In an industry often criticized for its narrow standards, Jade Fiona (better known to her 1.2M followers as JADEYBIRD) is a breath of fresh, Los Angeles air. The fashion creator, model, and body inclusivity advocate has built a powerhouse community by blending high-fashion credibility—like walking the NYFW runway for Adore Me—with a refreshingly real approach to mid-size style. Whether she’s de-stigmatizing body taboos like cellulite or styling viral looks for her girlfriend, Jade’s mission is to make personal expression feel both creative and accessible for everyone.
Fresh off the launch of her “Jadeyland” capsule collection with Lonely Ghost, we sat down with the rising voice to discuss her leadership in the LGBTQ+ fashion space, her “no-rules” philosophy on thrifting, and how she navigates the transition from viral TikTok creator to a trusted industry influence. —Noa Nichol
The “Mid-Size” Label: The fashion industry loves a category, but “mid-size” often feels like a polite way of saying “not sample size.” How do you reclaim that label without letting it box in your creativity or your Worth?
One of the most frequent comments I get on my MIDSIZE OOTD videos is “you’re not a size medium”, which honestly always makes me laugh. I think the biggest issue is a misunderstanding of what the term “midsize” actually means. In fashion, straight sizing typically ranges from 0-12, while plus sizing often starts around 18, leaving a space in the middle that doesn’t always get represented. “Midsize” is basically just a way of describing the people who fall into that gap. At the same time, I don’t let the word define me or limit what I wear. Our bodies aren’t categories, and we’re so much more important than our clothing size, and my weight is the least interesting thing about me. The label is more like a reference point than an identity. If it helps someone find outfit inspiration, feel a little more confident walking into a store, or realize their body isn’t the “problem” when the clothes don’t fit right, then I’m happy to use it. The goal has never been to fit perfectly into a label. It’s just about showing up, getting dressed, and sharing that process honestly. If calling something “midsize” helps someone feel seen or understood, gorg. But at the end of the day, it’s just about learning to love the body you have instead of fighting it.”
Dismantling the Taboo: You’re known for showing “unfiltered” realities like cellulite and stretch marks in your OOTDs. Why do you think the fashion world is still so terrified of skin texture, and what’s the most aggressive “gatekeeping” comment you’ve had to shut down?
It’s funny because I’ve become so desensitized to things like stretch marks, cellulite, and all the other completely normal things that happen to our bodies that we’ve been conditioned to try to hide. I wear short skirts and crop tops without a second thought; there’s no internal debate of “should I wear this?” just because I might not have the so-called ideal body type for it. When you show these things without making it a big, dramatic statement, it kind of breaks the illusion that they’re something shameful.
What I try to remind people (and myself) is that confidence doesn’t come from finally achieving some perfect version of your body. It comes from deciding your life is too big and too interesting to spend it worrying about how your cellulite looks in certain lighting. When you stop centering your body as the most important thing about you, everything else gets a lot lighter. I don’t revolve my life around trying to hide parts of myself anymore, and that mental shift has changed my LIFE!!!
The Jadeyland Manifesto: Your capsule collection with Lonely Ghost dropped on 12/12. If “Jadeyland” were a physical country, what would be the first law of fashion in your territory, and which trends would be strictly banned?
The first law of fashion in Jadeyland is that there are zero rules. I have a very strict rule: everyone should wear what they want, when they want, as long as they’re unapologetic about it and it makes them happy. As for my list of banned fashion rules:
- No putting together an outfit for the sole purpose of it being “flattering” on your body. If you want to dress like Adam Sandler? Work it, diva.
- No copying outfits exactly, taking Inspo is great, but your personal style is a non-negotiable. Make it yours!!
- Every outfit needs at least one accessory, no exceptions. Less is never more.
NYFW vs. Reality: Walking the Adore Me Cabaret show was a massive moment. Behind the glamour of the runway, what is the grittiest reality about being a body-inclusive model in a space that was historically built to exclude you?
Honestly, the hardest part was taking my own advice. Runway culture has been built to make models feel like they’re never enough, and body-inclusive models aren’t exempt from that. Imposter syndrome hits hard when you’re standing next to experienced size 2, 6-foot supermodels who’ve walked hundreds of shows.
From the highlight reel online, it probably looked like I was 100% confident and owning every step, but the truth is, I had anxiety all day, and I had to consciously tell myself: I do belong. I do matter. My representation matters. That mindset was the only way I made it through the day. Being a body-inclusive model in spaces that weren’t built for you isn’t just about showing up; it’s about believing you deserve to be there, even when every instinct in the room is telling you otherwise. And it’s steps like that that slowly open up the space to more people who look like me.
