Fashion
What Is Plus Size? PLUS Model Magazine’s January 2014 Issue Bridging The PLUS Divide
What is ‘Plus Size’?
As PLUS Model Magazine continues to grow, more and more people are asking us the question. What is ‘Plus Size’?
In the fashion industry, plus size clothing begins at a size 12.
Of course, when you see a woman that wears a size 12 you are not thinking PLUS SIZE, but the fashion industry is ‘not’ also inclusive of her all the time.
The HOT TOPIC in 2013 was model sizes. I’m a size 22/24 woman and I find it VERY difficult to shop online because most of the models are very small. Years ago when I started my career in this industry there were models size 18 on the cover of catalogs and being seen in campaigns.
As the brands continue to compete for our dollars and mainstream acceptance, they have been hiring and asking the modeling agencies for smaller and smaller models. There are brands that do not use plus size models at all and occasionally will use a size 10 or 12.
We do not understand why an industry that is based around selling to plus size women refuses to be SEEN as such. There may be people inside of these companies that love, and are passionate about selling to the plus size woman, but if what we are seeing is not speaking to the customer, then why do it?
In a survey taken by PLUS Model Magazine in 2010 the customers spoke out.
- 1,722 women took the survey
- 91.3% of women said they would like to see models larger than size 12 in plus size advertisements and campaigns.
- 94.8% of women said they did not consider size 6, 8 and 10 models to be representative of the plus size market.
- 64.5% of women said the size of the model affects the way they shop.
Check out all the results here
If you are a brand or designer offering plus size clothing, you should be proud of that and cater to your customer and stop being so scared of being seen as different, we are not.
So what is plus-size? Plus size is relative to each individual. You can be a size 12, 16, 24 or 32 and we are all plus-size and that is perfectly okay. To the size 12 customers who cannot buy off the rack at their favorite boutique, they ARE plus size. If you are the size 22 woman who has to visit the 7th floor of her local department store, she is plus-size. No one knows what it’s like to be plus-size, unless you are a plus size woman living in today’s society.
The reason we put this issue together was to Bridge The PLUS Divide. Let’s stop the hate between the smaller plus size women and the bigger plus size women. We are all in this together and if we do not focus on those things that matter, we will not have an industry to talk about at all.
We hope you enjoy the January 2014 Issue of PLUS Model Magazine going LIVE on 1st.
Plus Size Fashion Inspiration from YOU! Our fabulous readers share plus size fashion inspo on Instagram!
…Want to share your style inspo? Click here to follow us on Instagram and hashtag your pictures with #CelebrateMySize. You may be featured on our Instagram page or website.
@panamakish
@felicityhayward
@nizzymacc
@danielle_nekole
@whatkaliwears
@tiffythefashionslayer
Feature
SwimStar All Stars Partnership With Renowned Plus-size Model and Swimsuits For All Ambassador, Denise Bidot
Inclusive Swimwear Brand Collaborates with Prominent Plus-Size Model Denise Bidot to Empower Aspiring Models…
Swimsuits For All, a pioneer in inclusive swimwear, proudly introduces its inaugural SwimStar All Stars campaign in partnership with renowned plus-size model and Swimsuits For All ambassador, Denise Bidot. This collaboration marks a significant milestone, nearly a decade following Denise’s groundbreaking “Beach Body, Not Sorry” campaign with Swimsuits For All in 2015, which showcased unretouched imagery aimed at promoting unapologetic confidence.
Denise Bidot and Swimsuits For All have jointly unveiled the SwimStar All Stars nationwide search, dedicated to discovering emerging talent in the realm of swimsuit modeling. Encouraging aspiring models to share their personal narratives, the initiative aims to inspire women of all backgrounds, shapes, and sizes. Following a rigorous selection process, Brittany Wilborn, Camryn Henry, and Sharon Clawson emerged as the chosen winners. In January 2024, these models embarked on a transformative journey to Harbour Island, where they had the unparalleled opportunity to shoot alongside Denise under the expert direction of internationally acclaimed photographer and director, Ben Watts.
Reflecting on the initiative, Denise Bidot remarked, “This was a truly exceptional opportunity to celebrate the diversity of plus-size models and cultivate an atmosphere of support, empowerment, and knowledge sharing. The camaraderie on set was palpable, and I am deeply honored to impart the wisdom and insights I’ve garnered throughout my career. Opportunities like these are scarce for plus-size models in the industry, and it has been a privilege to collaborate with the exceptional team at Swimsuits for All to bring this campaign to fruition.”
