2009 Predictions for the Plus Size Community – Recap

Back in January I made some predictions on a few things happening in the plus size community.  With only a few days before the New Year I thought it would be fun to look at things again to see what came true and what did not.

Prediction: Mo’Nique will talk more candidly about why she abruptly decided to end F.A.T. Chance

Result: She did not talk about ending F.A.T. Chance publicly but she did move to radio, debut a talk show and was in the recent movie Precious

Prediction: Modeling for larger men and women will continue its massive growth rate

Result: Full Figured Fashion Week as well as the work of models like Crystal Renn has brought plus size modeling out of the shadows

Prediction: A major fashion designer will promote plus size fashions

Result: Gok Wan and Issac Mizrahi have done a lot to promote fashion for larger women but there is still a long way to go

Prediction: An independent plus size modeling agency will be featured at the New York Fashion Week

Result: At this point I am going to say this did not come to fruition, but I am not sure will have to do more investigating

Prediction: Within the size community blogs and websites about subjects beyond size acceptance will gain more acceptance

Result: Full Figure Plus turned five and gained more acceptance among retailers in the form of increase advertising.  The Curvy Fashionista went from nothing to industry credibility in less than a year.

Prediction: Retailer Lane Bryant will close more stores

Result: Not sure of the exact numbers but, for the quarter ended Oct. 31, Charming Shoppes posted a loss of $48.4 million, or 42 cents a share, compared with a year-earlier loss of $83 million, or 73 cents per share. Excluding restructuring and other impacts, the company’s pretax loss from continuing operations narrowed to $11.9 million from $42.2 million

Prediction: One of the online e-zines for plus sizers will jump to the newstands

Results: SKORCH and Gemini Magazine had plans to go to print but realized they would do better remaining online.  SKORCH is available digitally for the unheard of price of $1 and issue can can be downloaded to your phone

I must say that I am proud of myself on most of the predictions I made so many months ago.  Though I was not 100% correct on most of them I was definitely in the right ball park.  What about you guys what are somethings you felt would come true this year for plus sizes that did?