First Single from Plus
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You may remember that last year I wrote about the X factor style formation of plus size girl band – Plus.5 girls were chosen and the band was formed. Now, after months of planning, rehearsing and whatever else girl bands get up to, they are releasing their first single.
The new group featuring, Stacey-Lee Cuddy, Rachel Faulkner, Shirley Slaymaker, Kate Newnes and Hannah Lee are all a size 16 +. Spokesman Kizzi Nkwocha, former publicist for the Bay City Rollers, said: “Plus’s new single will symbolize the beginning of change for the music industry. It will be the song that opens the door to thousands of performers who were turned away in the past because of their size.” “The average woman in Britain is a size 16 yet the music industry is obsessed with the idea that a singer has to be a stick insect in order to be marketable. We think that’s wrong, most of the people in this country think that’s wrong and, after Big Fun hits Number One, the music industry will have to admit they’re wrong.” Their single, named Big Fun, will be available online at music stores such as iTunes and Napster. The girls all look fab and know how to dress those curves. To get your new plus size outfit visit Curvety.com for a great selection in sizes 16 to 36. |
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Fabulous Curvy Style
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I am absolutely loving this new summery strapless dress that is available at Curvety.com.
This style is perfect for a summer wedding or some similar occasion which requires a knock em dead outfit. It comes in sizes 16 to 26 and features the most beautiful bold flower print in black and yellow. The tie waist will help create a gorgous hourglass silhouette, particularly effective on fuller figured women. In the past I would have found the idea of a strapless dress a little daunting, but it is much less so now due to the increase in good quality strapless bras which are now made in larger sizes. |
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Curvy Celebrity Pressure
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It seems to me that whenever a plus size, or curvier woman in the public eye is praised for being a good role model representing ‘normal’ women in the UK and portraying a ‘normal’ body shape, suddenly they feel an overwhelming urge to lose loads of weight!
Sophie Dahl, Nigella Lawson, Lily Allen, Fern Britton & Geri Halliwell are all guilty of drastic slimming following a stint in the public eye as an ambassador for curves. Most of these women have not only had positive press about their figure, but have personally & publically announced that they are proud of their bodies. Take Nigella Lawson for example, who only two months ago told ‘The Telegraph’ that she was happy with her curvier figure, saying ‘I’m very glad that I don’t have that skinny straight-up-and-down shape’. Two months on and She has reportedly hired a personal trainer to get her into shape!!! As with most things, with the good come the bad – and in media land the bad can be down right harsh. So for every positive story these women will find about themselves, I am sure they are notified of another which frankly blows a hole in their self esteem. Take the recent publicity surrounding Chloe Marshall for example. Although most stories and comments about the first plus size Miss England entrant have been very positive and supportive – there is always one or two spiteful opinions thrown in to rock the boat. Lets hope that Chloe doesn’t feel the pressure to conform to the unhealthy size zero trend because of this coverage. I could say that these women should ignore these comments, but I can imagine how hard it is dealing with such a personal attack, and what it must do to your confidence. If they were murderers they would expect to receive bad press, but just for your weight – why? It needs to stop. |
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Fight Chloe Marshall’s Backlash
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As much as I was hoping it wouldn’t happen, there was always the possibility that Chloe Marshall would receive a certain amount of bad press for her success in what has always been a closed and unaccepting industry.This morning I was alerted to an article on the ‘Daily Mail’ website, written by a rather charming (not) Monica Grenfell. The heading sums up her views – ‘A role model for ordinary women? No, Miss England finalist is fat, lazy and a poster girl for ill health’.As a published author of well known & informative titles such as:Crash Diet – Lose 7lbs in 7 Days
The New 5 Days to a Flatter Stomach Revenge Diet: Lose 15lbs in a month!: Make Him Sorry He Dumped You! Fabulous in a Fortnight: The Day-by-day Programme – Shape Up and Lose Weight The Beat Your Body Chaos Diet: Turn the Clock Back in 28 Days (Thanks Bob at Sizenet for this info) I’m sure you will agree that Monica is quite clearly an ambassador for what is healthy – like extreme dieting for short term weight loss – something we all know is SOO good for you! Monica is very keen to point out that portraying a size 16 with a BMI which is supposedly in the overweight category (but doesn’t take into account muscle tone so is absolute nonsense) is unhealthy, and a bad message to give out – unlike her own message – being thin is essential for happiness and health. Chloe has said on numerous occasions that she eats a healthy diet and exercises regularly – a lifestyle that will put you on the right track to a long and healthy life. I would be keen to point out that I know plenty of ‘thin’ women who eat a diet of absolute junk and who NEVER exercise. Yes, they’re thin, but probably far from healthy, and much more likely to incur health risks. At the moment the link between health and weight is unbreakable in the eyes of many – this is just not true. The sooner these people realise that you can be a little overweight and healthy, just as easily as being thin and unhealthy – the better! Well Chloe, the staff at Curvety are behind you all the way. Don’t lose heart – for every nasty cynic like Monica, there are a handful of supporters wishing you all the luck in the world!
