Word on the Street: Plus Size News Roundup 5.16.12

Welcome to this week’s Plus Size News Roundup!  We recap last week’s plus size news, thanks to Diana from Fat Chic!  You can get caught up on what is happening in fashion, the business of plus size fashion, and what is trending outside the US! Know something that went down that you would like added? Feel free to leave a comment! Remember though, this is last week’s most headlining news! Are you ready? Take a read!

Word on the Street: Plus Size News Roundup

• Weight really is “one of the last acceptable prejudices,” according to a survey performed for Glamour Magazine. I disagree with the statement because there are lots of prejudices that are pretty darned unacceptable that I still see actively embraced. That said, the attitudes behind this particular form of female social violence are pretty darned upsetting.
• Weight Watchers in the UK is launching a campaign to teach shop assistants a bit more tact when it comes to handling plus-sized customers. This after a study revealing that 30% of plus-size shoppers walk out of shops because of rudeness. Education in decent customer service – and the idea that your taste, even if good taste, can not possibly cover all situations – would help.
• Julie Burchill talks about the use of underage models and its sexual inappropriateness. My opinions about this on the primary level are: get your hands off the kids. Not too controversial. But I think there’s more than just gender politics involved, and I’m pretty sure the world isn’t ready for where I think some of these continuing problems come from. It’s misogyny, all right – just not from sources even the most ardent feminist is willing to recognize.

• We have a word for it now: the natural model movement. This is an extension of the Healthy is the new Skinny campaign.
• BoingBoing ran a piece on how hijab (Islamic modesty dress) has become a form of expression. There are women where I live who wear what I consider “punk rock hijab” and I saw some women in Paris who were honoring their values while looking amazingly stylish. The side effect of this creativity, though, is that women who claimed they lived beyond the male gaze and sexual judgment are now experiencing self-esteem based body issues. I do want to mention this: there’s a LOT of research out there that makes it clear there is NO living beyond the male sexual gaze. Covering yourself should always be a personal choice, but covering yourself in an effort to control the thoughts and behavior of another human being is not a choice based on objective fact. Men are quite capable of taking responsibility for their hormonally motivated actions, too. The body issues are often because of –again – female social violence.
• More 20-30 somethings are going for a clothing swap in lieu of shopping.
• Maryanne Mackenzie, a plus-size friendly designer out of Nairobi, talks about choosing fashion over the hotel business.
• In southwestern Illinois, plus size clothing chains are finally appearing.
• Style Goes Strong asks if some women are too old to wear caftans. This is a bit of a reversal – I’ve always believed  caftans are more popular with older women.

• Avenue will be shutting down 120 stores.  No list of stores due to close could be located.
• Bare Necessities has issued two tablet magazines.
• Lane Bryant now ships to the UK and Europe. But not Canada. Blame NAFTA? These companies, however, DO ship to Canada.
• Christopher and Banks has three new members on its board of directors.

• Check out this pictorial of Beth Ditto.
• This body positive piece looks at the complexities of eating, disorder, and nourishment after observing the Minas Trend Preview fashion show.
• South Asian news sources are now commenting on the movement against using underweight and underage models.

Did something catch your eye?  Make sure you visit Fat Chic to read the Plus Size Heath roundup, and catch her Plus Size Sales Roundup as well!

PS. Have you voted for The Curvy Fashionista today? Nominated for Best Plus Size Blog for the Style Bloggers of Color, you can vote once a day!  No registration needed! Vote NOW

Tags: body image, business of plus size, plus size fashion, Plus size news

Category: Word On the Street