The models showcased the latest swimwear offerings from the Swimsuits for All 2024 collection, featuring innovative designs tailored to meet the diverse needs of women, including:
Feel-good Fits: Addressing common concerns such as tummy bulges and fit issues, Swimsuits for All offers a range of fits designed to instill confidence and comfort in every body. Incorporating features like Power Mesh for a smooth, flattering silhouette, and adjustable straps for customizable support, the collection caters to various body types.
Bold Prints & Colors for Summer: The summer swimwear collection boasts vibrant colors and captivating prints, injecting excitement and personality into beach and poolside attire. From vivid neon hues to tropical motifs, the collection encourages self-expression and style experimentation.
Liquid Shine: Introducing Liquid Shine, a striking swim fabrication characterized by a glossy, liquid-like finish, adding an edgy allure to beachwear. Available in multiple silhouettes, including bikinis, Liquid Shine ensures you stand out with confidence.
Bikinis that Suit You Best: The Mix & Match Bikini collection offers a personalized approach to swimwear, allowing individuals to mix and match colors and silhouettes for a bespoke look tailored to their preferences.
Beyond showcasing inclusive swimwear designs, the SwimStar All Stars campaign embodies a celebration of women uplifting one another in an industry often marked by competitiveness. Throughout the week-long shoot, models engaged in one-on-one sessions with Denise, fostering meaningful dialogue about the evolving representation of plus-size bodies in swim and fashion.
Jordan Hauser, Senior Director of E-Commerce & Marketing, expressed, “This campaign transcends conventional notions of body positivity and representation in the swim and fashion industries. It is a testament to the power of storytelling and authenticity in reflecting the diverse experiences of our customer base. We are committed to fostering a movement where women find strength in unity, and we are thrilled to embark on this journey alongside Denise Bidot, one of the industry’s foremost advocates for inclusivity.”
The summer 2024 swimwear collection is now available. For further details about Swimsuits For All and the SwimStar All Stars campaign, please visit www.swimsuitsforall.com.
Plus Size Fashion Inspiration from YOU! Our fabulous readers share plus size fashion inspo on Instagram!
…Want to share your style inspo? Click here to follow us on Instagram and hashtag your pictures with #CelebrateMySize. You may be featured on our Instagram page or website.
@plussizewildflower
@msgigggles
@talitakate
@valeriemaroneyy
@curvy_ambassador
@nativeactress
Plus Size Fashion Inspiration from YOU! Our fabulous readers share plus size fashion inspo on Instagram!
…Want to share your style inspo? Click here to follow us on Instagram and hashtag your pictures with #CelebrateMySize. You may be featured on our Instagram page or website.
@pridantas93
@shunitawynne
@nostalgic_nayok
@dlovecurve
@ariwearsthings
@thickfitdee
Plus Size Fashion Inspiration from YOU! Our fabulous readers share plus size fashion inspo on Instagram!
…Want to share your style inspo? Click here to follow us on Instagram and hashtag your pictures with #CelebrateMySize. You may be featured on our Instagram page or website.
@amandaneumanoficial
@aaliyahrenaa
@iheartcandyboo
@organiccurves_
@annemanyi
@johanamaya81
Plus Size Fashion Inspiration from YOU! Our fabulous readers share plus size fashion inspo on Instagram!
…Want to share your style inspo? Click here to follow us on Instagram and hashtag your pictures with #CelebrateMySize. You may be featured on our Instagram page or website.
@theprepguy
@missbetsyellis
@nessasherysse
@muva_fab
@elle.athina
@jeesha_chowdhury
-
Feature2 months agoNew Plus Model Castings and Opportunities!
-
Feature2 days agoUnveiling the Power of Self-Care Rituals: Insights into Mental Wellness
-
Feature2 days agoSwimStar All Stars Partnership With Renowned Plus-size Model and Swimsuits For All Ambassador, Denise Bidot
-
Cover Models3 days agoGet to Know Our Cover Model Sharon Dumfries…
-
Feature14 hours agoMay 9 Edition – Our Favorite Plus Size Style Moments Of The Week
-
Editor's Letter1 week agoWelcome to Our May Issue of PLUS Model Magazine
-
Feature2 weeks ago
April 25 Edition – Our Favorite Plus Size Style Moments Of The Week
-
Feature1 week agoFinding Balance in a Digital World: The Rise of Digital Detoxes