This weekend just gone was the eagerly anticipated Plus London event, where bloggers from all over the UK (and Europe) came together like one big happy family. Although I felt a little nervous to be meeting all of these fabulous women I was soon at ease, like I'd known them my whole life. The event was organised by the simply wonderful Lauren (Pocket Rocket Fashion). Whom I must say did an absolutely tremendous job, she's a little star. As I didn't really know anyone (although I knew I wouldn't mistake Carla and that fabulous hair!), I travelled down with my friend Polly, who is now a semi converted fashionista....... well I'm trying convert her anyway ;-)
Firstly we met up at the Evans flagship store in Marble Arch for a day of shopping in Oxford street, where I first met the totally delightful Anika, and I knew instantly we were of like minds and went on to have a ball for the rest of the day / evening. I must say all of you ladies are a bad influence on me. As soon as I went downstairs in Evans I spotted a 'must have' dress. Although I promised myself I wouldn't go mad spending lots of pennies, it was simply divine. So I allowed myself to try it on at least...... though when there are numerous other fashionista types telling you how fabulous you look in it (Lauren, Beth and Amy), its kind of hard NOT to buy it..... so I did :-)
Here are a few of my favourite pics from the day...
(I will put tags to all all these pictures when I get some more time - I promise)
The night time affair was held at The Strand Gallery, where we were greeted at the door by the lovely Lauren who was wearing a fabulous dress from one of the event sponsors Torrid Fashion, and clutching a goody bag for us with a selection of items from some of the event sponsors Carmakoma, Simply Be and Yours Clothing to name but a few (oh how I love goody bags). I wore the fabulous dress I purchased from Evans earlier in the day.
We were also greeted with free champers (which is always a bonus) courtesy of another one of the event sponsors Plus Size Tall. We got another chance to mingle with other like minded bloggers, as there were even more there at the evening event. In addition to all this we had a chance to peek at some of the new Spring / Summer collections from ASOS, Yours Clothing, Carmakoma, Anna Scholz and Torrid Fashion. All of which were amazing. I love the range of maxi dresses from ASOS and the bright, vibrant colours from Anna Scholz. Torrid Fashion also had a pair of the most divine shoes. Here's a few of the pics....
I will be doing posts on each of the sponsors and their collections individually and have some discounts codes to share with you (you lucky people).... so look out for that.
I am truly honoured to have been invited to this Plus London event and to have met such great people, including the totally gorgeous and fabulous Rianne and Queen from Evolve Magazine, who I was dying to meet and they were every bit as wonderful as I'd expected. I hope that we can make Plus London an annual thing.... or even make it closer to me next time lol... Plus Manchester?? Plus Birmingham anyone??
lots of love
Donna
xxx
Since starting this blog I have been looking into numerous aspects of fashion for the 'plus sizes', one of which is the plus size model. The information I have found I feel to be quite disturbing.
Firstly the UK is sadly lagging way behind in the curvy fashion stakes. In the UK we struggle to find any decent stores (high street or online) in which we can get current 'on trend' fashions. There are the few obvious well advertised ones like Simply Be or Evans for example, but we end up paying well over and above the 'normal' sized person. In the states they have a ridiculous amount of places you can get really fabulous, great value clothing from and numerous sites giving advice to curvier women who love fashion and want to look great, Madison Plus being one of them.
Almost a quarter of women in the UK or around 6.2million now wear a size 18 or above, with the average dress size being a size 16. Therefore I think you will agree that it is preposterous that so called plus size model agencies etc class a size 12 as 'plus sized'. Now, I think that no one can argue the fact that this is both disgusting and irresponsible on behalf of both the model agencies and the fashion industry in general.
How can they justify telling young girls / women that they are plus sized if they are a size 12?? They wouldn't even have curves..... well not real ones anyway. It is ever likely that these young girls are running around with eating disorders trying to 'make it' in the fashion industry. Apparently, according to Models Connect as a plus size model you will advertise clothes, accessories and products for the larger woman. Therefore, it is necessary that you represent this look, so must be at least a UK size 12 to qualify. Ideally you will be a UK dress size 12, 14 or 16. Although, sizes 10 and 18/20 are also used, it is far less common..... also you must be 'toned' and your figure should be well balanced and you should not appear top or bottom heavy....... Come on guys!!! Seriously! Do your research, check you market!
There is also a 'plus size' beauty pageant run in the UK called Miss Curvy UK in which applicants have to be a size 12 or above to enter, I find this truly amazing. I understand that retailers / designers want their clothing to look appealing, however there are a hell of a lot of stunningly beautiful very curvy women out there, who could quite easily model their clothes and do a damned good job of selling them. I know that personally I would rather see what a garment looks like on a woman who is the same shape as me, than what it looks like on a size 12 model, even the thought of it is ridiculous.
The retailers and fashion industry on the whole in the UK needs to first of all accommodate to the majority market, which in this case is the 'plus size'. They also need to class the plus sizes appropriately, and lastly they need to use more curvier models without the perfect hourglass figures. We want to see REAL models, wearing REAL plus size 'on trend' clothes. Hopefully with enough blogging and pressure by us normal 'plus size' women, things will change............... and lets hope its soon.
Lots of Love
Donna
xxx
