Fat is the New Black
Thursday, February 25th, 2010
Photography Sølve Sundsbø Styling Nicola Formichetti
In case you haven’t noticed, a Fat Movement is underway and building momentum. Bloggers are blogging about it; Rachel Ray interviewed Marie Claire columnist Ashley Falcon on it, twice; Nightline News recently aired a special report highlighting it; and in January, VMagazine.com gave us “Curves Ahead“, a photo spread in honor of it. So large is this movement that organizers expect attendance to break the scale at this year’s second annual Full Figured Fashion Week.
Celebrate fat-shionistas. Fat is the new black!
I’m 5’1” and 106 pounds of pure petite power. The most I’ve ever weighed is a whopping 118 pounds (with child). I come from a family of miniature people. Yet, while I’ve never had a weight issue, I understand the frustrations of being a size 14 and up. So, I’m loving this Fat Movement.
Before you side-eye roll this page, give a Kanye shrug and utter “bitch please”, allow me to elaborate. I am an image consultant, based just outside of Detroit, Michigan, a city ranked number 12 on the “Fattest Cities in the U.S.” list. More than half of my female clientele wear sizes north of 12 and approximately 40% of that group wear sizes north of 20. These clients hire me primarily to assist them with building a workhorse wardrobe that will ultimately help elevate their self-confidence. My clients want – and in many cases, psychologically need — a chance to look modern, sexy and classy. However, the fashion industry continues to insult our intelligence by spoon feeding us this “size 8 is a plus size” garbage. Real talk, every person reading this entry should know that a size 8 is not a plus size. The fact is, the average American woman is 5’4″, 164 pounds and a size 14.
The paradigm shift occurring in the fashion industry, thanks to this movement, makes my job a lot easier. Yes indeed, I’m elated. A growing number of retailers and designers now offer extended sizes that are fashionable, and in many cases, well constructed and made from quality fabrics.
So, whether you’re a size 14 regular or 24 petite, looks like the fashion world is finally making room for you gals and your magnificent curves. Take advantage of the spotlight. This, my dear, is your big moment!
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10 Responses to Fat is the New Black
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shout out to the person that wrote this awesome who the hell wants a stick figure for a woman that has no curves what so ever an it is sad that big woman cant be fashionable as well just cuz they are big doesnt mean they cant be in fashion as well plus size woman should be treated like any other woman out there rock on you sexy plus size woman i am pulling for ya
Big girls are the moooooste beutiful!
xxx from holland Amsterdam
mc-y@hotmail.com
It’s interesting to hear the point of view of a consultant to real women (versus celebs). Your take makes total sense. I love this: “Real talk, every person reading this entry should know that a size 8 is not a plus size.” Neither is a size 10 or 12 when you’re a 5’10″ model, even though models that size are considered plus size! Thanks for the real talk.
Power to the big girls! It’s about time
Nicely written article colorgurl!
Great post! I’ve always had weight issues, often joking that I have a love affair with food and would be fine if it didn’t love me back. Being only 5 feet tall doesn’t help. My first year of high school, when most teens become very self-conscious, I starved myself and went from a size 12 to a size 5 in one summer. I managed to keep it off for the next 10 years through dance activities and excercise.
Though we shouldn’t take our cues on beauty from the media, one can’t dispute that being bombarded with images of skinny people all day long has an effect and it’s not just on women anymore. My 9-year-old son went on a fast recently (which I quickly extinguished), fearing he was too fat. In college, my roommates (5 young white women) had the bathroom postered with Kate Moss’ spine until I took them down. This was the image they aspired to and I couldn’t understand why.
Whether a size 12 or size 5, my body has always had curves. Most of my weight tends to stay in my booty, hips and thighs which has always made clothes buying difficult. Pants and jeans never seemed to fit these curves just right, though it was a lot easier at a size 5.
Personally, I love my curves and, despite being short, don’t think I was meant to be a skinny mini. I’ll be happy at a size 8, provided the lower region is well toned. Sloppy doesn’t look good in any size! I am pleased that the fashion world is embracing a more healthy and realistic body image.
Nice work P2! I was concerned at first from your tweet but this article addresses the issue positively without patronizing. I love it. Sadly, this movement is womens only. Big men haven’t had a fashion icon, or even the industry-granted “permission” to look fly since Biggie Smalls. The fat man is expected to just huff around in poorly “designed” jeans and if he’s lucky, khakis and ill-conceived polos and plaids. I hope that a revolution for men comes too.
I resemble this !! I’ve given up even trying to get thinner, 6′ – 1″ 205 size 20 Tall.
lol…Big moment indeed
but we in the plus size community are at times excited and elated and at others aggitated and left feeling slightly patronized..
my hope is that this current trend of putting plus size women in a positive light as opposed to the endless negative stream will continue..
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at 5’10..a size 10…i think this is the smallest i’ll ever be…and that’s a good thing..i remember when I thought being smaller was better..but then i realized it just made my head look bigger..lol