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News, Views and Opinions related to Plus size fashion and Plus size women. Including plus size clothing, fuller figured icons and what's in the news.
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Merry Christmas & Happy New Year
I cannot believe it is the 23rd December - it really is true that time seems to speed up each and every year!
I hope everyone has finished their Christmas shopping and has a couple of days to relax. If not Curvety can still deliver in time for Christmas for those last minute gifts or that killer Christmas outfit - but you'll need to be quick and place your order by 4pm today. To make things even better they are having a massive sale with up to 50% off!
To everyone who has read my blog this year I would like to wish you a very Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year and the best of luck and happiness for 2009.
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Posted: 01:43, 23/12/2008 in Plus Size News |
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Top 3 Curvy Celebs of 2008
The year is drawing to a close and what a year it's been!
2008 has seen the size acceptance movement fall into full swing and real women everywhere are learning to accept and be proud of their curves. They are demanding a voice in both the public domain and in the retail sector & the choice of plus size clothes has never been so great.
The rise of size acceptance has seen an increase of curvy women in the world of celebrity, those rare role models who refuse to bow to the pressure of life in the limelight as a curvy women.
As 2008 wraps up I wanted to celebrate my top 3 curvy role models of the year...
Chloe Marshall has to be my number 1 curvy celebrity in 2008. Her stirling work in raising awareness of the sexiness of curves earlier in the year when coming second in the Miss England final was monumental. Chloe is a beautiful young woman and the UK really got behind her.
In second place has to be Beth Ditto, who has won the admiration of women across the world for her attitude and daring dress sense. Beth knows how to steal the show, and proves to the world that you dont need to be a size 0 to do it. BTW - love the new orange hair Beth!
In third place it has to be Adele, just because I love her. She is my favourite by far of the new singing talents of 2008. when I first heard her voice it gave me goose bumps, so I was doubly pleased when I found out she was proud to be a curvy woman.
There have been many sad stories of celebritites who have suffered at the hands of the size stigma in the UK - such as Fern Britton and Natalie Cassidy.
Here's to a 2009 which celebrates the beauty of the female form in all its wonderful variations, and where celebrities and normal women alike can feel confident of who they are without being judged.
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Posted: 05:14, 16/12/2008 in Plus Size News |
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Last Post Dates for Christmas
Christmas is drawing nearer and although shopping online takes a lot of the stress out of your Christmas shop, it is important to know when you need to order by so that you receive your goods in time for the big day!
Curvety have helpfully listed their final post dates on their homepage so there can be no confusion. And you will be pleased to hear that orders can be placed up until the 23rd December if you use the special delivery service.
So whether its a new outfit for yourself for the festive period, or a present for a loved one with one of their gift vouchers, you are sure to get it on time.
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Posted: 01:46, 9/12/2008 in Plus Size News |
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Bigger Women Have Better Sex Lives
A recent study has shown that plus size women have better sex lives than their slimmer counterparts and the Mirror are keen to shout it from the roof tops by way of an article on sexy BBW's who rule in the bedroom.
A freelance journalist has been commissioned to write a feature for the women's section of the Mirror and has asked me to help find some sexy case studies.
A new study has revealed that bigger women get more sex than their slimmer sisters which rubbishes previous studies which concluded that larger girls had a low libido, while skinny ones were more likely to be sexually active.
Gail is writing a feature on larger women who say that although they get may get sneering looks from other women about their size, they literally have to fight men off. She is looking for women who are a size 18 or above and perfectly happy with their bodies and their sex lives.
Case studies will attend a professional photo shoot in London where they'll have their hair and make up done by professionals. All stories will be read back before submission.
For more information, please email Gail Titchener at gailtitchener@googlemail.com or call 07795 167902.
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Posted: 11:49, 18/11/2008 in Plus Size News |
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Natalie's YO YO Dieting
Written by Emily Robinson.
Slated in the papers for her fast weight regain, is Natalie really to blame?
