you to create your fashion blog?
Working in PR for years opened my eyes to the holes and opportunities in the industry. I found that there were opportunities to serve plus size women—and I took it!
What were some of the biggest challenges you faced starting your blog 12ishstyle? How did you overcome them?
I think it’s really difficult from being on the other side of things where you’re pitching and always highlighting other people’s brands to being in front of the camera where you have to not just show what shoes you’re where but also just a bit more about your life. That was very uncomfortable and it was hard to even learn how to get photographed.
You’re also the host of the BoobsSweat podcast where you talk about inclusivity, womanhood, dating, friendship, and more. Do you feel podcasting has helped you create a deeper connection with your followers? How so?
Yea! I think it allows people who want to deep dive into an issue that is only being touched on in a 30 second video and I find that valuable. Freezing your eggs, fertility, and divorce are things that aren’t often easy to capture in short-form content.
You founded Megababe Beauty in 2017. What has been the most rewarding moment since starting this company?
Just this morning I got a message from someone who ran the Chicago Marathon and said they used our chafe stick and she couldn’t believe how well it worked. She said it saved her from chafing while one of her friends who also ran the marathon scarred. I love hearing from people every single day who love Megababe. It’s changed a lot of people’s lives and allows them to wear things they didn’t think they could. For me, that’s the best part of the job.
As a female entrepreneur, how do you empower yourself and other women around you?
I am a firm believer in no gatekeeping, but rather connecting people and sharing information. Women are taught that there are only so many spots available so we need to look at other women as competitors—and I am firming against that. I like to support other women’s brands. I love women-owned businesses!
What inspires you to talk about “taboo” topics such as women’s health, divorce, and body acceptance? Have you ever found it difficult to speak on these topics? Why or why not?
Yes, definitely. I think these are things are things I was so ashamed of my whole life so shining a light into those areas meant I had to face everything I had a hard time with or was given a hard time about. That was very difficult and I had to do a lot of growing.
What brands do you feel do an exceptional job at being inclusive?
Never Fully Dressed—they just opened a store in SoHo! They’re a UK-based brand and have a physical store where you can try stuff on which is, sadly, a unique experience for plus-size women. Dia & Co. is doing a great job, they carry so many different brands and styles. J. Crew is also really killing it!
What are some of your favorite female-owned companies?
I’m wearing a Tanya Taylor skirt and sweater right now—I love Tanya Taylor. She also has done an amazing job at being size-inclusive. Alice Mushrooms is a brand that makes non-psychedelic mushrooms for energy and nighttime—I’m loving them right now. Also, I love this app called Out of Office which is run by two women in Chicago. It helps you plan your vacation/find spots to go to while you’re on vacation. It’s like a cooler Tripadvisor. Tata Harper Skincare as well—I did her moisture mask last night.
What is one fashion trend you believe belongs in the past? Why?
The trend of not being able to wear certain things because you’re a certain size or age. I think the ‘rules’ of fashion should pretty much be done.
What is your favorite trend right now?
Buckle up! I am very excited for the return of belts. I love belts.
How can we educate and inspire young women to appreciate their bodies?
I grew up watching women talk badly about their bodies and dieting which made me have those conversations with myself about my own body. I think if we need to do the work to change our perceptions the generations below us can feel that energy. There are organizations you can follow and find to make you feel less alone and more inspired. I think we’re making great changes.
What work do you believe needs to be done to make the fashion industry more inclusive?
We have to keep going with representing multiple body types, not just one ideal image, and stick with it. We also need realignment with what body size means. A lot of people I follow are changing the narrative about health. Instead of “I’m going to the gym to lose a few pounds,” I’ve seen a lot of people shift to “I’m going to the gym so I can lift my 20-pound kid 100 times a day without my back breaking.” I’m really enjoying the shift in conversation that I am seeing.
Who are some of your favorite influencers/advocates you’ve met? Why?
I love Nicolette Mason, Hunter McGrady, and Cece Olisa—there are so many. When I started there were so few of us, but 10 years later countless women are talking about this. I am so happy about that.
What are three beauty items you can’t live without?
My Megababe Thigh Rescue, Clé de Peau Undereye Concealer, and my Kosas Sport Lip Fuel.
You are the author of Body Talk. How was writing a book different from writing blogs? What was the best part about it?
Writing a book is so different from writing a blog. I feel like the internet culture is that you write something, send it out, and then it’s gone. Books, you have to revisit, edit, and re-read. That is painful for me—it’s hard to do.
The best part about writing my book is connecting with people and hearing the impact it has had on other’s relationships with their bodies. I love Body Talk, it’s really special to me. It’s not a book that goes out of style. You can gift it to someone five years from now, no matter their age.
How do you see your community growing within the next few years?
I think social media platforms continue to evolve and where people are seeing you can change, but my messaging will stay the same. A lot of people think I speak to just plus-size women but it’s really all women of all sizes.
I want to teach all women to embrace their bodies. I started to accept myself because of the smaller women in my life who couldn’t accept their bodies. I figured if all these thin women aren’t happy, then what am I trying to do? I will continue to inspire women to level up and find their power. And of course, to stop focusing on being small.
