Mya Price’s philosophy is concise but cogent: “When we look good, we feel good. When we feel good, we generate positive energy that impacts the way we make others feel.” However, Price realized the fashion industry did not make “looking good” accessible for a significant segment of women. She says, “I observed a gap in the clothing selections for women considered to be plus-size. Since middle school, I've been a size fourteen. Despite numbers, all women deserve style and choice.”
So, in 2017, Price launched More Than Just Your Average (MTYA), an online vintage and thrift boutique for women size 12 and up who find it challenging to acquire inspiring pieces in a typical store. MTYA caters to individuals who want to “step outside of their comfort zone and embrace their originality.” Price says, “I believe all women should be celebrated through fashion, no matter their size or shape. All women deserve equal access to pieces that empower them every day and also put a smile on their face.”
Inspired from childhood by her grandmother's church outfits and mother’s colorful collection of accessories, Price believes in being bold and brilliant when it comes to both fashion and life. This is reflected in her favorite saying, "Be the fruit loop in a sea of cheerios." Price offers equally fearless style advice to women: "When you get dressed in the morning, do so in a way that allows you to feel like you can take on the world."
Price is a Lexington native who attended Paul Laurence Dunbar High School before going on to receive her BA from Centre College and a Master's degree from the College of Agriculture's Community and Leadership Development Program at the University of Kentucky. Price now resides in Washington DC where, alongside running MTYA, she works for Feeding America, a national hunger relief non-profit that serves as an umbrella organization for 200 food banks across the nation.
Though no longer a full-time resident of Lexington, Price cherishes her time here. She states, “I've enjoyed Lexington's continued progression and growth over time. Lexington is an ever-evolving city of hopes, dreams, passions, and a jewelry box of many untapped opportunities.”
As far as her own future and its possibilities, Price states, “I recognize I have the opportunity to reshape the plus-size conversation by empowering women; building encouragement and confidence; inspiring women to find their originality; and building a community of love, support, and inspiration. I'm powered to continue pushing, motivating, uplifting, and encouraging women around the world.”
Learn more and shop: www.morethanyouraverage.com
Follow Mya on Instagram: @morethanyouraverage