Recently slated across magazines and countless internet sites, Natalie Cassidy has been seen back up to her original weight. Is she really to blame or is this ridiculous obsession to be stick thin the reason for her plummet and quick regain. Realistically no-one could have believed someone who is clearly naturally curvy to stay a size 8. She is being quoted as being depressed and in tears about her weight gain and im sure all of the bad press coverage isn’t helping her. It’s a waste of time to spend every second calorie counting and watching what you eat she should enjoy her life and enjoy her success but instead she is being made to feel fat and ugly. Headline have said how she has ballooned back to her weight and, ‘she’s the fat girl off TV’, but really she is just being compared to her previous.
Yo Yo dieting its self is very harmful for your body, your body is going from one extreme of eating large amounts to eating nothing back to eating more again so the strain on your body is extremely unhealthy. Natalie sadly will have regained everything in fat as her weight decreased so rapidly leaving a small muscular frame and her weight has been regained so quickly it will be stored as fat.
I think the pressure of the good press she had because of the weight loss inspired her but once she realised it was near impossible to keep the weight off she relaxed and settled down, it seems she is naturally a curvy girl so she should learn to love her curves like we all do!
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Posted: 10:56, 13/11/2008 in Plus Size News |
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America's First Lady has Style
Being across the pond in the UK has done little to remove me from the buzz surrounding the US election, and the historic win of the first black president.
Stealing as many column inches as her husband, if only in the fashion world, is America's new first lady - Michelle Obama.
The general consensus is that the woman has style. Mrs Obama has gorgeous curves which she acccentuates perfectly, with no help from a personal stylist, so we are told.
Mrs Obama has been applauded for her fashion choices during the campaign, with women across the world seeking out copies of her smart, colourful dresses and well-cut skirt suits. She recently told Jay Leno that she shopped for most of her clothes online.
On election night I have to say that I think Mrs Obama suffered a rare lapse of taste. Wearing a red and black scoop-neck dress by Narciso Rodriguez for the historic moment, was a decision that has sparked instant debate among the fashion-focused.
Nobody gets it right every time so i'm sure it wont be long before Mrs Obama is back on her fashion pedestal and leading the world in power dressing with style for the modern woman.
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Posted: 11:08, 6/11/2008 in Plus Size News |
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The Perfect Gift
If, like mine, your other half need a little help when it comes to picking the perfect pressie, maybe it's time to hint that you'd like to choose our own!
Curvety have started offering gift vouchers, which are sent in a presentation card to be given as the perfect gift for the curvy woman who has everything.
It's always hard to pick clothes for someone else so take away the stress and let them pick their own perfect outfit - they'll definitely thank you for it!
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Posted: 10:06, 29/10/2008 in Plus Size News |
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More Tragedy for Jennifer Hudson
I'm very to sorry to say that the body of Jennifer Hudson's nephew has been found dead in the back of a car parked about 10 miles away from his family home.
The oscar winning actress, singer and plus size role model was among family members and close friends who cried and held hands as they identified Julian King from a live televised image at the Cook County Medical Examiner's office.
Police said the seven-year-old had been shot like his grandmother, Darnell Donerson, 57, and uncle, Jason Hudson, 29, who had been found dead on Friday.
No one has been charged but the police are holding the boys step father who is being questioned about all three murders.
Despite Jennifer's best efforts, and the offer of a $100k reward for safe return of her nephew, this was not to be and more heart ache has been piled onto Jennifer, her sister, and the rest of the family.
Cook County spokesman Sean Howard said the actress seemed to be coping well, but asked for the public to respect their family's privacy and to keep sending their prayers and support. 'She was just brilliant and strong,' said Howard when describing Hudson's demeanour while she and her family identified her nephew's body.
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Posted: 10:37, 28/10/2008 in Plus Size News |
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$100,000 Reward for Jennifer Hudson''s Missing Nephew
Award winning actress and plus size role model Jennifer Hudson is offering a $100,000 reward for information leading to the safe return of her seven year old nephew, who has been missing since Friday.
Jennifer issued the appeal after the double shooting of her mother Darnell Donnerson and her brother Jason Hudson at their home in Chicago on Friday. Seven year old Julian King was staying with his grandmother when the murders took place and he has not been seen since.
