The Real Bodies Manifesto is an initiative of Retrofit Republic and Thick Dumpling Skin forged for the purpose of expanding diverse representations of Asian American Pacific Islanders.
We believe there is no singular body type, skin color, gender expression, or language that can encapsulate this diverse community.
This Manifesto is a declaration that our bodies exist, with all its contradictions and inherent beauty.
These are our stories.
RETROFIT REPUBLIC + THICK DUMPLING SKIN7
THE REAL BODIES MANIFESTO6
“I would like to debunk the perception that all Asian women are rail thin and pale. I am none of these things, and it is ok. There are Asian women who are larger in size, happy, and healthy.”
THE REAL BODIES MANIFESTO10
RETROFIT REPUBLIC + THICK DUMPLING SKIN11
“It is important that the mass media is aware that we have our own stories, and they often intersect with everyone else in the world. We are a part of the narrative.”
RETROFIT REPUBLIC + THICK DUMPLING SKIN15
“Even though I don’t occupy a lot of space, I don’t let my short stature limit the good I do.”
“I seek to not only empower myself and others who have also survived violence and trauma, but to reclaim our entitlements to safety whether it’s at home, at work, our communities, and our very own bodies.”
THE REAL BODIES MANIFESTO22
RETROFIT REPUBLIC + THICK DUMPLING SKIN23
“ I still find it hard to love something about myself. I’m working on it. Some days I love my hair. Some days I love my eyes. It’s a process, and I’m getting there.”
THE REAL BODIES MANIFESTO26
“Dear Mass Media (and the people who control the media),
I am not your fetish, your scapegoat, your weak, your timid. I am not your object. I am the subject of my story. And I tell my story on my terms.
Love, Manish”
“My body is tight in some areas and sags in others, tan in some areas and pale in others, but what is most important is that
it’s mine, and it’s the only one I’ve got. I make do with what it gives me, and
I work it accordingly. When I’m in my zone, the whole world is a runway and I am walking.”
THE REAL BODIES MANIFESTO32
RETROFIT REPUBLIC + THICK DUMPLING SKIN33
YUMI PAKThe Scholar Activist
My body is
RETROFIT REPUBLIC + THICK DUMPLING SKIN35
“Some of us are filthy-mouthed, deviant radicals, thank you very much.”
THE REAL BODIES MANIFESTO36
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERSJENNY TON & JULIA RHEECO-FOUNDERS, RETROFIT REPUBLICRETROFITREPUBLIC.COM
LISA LEECO-FOUNDER, THICK DUMPLING SKINTHICKDUMPLINGSKIN.COM
RETROFIT REPUBLIC + THICK DUMPLING SKIN39
PHOTOGRAPHERALBERT LAW
PORKBELLYSTUDIO.COM
LOOKBOOK DESIGNERLAWRENCE GUZMAN
DESIGNBYLAW.NET
RETROFIT REPUBLIC + THICK DUMPLING SKIN41
THE REAL BODIES MANIFESTO40
WARDROBE & STYLINGJENNY TON & JULIA RHEE
MAKE-UP ARTISTJULIE DY
JULIEDY.COM
SARAH MAEANN
THE REAL BODIES MANIFESTO42
RETROFIT REPUBLIC + THICK DUMPLING SKIN43
HAIR STYLISTRENEE AMINYARFACEBOOK.COM/RENEE-AMINYAR-VANITY
THE REAL BODIES MANIFESTO44
RETROFIT REPUBLIC + THICK DUMPLING SKIN45
SPECIAL THANK YOU PIGMENT COSMETICS STUDIOS, SAN FRANCISCO
POST PRODUCTION SUPPORTLAWRENCE GUZMAN
PRODUCTION ASSISTANTALVINA KWONG