Theresa Avila

Bio

Theresa is a staff writer covering all things style for Mic. A recent graduate of Columbia Journalism School, Theresa did radio reporting and focused on the public education system in New York City. She's a proud member of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists and was part of its 2015 Student Projects. You can send her a note in English, español, or Spanglish at theresa@mic.com.
GabiFresh's Latest Plus-Size Swimsuit Collection Has Cup Sizes That Go Up to "H"
By Theresa Avila
Gabi Gregg, better known as GabiFresh, is back with her latest collection for plus-size swimwear retailer Swimsuitsforall. The plus-size blogger has been working with the company for four years now, turning out colorful, playful bathing suits for…
The Most Popular Plus-Size Yoga Star on Instagram Just Called BS on the Yoga Lifestyle
By Theresa Avila
Jessamyn Stanley isn't afraid to call it how it is. Due to her bigger size, the yoga teacher and self-proclaimed "Fat Femme" has built a sizable fan base on social media by breaking stereotypes about who can practice yoga.  The first stereotype…
Rachel Bloom Just Dished Out the Most Delightfully Honest Talk About Red Carpet Fashion
By Theresa Avila
Rachel Bloom's speech at the 2016 Golden Globe Awards made her a solid candidate for Hollywood's sweetheart this awards season. Watching her climb on stage, hoist her trophy and deliver the most endearing acceptance speech (see that here) made it…
Here's What Tess Holliday Really Thinks About the Word "Fat"
By Theresa Avila
"I love the word 'fat.'" That's not a common sentiment. For being a very small word, "fat" carries plenty of nasty connotations. But it doesn't have to be that way, according to body-positive activists. At a panel hosted by Refinery29 on Thursday…
Amandla Stenberg Sums Up the True Beauty of Embracing Natural Hair
By Theresa Avila
Teen Vogue just revealed its cover star for its February issue, and it's none other than Amandla Stenberg: And, of course, Stenberg is nothing but open, candid and eloquent on the issues that matter — including hair. The 17-year-old actress is…
Forever 21's Plus-Size Workout Collection — and Its Stars — Send an Important Message
By Theresa Avila
Forever 21 announced Wednesday it has a new collection of athletic gear, which includes a line for curvier women — and it features plus-size models who are proud body-positive activists.  The workout gear, which the retailer has been promoting…
Marc Jacobs Casts Trans Director Lana Wachowski for Ads Celebrating "Beauty of Equality"
By Theresa Avila
On Wednesday, Marc Jacobs made a special announcement on his Instagram: "It is with an overwhelmingly full heart that I share this first portrait of our Spring/Summer 2016 ad campaign. Lana Wachowski." Wachowski's portrait shows her with her…
L'Oreal Just Debuted a Skin Patch that Helps Detect When You're About to Get a Sunburn
By Theresa Avila
A little fun in the sun never hurt anybody — until, of course, someone gets sunburned. But by the time that sunburn appears, it's usually too late a sign that the body has been exposed to too many of the sun's harmful ultraviolet rays, which is…
The Most-Liked Instagram Photo of All Time Required a Whole Lot of Help, Apparently
By Theresa Avila
In 2015, Kendall Jenner dethroned her older sister Kim Kardashian on Instagram with this photo: Jenner's photo of herself lying on the floor with her hair shaped into little hearts garnered so many likes it became the most-liked photo on Instagram…
Your Star Sign Could Determine Your Beauty Routine — Or at Least Just Make It More Fun
By Theresa Avila
Reading the product descriptions on the back of perfumes designed for your star sign is an exercise in flattery. The box for the libra perfume — my zodiac sign — reminds me that I'm able to balance "elegance, wit and mischief with legendary skill."…
This Self-Heating Sneaker Is the Perfect Shoe for People Who Are Always Cold
By Theresa Avila
If you need to scrounge up money for your next pair of designer sneakers, you can save some cash by skipping on wool socks. French company Digitsole has unveiled some new, futuristic shoes that warm up your feet — literally.  The shoes, unveiled at…
Dolce and Gabbana's New Ads Feature "Chinese Tourists" in Italy
By Theresa Avila
In recent seasons, Dolce & Gabbana's advertising campaigns have been crowded montages with multiple models of varying ages, who all appear to be Italian, or at least evoke that stereotypical look while paying tribute to the design duo's native,…
This iPhone Case May Up Your Selfie Game to Beyoncé Levels
By Theresa Avila
When it comes to taking great selfies, you've got essentially two things to work with: composition and lighting. (Since, you already have the subject matter down, obviously.) Which is why the buzziest new iPhone case, Ty-Lite, may be a game-changer.…
There's Something Missing From the Korean Makeup Beauty Craze
By Theresa Avila
In case you hadn't noticed, Korean beauty products are having a moment.  Ever since the rise of BB creams in 2011, beauty products hailing from South Korea have been all the rage among makeup lovers. Americans' desire for beautiful, luminous skin…
Dascha Polanco Has a Message to the Clothing Brands That Only Make Small Sizes
By Theresa Avila
Dascha Polanco loves her body and loves showing it off in the latest trends. But that hasn't always been easy to do in a fashion industry that favors small sizes. In an video interview with RollingOut, Polanco, who stars on the Netflix show Orange…
Native American Designers Are Behind More Clothes Than You May Realize
By Theresa Avila
Native American fashion is often greatly appreciated by designers and shoppers — that is, if you count the times where Native-influenced designs pop up on runways or go on sale on socks and T-shirts at the mall. Yet rarely are Native Americans…
This T-Shirt for Girls Has the Internet Pissed at Old Navy
By Theresa Avila
Clothing companies, beware: If you're thinking of putting any text on a kid's T-shirt, you're likely going to screw up. Or at the very least, face the ire of the internet. That's the situation Old Navy finds itself in after Twitter users discovered…
Halal Makeup Is the Beauty "Trend" to Pay Attention to Next Year
By Theresa Avila
First there were organic foods. Then there was the host of products with "all-natural" ingredient filling our kitchen cabinets then our medicine cabinets. Soon enough, our makeup started featuring similar kinds of labels, from "vegan" to…
A Bra "Try-On" Truck Going to Drive Around to Help Women Find the Best Bras
By Theresa Avila
Shopping for bras is a nuisance. There are the ill-fitting cups, the too-tight straps, the scratchy lace. On top of that, as is standard practice, we have to drag ourselves to a store to try on the darn things, shedding our clothes in cold dressing…
Plus-Size Model Ashley Graham's 'Sports Illustrated' Ad Was One of Top Moments of 2015
By Theresa Avila
If there's any reason Sports Illustrated's swimsuit issue matters, this would be it. Ashley Graham is one of the top "plus-size" models working in fashion right now, but it was her groundbreaking inclusion this year in an advertisement in this…