Julia Balfour, Jennifer's sister and mother of the missing boy, made an emotional plea for the safe return of her son yesterday.
“All I ask, I don’t care who you are, just let my baby go, please,” Julia Balfour said at a news conference Saturday night. “I just want my son.”
Police have launched a statewide campaign to find the child but Hudson, who spent the weekend identifying the bodies of her loved ones, has stepped up the search for her nephew by offering the money and urging anyone with any knowledge of his whereabouts to come forward.
Hudson's representative Lisa Kasteler made a statement saying - 'Jennifer and her family appreciate the enormous amount of love, support and prayers they have received while she and her family try to cope with this tragedy and continue the search for Julian. We ask that all inquiries be directed to the Chicago Police Department, Area 1 Detective Division at 312/747-8380.'
The double edged sword of celebrity hits again as jennifer is able to publicise the search for her nephew, but at the same time is unable to mourn the death of her mother and brother privately. My thoughts are with Jennifer and I pray for safe return of her nephew.
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Posted: 12:24, 27/10/2008 in Plus Size News |
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Jennifer Hudson's Family Murdered
Oscar winning plus size actress Jennifer Hudson's mother & brother were shot dead and her 7-year-old nephew is missing.
Hudson's brother in-law William Balfour, 27, is suspected of the shootings & was arrested Friday night but he has not been charged according to news reports. Balfour is married to Jennifer's sister but they are said to be separated.
To make matter worse Balfour's stepson, seen in the picture, is missing.
Hudson's mother was shot in her living room at her house in Chicago, according to the police. Hudson's brother Jason Hudson, 29, was found in a bedroom.
Jennifer Hudson won an oscar for her amazing performance in Dreamgirls and is a role model representing curvy women in the world of celebrity, where the pressure to conform to stereotype is immense. My heart goes out to Jennifer when she must be enduring the hardest days of her life.
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Posted: 04:58, 25/10/2008 in Plus Size News |
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2009 The Rise of the Real Woman
Written by Emily Robertson.
Is 2009 set to see the end of this ridiculous size 0 trend?
Well, we can all hope that this unrealistic view of women is set to stop and we can all finally relax and feel sexy no matter what size we are. Many celebrities have been relaxing on their diets, Victoria Beckham and Cheryl Cole have been seen sporting more curvaceous figures than once seen before, as has Eva longoria who has been asked to gain weight for her desperate housewives role, she has said ‘we just ate so much we went crazy over the summer’.
When did it become sexy to have no stomach, no hips, no thighs, no boobs and nothing to lust after? It seems even men have been sucked into this trend but if you look at surveys, when given the choice men have opted for someone more like Charlotte Church than size 0 models or even size 8 girls. It seems that although it may seem men want this in reality men want a real women, someone sexy, confident and with lots to offer.
Celebrities such as Charlotte Church who is a self proclaimed curvy girl is becoming more of the norm in Hollywood than ever before, hopefully this is soon to set a trend for our younger celebrities and public because this view of women’s bodies has become more harmful than anything. Actress Nikki blonsky starred as the lead character in the new film musical hairspray and she being a size 18-22 played an amazing role, as a beautiful young girl in love. It was rare to see a larger lady on screen but she has set a trend amongst Hollywood that it is possible for a young girl to play the starring role of a sexy woman.
Tyra banks has been quoted saying ‘you call this fat!’ when she recently did a magazine article stating her curvy womanly figure was not fat as she has put on weight in the past few months, but still looks as gorgeous as ever. X factor also has the beautiful young Laura who is sporting a curvy figure which looks amazing, hopefully she can maintain this look and not fall for the typical Hollywood route if all goes well.
I am hoping with all of these celebs taking a stand - curvy, sexy, gorgeous women - will once again be the top stars.
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Posted: 07:31, 24/10/2008 in Plus Size News |
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Dawn French - Dear Fatty
Dawn French - funny woman, TV personality, entrepeneur - now you can add author to the list.