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Goodbye Size Zero Fashion Role Models
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Now, I know that Coleen McLoughlin is NOT a plus size woman, but there is no denying she has more curves than the average WAG. This is why I was so pleased to hear that she is now regarded as the nations top fashion role model, replacing her size zero counterparts.
Introduced to fame as the fiancee of top footballer Wayne Rooney, she is now a bigger influence than Kate Moss and Victoria Beckham, according to the poll. Supermodel Kate Moss, 34, takes second place, followed by actress Sienna Miller, 26. Posh Spice, 33, is fourth while Girls Aloud star Cheryl Cole, 24, is fifth – and the third Wag to make the Top 10. Other top 10 fashion influences included Kylie Minogue, Gwen Stefani, Keira Knightley, Lily Allen & Angelina Jolie. Look editor Ali Hall said: ‘Coleen has transformed herself from puffa jacket schoolgirl to style icon in just a few years. Women relate to her as she’s more shapely than your average Wag. ‘She doesn’t mind splashing out on a designer ‘it’ item but mixes it with the great stuff available on the high street’. How refreshing that women and teens are starting to realise that a more natural curve is much more flattering, and that we don’t have to aspire to the Unobtainable. Lets hope this is the first step in ending the craze of role models such as Victoria Beckham portraying an unrealistic and impossible to maintain figure. Coleen is pictured wearing a summer essential, the shirt dress. Here is a similar shirt dress available in sizes 16 to 34. |
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Curvety on BBC Radio Tees
This morning I had the pleasure of appearing on BBC Radio Tees to talk about Curvety & my views on Chloe Marshall, the first ever size 16 Miss England finalist.
It was a pleasure to put my opinions across to the North of England, and do my little bit in promoting real women in the fashion and modelling industries.
Although very pleased, I am also a little surprised by the effect Chloe has had on the public. For the first time in as long as I can remember it seems that the more curvy among us have someone to get behind and support in an industry usually lacking in larger representatives. It also seems to have given curvy women a bit of a boost, and the energy to stand up and say ‘I’m proud of who I am’.
In my opinion one of the reasons is that it is the first time a real size women has appeared in DIRECT competition (and won) to traditional entrants – rather than in a special ‘plus size’ alternative competition.
As i’ve said before, Chloe looks to be a perfect role model. She should be very proud of the stir she has caused!
Chloe Wins Miss Surrey
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On Friday Chloe was crowned Miss Surrey 08 and won a guaranteed entry to the Miss England final – a first ever for a size 16!
As some commenters of earlier posts have pointed out, it is hard to class Chloe as a plus size. She is a young & beautiful curvy woman who is the UK’s national average size. But whatever your personal views on what is plus size, there is no debating that within the pageant and modelling industries a size 16 is NOT the current norm. Chloe is a refreshing change to the size zero trend plus her continued support, from both the media and the public, shows a change in the tide. Not only is Chloe beautiful, but a brilliant role model to young women. She says ‘Everybody thinks you have to be a tall, slim blonde and I’m a curvy brunette. I want to show it is possible to be beautiful and not a standard size zero. The reaction I’ve had is great. Other girls have told me I have really boosted their confidence, which is terrific.’ ‘I wanted to go through to the Miss England finals to break through the stereotype that you have to be tall and skinny.’ ‘My mum is really happy and proud of me that I am doing something not just for myself but other people as well and my friends are really supportive, they can’t stop going on about it.’ Well done Chloe. |
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The Proposal
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After 11 years together my partner finally proposed last week. After I had picked my jaw up from the floor, and spent numerous hours staring at my new sparkly diamond ring, my thoughts, as always, turned to fashion.
If anyone else is planning on getting married in the near future here are my first finds for the perfect plus size wedding dress. The hot trend in wedding dresses this season seems to be shorter. Now this is a brave step for some, to shun the traditional floor length gown in favour of a mid length dress, but for me it’s perfect. At only 5ft 2′ I always feel more comfortable in a mid length dress which doesn’t swamp me. Plus it gives me the chance to show off my legs which, as a standard apple shape, are my best feature. My favourite find so far is this shimmering halter dress, which comes with the most beautiful buckled shawl to cover upper arms. If you prefer something more traditional then this Long beaded dress is absolutely stunning for a Spring/Summer wedding. Both of the above styles are ideally suited to a more intimate affair but with the growing choice in formalwear in plus sizes there are many more structured gowns available. I will update you when I have a handful of favourites! |
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Fern Britton Plays Dirty
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One of my favourite curvy role models, Fern Britton, is receiving some stick along with fellow presenter Phillip Schofield, for a bit of riske fun on daytime TV.
This Morning plunged into controversy last week after Fern presented an interview with a woman who sells sex toys for Ann Summers. Gwen Bailey, 75, claims to be the oldest host of sex toy parties in the country. During the interview Gwen encouraged a giggling Fern to test the wares on her nose for suitability while a bemused Phil looked on. I can see how this would possibly cause concern to some viewers, but I must admit that I fall into the category that found it hugely amusing! Fern to me looks like she was put into an uncomfortable situation (after all, she wont have scheduled the guests) and made the best of it by having a bit of a giggle. As always, Fern looked on hot on the couch, sporting a sexy black skirt suit, get the look here. |
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