Passionate about Plus Size

By 2012 Women’s Plus size is projected to grow to 62.4 billion dollars, a massive growth of 20%!

In the US this is catered for by some great plus size brands such as Igigi and Kiyonna, plus a number of high street names.

In general the UK market follows four years behind US size trends, so with such a large market for the future are we prepared here in the UK?

Many high street brands in the UK are starting to realise they need to cater for a more diverse size range, including plus sizes, and the choice is improving. There is also a large increase in the number of specific online retailers such as Curvety.com, which means plus size women can now find trendy clothing in their size rather than the tent like outfits which have been associated with plus sizes in the past.

This campaign’s goal is to bring curves back into what people think of as mainstream and change the philosophy that led to ultra-skinny models appearing on the runways. As Liis and Diane point out – they are there because the designers samples are made to fit them.
‘Strengthening the fashion industry by broading its foundations is the answer.’

The website contains a number of resources for companies, shops, designers and the general public to use as a guide to start making those small steps needed to change the stereotypes.

Miss Hunter, who is 5ft 11in and weighs 11 stone was shocked by judges, including model Rachel Hunter, who described her as ‘fat, lazy and greedy’ while competing in the 2006 reality show.

Despite being voted the leading female by the public, Jen was not given a contract by chosen agency Select, who instead booked sub-zero Marianne Berglund – known as the ‘walking skeleton’.

Cape Management, a mainstream agency who were impressed by her attitude and the impression she had on the public then stepped in to offer Miss Hunter work – the first size 12 on their books.

A happy ending? Unfortunately not.

Repeated knock-backs at catwalk castings have forced Jen to quit the mainstream agency to join one for plus size women – despite being below the average size.

Jen said: ‘I’m grateful to the Cape Model agency for taking me on when other agencies wouldn’t. They secured me some great contracts. However, they are a mainstream agency and when I went into castings I saw very few size 12 models and came up against the same old prejudice. I just didn’t feel comfortable so I decided to change to Excel Models which is a plus size agency.’

Her decision to quit the agency proves yet again that the sector has some real work to do in order to accurately reflect the UK population.

They are interested in speaking to young, trendy, body-confident girls between the ages of 18-25 – think Beth Ditto!

There is a prize of £10,000 up for grabs so if you fancy the chance to win it, or just want to prove to the world that big can most definitely be beautiful then apply now by emailing beautifulpeople@tigeraspect.co.uk.

Despite this, London was refused to follow suit and has not banned underweight models from the catwalk.

In an article by a member of the British Fashion Council – the organising body responsible for the staging of London Fashion Week – I found attempted justification. The article explained that ’size zero’ is not a real term in the UK and is only used for effect in the media. The author further justifies that by banning a BMI of under 18 it is patronising these girls, who would be being treated as if they were brainless pieces of meat, unable to think for themselves.

It is true that size zero is not UK sizing, it is actually the equivelant of a UK size 4. However the author herself goes on to say that you cannot really find a size 4 on the high street anyway. Isn’t that the point? Aren’t we setting unrealistic goals for young women?

In my opinion these young models feel the same pressure as every young girl, but to a much greater extent. If they weren’t lead to believe that being unhealthily thin is the norm by the industry that has adopted them then yes, maybe they would have the strength of character to freely decide against it. At the moment they have two choices – move down a size or find a new job.

Maybe the term ’size zero’ has captured the imagination of the UK public. Is this a bad thing if it highlights the serious issues surrounding this argument? Whether you call it a size zero debate, the fight against the death of anorexic models, or the unhealthy portrayal of the female form to young girls, the issues are the same.

I will concede that it is a step in the right direction that new guidelines have been set out in a voluntary code of practice discouraging use of underweight and overly-young models. However I feel that these will be followed as loosely as possible by many designers who feel that clothes hang better on stick thin girls. Maybe an outright ban is not the best way forward, maybe it will take strong figureheads in the industry to lead the change. Some large brands such as Topshop are already pledging they will not use super-skinny models in the future.

All of my friends were thin and seemingly happy. It was not until recently I realised that many of them were much more unhappy with their lot than I. A few members of my extended group of girl friends have now opted for surgery, a fourth, one of my best friends has real issues with the size of her breasts and there is no doubt that at some point she will follow suit. Are they happier? Maybe, maybe not – the reasons behind their feelings of inadequacy are there’s to come to terms with but it goes to show that insecurities, justified or not, are part of everyone’s lives, regardless of how good they actually look.

Now I know this happens daily throughout the world, but for me it was a huge eye opener. To see women that I have compared myself to over the years, and mostly found myself lacking, are so conscious of their flaws that they are willing to do something I would never do empowered me.

Well, here’s your chance to prove it. The makers of this BAFTA award-winning documentary series are on the hunt to find fantastic larger size families who enjoy living life to the full.

In the series two families swap mums for a week to experience life in another house and to teach this house something new.

The guys at RDF Television say: ‘We are very keen to feature a big and beautiful family on Wife Swap. We want a family who are proud of their size and keen to share their life style with others. If you are fed up of the current Size Zero craze, think that children are healthier with a bit of meat on them and are proud of your curves, then we want to hear from you’.

If you want to find out more about applying then please contact Kerry Plant at RDF Television: kerry.plant@rdfmedia.com or telephone 020 7013 4497.