With a career that spans 3 decades, Dawn French is no doubt classed as one of the funniest women in Britain and is thought of as a national treasure. Dawn French and long time comic partner Jennifer Saunders have made it clear that once the current tour is over they are sadly hanging up the gloves of stand up, and will be sorely missed.
So maybe this is why Dawn has chosen now to put pen to paper and let us all share in what life is like for a comedy genius.
From her early years as an RAF child and her flat-sharing antics with Jennifer Saunders, to her outspoken views on sizism and her marriage to Lenny Henry, 'Dear Fatty' chronicles the extraordinary, hilarious rise of a complex, dynamic and unstoppable woman.
Dawn is plus size and proud, she is possibly the best role model for any woman out there and continues to show the world that being a success, having a great relationship and being happy is not down to your weight but your outlook on life.
Dawn was featured in She Magazine this month wearing the metallic jacey jacket from Curvety.
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Posted: 03:54, 2/10/2008 in Plus Size News |
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Jen Hunter at London Fashion Week
Jen Hunter came into the public eye when she participated in the TV series 'Make me a supermodel'. Jen who is a size 12-14, and classed as a plus size model, felt she received a lot of negative responses from those involved in the show and was determined to make her mark and prove them wrong.
She pledged to take something positive from the experience and began visiting schools to talk to pupils about her experience.
“I think any teenager would prefer to listen to anybody other than their parents and teachers,” smiles Jen. “And when it’s someone who’s actually gone through it, then it holds a bit more merit.
“It’s a case of ‘this is where I’ve messed up, this is what’s gone right, take from it what you will’.”
The 26-year-old from Wigan admits that bucking the trend, especially in the fashion industry, isn’t always easy. But the level of criticism she received on Make Me A Supermodel only made her more resolute.
“I started to visit schools almost straight afterwards,” she says. “When I was on the show I felt as though I was being bullied a lot and the only time I’d ever felt that before was at school. So I thought, what I’ve done can be put to some use and so I spoke with my management team and we set about trying to find a way.
“One of my uncles works in a school and mentioned about going in to see pupils because a lot of them had got into this reality TV mentality. They’d started to think that they didn’t need a decent education; they could just go on Big Brother, or something like that, and earn their money that way. I was able to talk to them about how it really was.
“I love my job and I love the fact that because I had enough strength of character to hold my head high, it’s given me the opportunity to put some confidence into other children. That could be confidence in their work, in going into a particular industry, or just in themselves as people.
“Having that is important because there are times when you can’t just shout your mouth off – and then it comes back to how much respect you’ve got for yourself. You can’t let people make a fool of you.
“I’m proud of the fact that I’ve never let anyone affect my career negatively or undermine my confidence.”
Jen was approached by the Make Your Mark initiative, an organisation which aims to inspire young people and encourage them to pursue their goals, when working with schools. As the Lverpool ambassador for the organisation, Jen modelled designs by one of the winners of a national Make Your Mark in Fashion competition at London Fashion Week.
“I’m very proud of being a north west girl so when you can put something back it’s important to give your support and your time,” she says. “I think the initiative is wonderful – plus I get to be on stage at LFW which I’ve not done before.
“At a size 12-14 I might not look like most of the other models here but I’m a little bit too stubborn and set in my ways to change to anyone else’s ideals. I was a very slim model when I first started but I found that I was a lot happier being my natural size and shape and I’m not going to force myself to be something I’m not.
“In future, depending on my working schedule, I’ll help Mark Your Mark whenever I can. I’ve got a four-year-old daughter and if there’s any way I can affect young people in a positive way then I will.”
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Posted: 05:49, 30/9/2008 in Plus Size News |
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Club Curvaceous
Written by Emily Robertson
Club curvaceous is hosting what is sure to be a classy, cool, electric BBW night in coco’s upstairs in Stratford upon Avon. With its ‘hunky hosts and curvaceous hostesses’ it is really going to be a fantastic night to remember and for the next 7 days it is 3 for 2 for tickets!
