Empire Waist Parent Guide

“Loving your body is a radical act.” So says Kayla (Jemima Yevu), a sassy, confident, irrepressible plus-size young woman, who is now seatmate to Lenore (Mia Kaplan) in their high school biology class.

Lenore could use the extra confidence, if only by proxy. Her mother’s obsession with Lenore’s weight has overshadowed her life, poisoning her self-concept and burying her talents under a weight of self-loathing. When Kayla cheerfully pushes herself into Lenore’s room, she discovers that Lenore is a gifted designer who sews playful, vibrant clothes – which she puts in a closet and never wears.

Kayla browbeats Lenore into making her a stunning red dress, which causes a sensation at school. Soon other students are clamoring for clothes, and Lenore finds herself sewing outfits for teens whose non-standard bodies make it difficult for them to shop at regular retail outlets. Buoyed by their enthusiasm, Lenore summons her courage and applies for a spot with the Fashion Institute New Designer Showcase. If she can make it to the finals, Lenore will be able to show her Empire Waist collection at New York Fashion Week.

It looks like Lenore’s headed for the stars, but there are obstacles in her way. Her mother’s body issues, the school bullies, and body shaming are challenging enough – but the biggest obstacles are within Lenore. Can she learn to trust others and love herself or will she succumb to her fear and return to a life of lonely invisibility?

Empire Waist is one of the better teen flicks I’ve seen lately. It’s mostly clean, with remarkably little profanity, violence, or graphic sexual content, and it imparts strong messages about self-esteem, acceptance, diversity, persistence, loyalty, and friendship. But where this movie shines is in its look at body image. There’s no glossing over Lenore’s toxic relationship with her body – her self-hatred, shame and guilt. She only makes clothes in her “goal size”, believing she isn’t worthy to have pretty clothes when she’s overweight. She can love others and boost their confidence, but she can’t do the same for herself. Watching her develop confidence and stand up for herself and her friends is rewarding and can give teens food for thought.

The movie isn’t perfect – some of the dialogue feels forced and the clothes Lenore makes are a 13-year-old’s idea of high fashion. But the lead actresses are strong enough to carry the movie through its rough patches. Mia Kaplan gives us a wounded, sensitive, kind Lenore and makes us root for her success. And Jemima Yevu’s Kayla steals every scene she’s in with her unstoppable self-confidence and infectious optimism. Even when she’s beaten down, we know she can’t help but bounce back.

There’s no doubt that Empire Waist simplifies the challenges teens face in high school. But its messages of self-acceptance, inclusion, kindness, and hope are always applicable. Just like an empire waist dress, these values work for everybody.