The Queer Lens: Your “Styling My Girlfriend” series went viral for more than just the clothes—it’s about lesbian visibility. How do you navigate the line between sharing your authentic relationship and protecting your private life from the “performative” demands of social media?
My whole life I’ve been a super private person, so beginning social media, where it seems the more you share, the more you get rewarded, was definitely a huge shift for me. I think I’m super intentional with the content I share or include my partner in. Anything we film or share is authentic, and because we were having fun, we never force it for the sake of content. I think that comes through the screen. While we share our relationship online for everyone to see, I feel like there’s still a mutual boundary between my audience and me that lets us have a layer of privacy and secrecy, which makes it feel so super special.
The Thrift Flip Philosophy: You’re a big advocate for thrifting. In a world of “ultra-fast fashion” hauls that dominate TikTok, how do you convince your audience that a $5 vintage find has more “clout” than a $500 trending item?
Let me ask you this, would you rather be wearing a $5 item that’s styled to perfection and gets everyone in the room jealous of your outfit and asking themselves, “where did she get that?” or the expensive matching set that’s trending on TikTok that 100’s of other girls have the exact copy of? Sure, both can be cute, but there’s just something so cool about wearing things because you genuinely loved it, not just because someone already told you they’re gonna look good. Thrifting allows you to use your creativity and push your own boundaries, and question your personal style. All of my favorite items in my closet are either thrifted, from the flea market, or vintage because I truly value uniqueness.
The “Confident” Burden: People often call you “brave” just for wearing a bikini or a crop top. Does that “bravery” narrative ever feel patronizing? How do we move from “brave” to just “normal”?
It’s exhausting. Since when did existing confidently in your body get labeled as “bravery,” as if it were some huge, courageous act? How come I can’t let my stretch marks breathe and my cellulite show without it being the elephant in the room? The only way to move forward is to just keep existing and keep showing up unapologetically. The more we allow ourselves to exist in our bodies happily without an introduction or applause, the faster we can normalize it.
Brand Partnerships & Soul: You’ve worked with giants like PUMA and H&M. What is the one thing a brand can do in a pitch meeting that makes you instantly realize they are “rainbow-washing” or “diversity-washing” rather than being truly inclusive?
I think only hearing from brands around Pride month can definitely raise some eyebrows. It’s normal to wonder, “Do you really wanna work with ME or are you just trying to check off a box”? It can be tricky to figure out a brand’s true intention, but over time, you start to get a feel for it. I trust my gut and look for brands that show consistency and genuinely care about inclusion, making it part of everything they do. At the end of the day, it’s about using your discernment and being willing to say no to collaborations that don’t feel authentic.
The Engineering of an Edit: Your content feels refreshingly raw but visually elevated. How do you balance the “messy” reality of body positivity with the high-gloss expectations of a fashion influencer?
I’ve always been really enamored with high fashion, even though that space hasn’t historically been the most inclusive of bodies like mine. So my goal has always been to bridge that gap a little. I want people to see that you don’t have to look like a runway model to participate in fashion in a big way. You can wear the dramatic outfit, the tiny skirt, the trend everyone says isn’t “for your body.” Style should be expressive, not exclusive. As for balancing raw and polished, I think both can exist side-by-side. I love a visually elevated outfit, but I’m not interested in pretending my body is perfectly smooth to wear it. You can have a great look and still have cellulite; both things can be true. At the end of the day, I’m just showing that fashion doesn’t have to be so serious. You can love clothes, experiment, and take up space in fashion exactly as you are.
The Next Frontier: You’ve conquered the runway, the digital space, and the design studio. What is the one industry “taboo” you’re planning to set on fire in 2026?
One of my biggest goals this year is actually to spend more time off my phone, which I know probably sounds a little ironic considering my job exists based on how much I show up on the internet.
But I’ve realized that being creative and being glued to your phone all day don’t really go hand in hand. Some of the best ideas come from actually living your life a little and letting yourself be a little bored from time to time.
Working on the collection with Lonely Ghost also made me realize how much I genuinely love designing. Seeing my design go from my brain to the sketchbook to being sold out online, to people tagging me in pictures of them styling the collection, has fulfilled me in ways I truly could never describe, and it’s reminded me that fashion has always been more than just posting outfits for me. My dream is to eventually have my own size-inclusive clothing line and design pieces that automatically make you feel like the coolest girl in the room. Mark my words – it’s coming sooner rather than later, get ready!!!
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