This exclusive night includes a Congo drummer to get your rhythm going and a belly dancer who will be teaching all you voluptuous goddesses some top moves. The trendy bar will have nibbles and a comfortable V.I.P. seating area boasting a chic atmosphere if you fancy relaxing or simply taking a break!
The evening is being hosted by Julie Lou Weston who launched these special nights. Julie is also a qualified photographer and will be charging a small fee to any girl who would like to have some professional, beautiful photos taken on the night either alone or with your friends. She is an expert at photography BBW so don’t be shy!
A lucky girl will also win this free on the night, you will all be entered so fingers crossed! However, if you are wanting to treat yourself book a place in the photo booth online and get 10% off the package price!
The night is on the 17th of October and tickets are really selling out fast! It is a great chance to let your hair down and make some new friends, everyone will have one thing in common you are all BBW and proud of it, the night is devoted to you curvaceous goddesses and it’s a chance to show off your confidence and sexiness and have a lot of fun!
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Posted: 09:51, 18/9/2008 in Plus Size News |
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Heart Disease and Obesity not Linked
Finally, research to back it up, being overweight does not mean you are doomed to be unhealthy!
A survey by researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the US has confirmed that more than half of overweight people and almost a third of obese Americans do not have a higher risk of cardiac disease. These results defy conventional belief on the subject of obesity - that fat is the root of all evil!
'We kind of got it into our heads that obesity is automatically bad for you,' said Rachel Wildman, a principal co-author of the report. 'But this study shows that there is a subset of obese individuals who don't develop adverse effects.'
Government data was taken from 5,440 people who filled out questionnaires and whose levels of risk factors were measured between 1999 and 2004. They discovered that 51% of overweight adults, translating to 36 million people nationwide, have mostly normal levels of heart disease indicators.
Almost 32% of obese individuals, or nearly 20 million people, were likewise found to be 'metabolically healthy.'
Obviously this research ONLY looks at cardiovascular disease and doesn't imply that there are no health risks with being overweight. As a plus size woman, my belief is as long as you eat a healthy and balanced diet and take regular exercise you're on the path to a healthy life whatever your weight. |
Posted: 03:49, 27/8/2008 in Plus Size News |
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Chloe Marshall's Success Story
Chloe Marshall, the curvaceous teenager who shot to fame after being named Miss Surrey earlier in the year has described how the competition has changed her life. The size 16 beautician, turned plus size model, recently came a very close second in the Miss England final.
Chloe, who is only 17, took part in a number of rounds that included modelling swimwear, an interview with the judges and a dance routine. Along with 50 other hopefuls.
Chloe shot to fame before the final and had many appearances on TV, in magazines and photo shoots - all good practice for the national pageant. She finished in second place to 22-year-old Miss Derby, Laura Coleman.
'My life has really changed. I had to grow up a bit and be more responsible, but I love this life.' Chloe said.
'I was really really shocked because I never thought I would reach the top twenty, let alone the top 3.'
Chloe is about to make her film debut as she starts filming alongside Vinnie Jones and Martin Kemp in November. She insisted she will keep her feet on the ground.
'I'm just really happy that I've proved my point now, and that the judges saw me for me and not for my weight. She said.
'I think it sends out a really positive message that you don't have to be a standard size eight or 10 to be considered beautiful.'
Good luck in the future Chloe, I'm sure you have a long and successful career ahead of you and the team at Curvety will continue to support you.
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Posted: 02:05, 13/8/2008 in Plus Size News |
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Another Attack on the Overweight
Breaking news - Your weight no longer has anything to do with what you eat, your exercise levels, or even possibly illness. It has now been 'proven' that if you have fat friends you will gain weight.
Researchers from Warwick, Dartmouth and Leuven universities analysed data on 27,000 people and came to the conclusion that weight gain is the result of social influence. Did you get that? Fat is contagious!
The study found that people who forge close relationships with more rotund friends are more likely to develop a weight problem than those who purposely exclude the plus-sized from their circle. We are apparently influenced by the appearance of those around us and prone to imitative behaviour.
