Lorna Jane's tentative move into body positivity embraced by a legion of fans

Just weeks after being encircled by controversy over her stance on 'plus-sized' women, it seems Lorna Jane Clarkson is set to diversify the sizing of her famous activewear.

The international brand's founder once declared she had no plans to ever stock plus sizes in Lorna Jane stores, which she said was due to a lack of customer demand. Further fanning the flames, Jane at the same time added her concerns about Australia's rising obesity epidemic.

But after enduring copious backlash, it looks like the brand is testing the waters. Lorna Jane this week shared a post on its social media channels of a model that many women pointed out on Facebook, represented the diversity of "shapes and sizes of beauty" in Australia. It marked a change from the usual images of thin women in various yoga and workout poses.

Captioned, "I am endlessly creating myself, for myself. #THISISACTIVELIVING," fans showed great support for the post with 10,000 likes and 600 comments on Facebook and 16,000 likes on Instagram - well above the brand's usual engagement.

"All women whether they have curves or not are real! Beautiful picture and glad to see that diversity is being represented more and more by your company," commented one woman on Facebook.

Another wrote, "Wonderful to know you support us [ladies] that don't have time to spend 3 hours at a gym each day but do enjoy the active lifestyle body… I feel more comfortable going to your stores now."

A different fan was quick to point out that while the inclusion of a "voluptuous" model was a change that the community should embrace, it was "not a reason to tear other women, including those who are smaller, down."

"I love that we are seeing a different sized model rocking LJ gear. This model looks just as fab in LJ as other models used in the past. We need to remember that we come in all different shapes and sizes. Well done Lorna Jane," another said.

In conjunction with the image, the brand creator has launched a Share Your Thoughts open space on the page encouraging women to give constructive feedback on the future of the brand, including expanding the current sizing charts.

"I am constantly searching for ways I can do better and feel it's my responsibility to ensure Lorna Jane lives up to your expectations. We would love nothing more than for Lorna Jane to lead the industry in sizes outside of common fashion industry standards and we need your help and support to get there," she wrote on the Lorna Jane website.

"I wholeheartedly embrace the Body Image Movement and what Taryn Brumfitt is doing to inspire women to love and embrace their bodies. This is completely aligned with my personal life philosophy and what the Lorna Jane brand has pioneered and embraced from the very beginning. When we all come together to support and inspire and love each other, nothing is impossible!"

The main consensus from the image was a desire for "plus-sizes", with one woman stating: "Absolutely love your clothes, but I can't fit them. Its very hard to find active wear and to lose weight in that are decent quality."

The Lorna Jane Facebook replied with: "Although we don't have plans to expand our size range now, if the demand continues to grow - we'll definitely make it happen. It's so important to remember that Active living isn't about how you look, it's about how it makes you FEEL - it's about so much more than what you wear."

When approached by Fairfax Media, Ms Clarkson and a Lorna Jane representative declined to comment.