Topic: plus-size

Model Saffi Karina Founds Curve Project London, UK’s First Plus-Size Modeling Workshop

Model Saffi Karina Founds Curve Project London, UK's First Plus-Size Modeling Workshop

The world of modeling is not a diverse one. Most models are “standard size,” meaning their bodies are around 5’10″ or so and between a size zero and four. There are some wonderful exceptions, yes, but the fashion industry is still fairly consistent across the board regarding its view of how women ideally “should” look. Fortunately, the number of exceptions is increasing as more women become intolerant of the rigid restrictions set for female bodies in fashion, and model Saffi Karina is one of the people taking action. More »

Special K Uses “Plus Size” Women In Ads, Spreads Mixed Body Image Message

Special K Uses "Plus Size" Women In Ads, Spreads Mixed Body Image Message

Special K is beginning to use “plus size” women in new cereal advertisements. I put quotations around “plus size” because I’m not at all convinced that these women qualify– “regular size” is more probably more apt. Like so much media that tries to be “body positive,” the new Special K campaign winds up sending totally mixed messages about body image. More »

Does It Matter If Crystal Renn Is Plus-Sized Or Not?

Does It Matter If Crystal Renn Is Plus-Sized Or Not?

Crystal Renn‘s body has spurred many a debate, and her newest look—bleach-blonde and slim—on the cover of Schön! magazine is no exception: Many are saying that she doesn’t look at all like the plus-sized model who rose to fame, and some have said that plus-sized women feel betrayed by her “startling slimdown.” But does it matter if Crystal Renn is plus-sized or not? If you ask us, what matters most about her weight is how everyone chooses to react. More »

PLUS Model Mag Promotes Size Acceptance, But Are Their Photos Really Body Positive?

PLUS Model Mag Promotes Size Acceptance, But Are Their Photos Really Body Positive?

According to PLUS Model Magazine, most runway models are considered anorexic judging by their body mass index (BMI). That’s just one of the shocking statistics accompanying their controversial shoot, titled “Plus Size Bodies, What Is Wrong With Them Anyway?” meant to provoke discussion of the damaging body standards set by the fashion industry. The shoot features size 12 model Katya Zharkova, and in some photos, an anonymous “straight”-sized model. In an accompanying editorial, editor Madeline Figueroa-Jones also makes some good points about how the debate over beauty and fashion should be separated from health. The editorial makes some great points, but to be honest I’m not sure the photos themselves really do all women justice. More »

American Apparel Now Tries to Make Nice With ‘Next Big Thing’ Nancy Upton

American Apparel Now Tries to Make Nice With 'Next Big Thing' Nancy Upton

Fat women could trim down if only they weren’t so addicted to junk food. Fat women use food as a love/sex substitute. Fat women pig out on ice cream every night. Find attitudes like those offensive? So does Nancy Upton (and, uh, for the record, so do I). She deliberately set out to skewer those notions in a series of photographs she submitted to American Apparel’s ‘The Next Big Thing’ plus-sized model search. Then she won the contest … More »