I don't know whether to laugh at the fact that such research was even devised, let alone carried out, or to be angry at yet another excuse to publically degrade the overweight.
Is it really possible to completely ignore more likely factors in weight gain? The increase in fast and convenience foods, the drop in exercise levels and modern day aids which take some of the strain out of day to day chores?
Will there ever be a time when it can be accepted that not everyone is built to look the same? That different builds, shapes and sizes is just the way it is and should be celebrated?
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Posted: 03:45, 31/7/2008 in Plus Size News |
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Natalie Cassidy's Diet Secrets
I'm sure many of you will remember Natalie Cassidy, who was long standing character Sonya Jackson in Eastenders. Sonya departed to start a new life last year, giving Natalie the chance to dip her toe into new projects.
In her documentary shown on BBC 3 Natalie followed a number of 'fad diets' taken from popular womens magazines, with mixed results - none of which were positive. It was revealed in the program that many of the celebs who supposedly endorsed these diets had actually never used them.
Magazines are promoting the message - YOU MUST BE THIN, then publishing ridiculous 'celebrity endorsed' diets to sell more copies.
There are 239 women's magazines published in the UK so there is hot competition to gain sales. As pointed out in the program, children as young as 8 are reading these magazines which encourage an unhealthy perspective on weight and a negative attitude to larger sizes. They push diets that may not be nutritionally sound and give false accolades from popular celebrities to make it seem ok.
Impressionable young teens are reading these celeb diets and are encouraged to follow them with out knowing what the long term health risks are.
If magazines were pushing smoking, drinking or drug abuse the governing bodies would step in and put an end to it. Isn't it time that the diet industry was given the same treatment?
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Posted: 04:00, 7/7/2008 in Plus Size News |
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Real Women in Miss England Final
This year the Miss England final will represent real women in the UK like never before. In earlier posts I have talked about Chloe Marshall, the first size 16 finalist, but it seems there is another curvier figure in the running.
Leah Green, 22, An aspiring model who was rejected by leading model agencies for being a size 12, has beaten 200 other girls to be crowned Miss London. Although a size 12 is clearly not plus size - it is true to say that Leah is a more real and healthy representation of women in the UK.
Following the trend for size zero models Leah talks about her rejection by modelling agencies.
'I have tried to get into modelling,' she said. 'But I have been turned away as I'm apparently too big to be a regular model. I've been told I'm too fat and I need to lose weight. One agent told me I would have to work hard to achieve the gaunt look he was after.
The London College of Fashion graduate, who works as a design assistant at French Connection, said the industry was fixated with thin models and was responsible for many girls developing eating disorders.
'I helped out with London Fashion Week last year and many of the models looked like they were about to keel over and die,' she said.
The Miss England final takes place on 18 July at the Troxy, in Stepney, London. |
Posted: 12:26, 12/6/2008 in Plus Size News |
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Fern Britton Weight Loss Surgery
It has recently come to light that Fern Britton underwent a gastric band operation 2 years ago which has enabled her to lose 5 stone. Until now Fern has attributed her weight loss to exercise and healthy eating, but now it seems she had a little help along the way.
Husband chef Phil Vickery, 46, has been reported as saying: 'Fern has lost a lot of weight through cycling, walking the dog and not eating too much - simple as that.'
Now as you know I am a firm believer in maintaining a healthy (to you) weight through good diet and exercise, and in all honesty am not adverse to operations such as this in extreme cases where health is affected and all other options have been explored. However, I think that celebrities who are just not happy with their weight and want an easier route to their 'ideal' figure are aiding the terrible public image of being overweight.
I still think Fern is a great presenter and TV personality, who has a lovely curvy figure - for now. I am sorry that I can no longer class Fern as a fuller figured role model promoting self acceptance as it seems she has been the most recent victim of cowing to the media's portrayal of what is publically acceptable.
If you are proud of your curves you can dress in style, visit Curvety.com for fab fashion in sizes 16 to 36.
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Posted: 12:43, 9/6/2008 in Plus Size News |
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