First the Lane Bryant ad was to racy for American Idol now plus size model Whitney Thompson Cycle 10 winner of ANTM who has launched a plus size dating website, TheBigAndTheBeautiful.com has had her ad rejected from the list of Super Bowl commercials.

Welcome to The Big And The Beautiful, the online dating site where you can really be yourself!

I created this site for real women with real curves … looking for real pleasure. Unlike other dating sites where members feel pressured to fit a certain mold, posting older “flattering” pictures or even lying on their profiles, everyone here has the freedom to be their true selves.

So what if you have a big butt? Men love extra padding! Whether you’re voluptuous, curvy, athletic, or tall, embrace your shape because the men on this site are just waiting to meet you.

And guys, I don’t have to tell you this site is the best place to meet all of your needs. Spend a little time talking to these sexy ladies and I know you’ll be satisfied.

As a plus-size model I know how big the demand is for sexy, curvy women, so get out there and start searching, dating, and enjoying every minute of it!

Welcome to your Big and Beautiful life!

Whitney Thompson 

President 
TheBigAndTheBeautiful.com

After watching the video I do not see anything wrong with it. I realize people will NEVER get over the Janet Jackson wardrobe malfunction but what does that have to do with a plus size model promoting a dating website? Nothing in my opinion.

I mean we are not a nation of prudish people so why should I be offended by a plus size lady and not some of the truly offensive things going on like the SOPA and PIPA legislation that this blog protested on yesterday.

Plus Size Model Whitney Thompson

To hot for television or to fat period?  I personally think the later is the case.  I mean with the insane amount of money, rumored at as much as 3.5 million for 30 seconds, you would think no matter how big the characters are there would be no problem with airing the ad.  Maybe edit out the thong shot but that’s it.

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Ads like this are more offensive than saying the word obese

According to studies done in Philadelphia and Atlanta obesity is a major problem and now the term obese and its derivatives are considered offensive.  When I read things like this I get so tired.  In the plus size community we have dealt with abuse so long that when the next blow comes its hard to stomach.  Hearing “medically-obese” was bad enough but now we have to hear that saying the word obese is offensive to many.

As an obese black man living in the state of Arkansas I think I can tell you a few things about words that are offensive and obese is not on the list.  Fat. Jolly. Rotund. Tubo. Lardo. Lard-ass. Dumbo. Fat-ass for example.  I could go on with a few more words that ARE for sure offensive but I digress.  If the people in the Philly study felt bad when their doctor said obese I have sympathy for them but not enough that the word obese should no longer be used.

Why do I have a problem with any word being thrown out especially one that is commonly associated with fat people?  The term obese is more connected to medical terms in conjunction with a persons BMI instead of their actual weight.

For example, a male who is six foot tall and weighs one hundred and ninety pounds and has 15% body fat is considered obese.  How do I know?  The person in the example is yours truly a few years back.  I had the muscle mass of a professional athlete but because I had a gut I was considered obese.

If anything needs to be removed from the books it is the stupid math that created BMI. As crazy as the child obesity campaign is in Atlanta is I do not think that obese should be stricken from the record books as much as I think that the attitudes of people when using the word needs to change. How is this going to happen?

I have a few simple solutions.

• Stop saying the word obese like its a dirty word
• Stop judging people by what the scale says

See that was not too painful was it?  Obese is just a word but the intent behind saying it is where the problem lies.  If you intend harm to the person then the word can cut deeply.  If you are a doctor who is scared to say it then you are just s bad as a person who says it in a venomous way. There are far worse things going on in the world today that are more important than whether or not to say the word obese.

Full Figure Plus - Plus Size Fashion For Today's Active Women

There USED to be a time that it was a good thing for a woman to have hips and curves.  This was driven home by advertising that actually encouraged ladies who were smaller to put on a few pounds in order to not be considered skinny.

With today’s obsession with size in particular smaller sizes its no wonder you have ladies getting the wrong impression of their bodies and literally in many cases starving themselves to death.  Can you imagine having a conversation in which you talked about gaining 10 pounds?  When you see the images below what comes to your mind in terms of size today?

Size is focused on far to much today.  I am not totally sure what needs to be done but the problem is so vast today that even teenage girls are being sucked into the equation in a negative way.  I would love to see ladies like this walking around everywhere and not thinking that because they had an extra piece of bread they needed to throw up to look good.

Full Figure Plus - Plus Size Fashion For Today's Active Women

Why Is A Size 6 Model Considered Plus Size Today? In a world that considers a size 4-6 plus size its no wonder that women in the 21st century have a distorted view of thier bodies. To shed more light on this issue Plus Model Magazine editor Maddy Jones was part of a segment featured on World News Tonight. During the segment the reporter talked with Supermodel Beverly Johnson who was a size 4 at the height of her career and would be considered plus size today.

My problem is not with the nudity of the photos but with the nightmarish world that has been created by the mainstream fashion community telling ladies that being a zero through extreme dieting and drugs is something to strive towards.

Reading the statistics on Plus Model Magazine blog did not shock me but it did bring to mind that we are still in a dark place when ladies feel that to look good they should look sickly.

In the January 2012 issue of PLUS Model Magazine, plus-size model Katya Zharkova is featured in an explosive editorial where thought provoking statistics and statements are revealed.

• Twenty years ago the average fashion model weighed 8% less than the average woman. Today, she weighs 23% less.
• Ten years ago plus-size models averaged between size 12 and 18. Today the need for size diversity within the plus-size modeling industry continues to be questioned. The majority of plus-size models on agency boards are between a size 6 and 14, while the customers continue to express their dissatisfaction.
• Most runway models meet the Body Mass Index physical criteria for Anorexia.
• 50% of women wear a size 14 or larger, but most standard clothing outlets cater to sizes 14 or smaller.

If statements, photos, and editorials like those posed by Plus Model Magazine do not make you pause and think about the state of beauty in this country something is the matter.  Size acceptance is one of the foundations of Full Figure Plus.  Seeing the horrible standard that is being set by the fashion industry on the size of models is downright criminal and really upsets me.

I know there are a few people that are offended by images like those above but this type of visual demonstration is needed to show the problem with size in this country.  If ladies are constantly shown images of emaciated women wearing fantastic clothes no matter how many size acceptance programs come down the ramp women will eventually feel they need to look like those smaller models.

Celebrities are not helping. Jennifer Hudson, Mariah Carey, Janet Jackson have all kicked off weightloss campaigns with major companies and I am sure there will be more and more models showcased that look like they need a good meal.  Hats off to Maddy and the entire team of Plus Model Magazine for showing that it is ok to be a size 14 and up.  What are your thoughts?

Full Figure Plus - Plus Size Fashion For Today's Active Women

Plus size fashion Do’s is part two of the post that started with 10 Plus Size Fashion Don’ts.  Why start with don’t then switch to do?  The logic is like this.  In the world of plus size fashion the critics exist for one reason and that is to try to destroy that which they are afraid of.

So to combat the fashion evil created by size discrimination groups we have to list the things you should not worry about so you can concentrate on what you should be doing.

Before the plus fashion nazi’s jump me and say I have no right to tell anyone what to do my answer to you is, you are correct.  My goal is not to force anyone do anything.

My goal is to ensure the positive side of plus size fashion gets as much attention as possible.  As with everything I write if if does not apply to your reality I am not talking to you. Sorry.

In plus size fashion more than any other niche ignore the size tag!

10 plus size fashion DO’s

1. Do always wear clothes that fit your shape regardless as to what the size tag says
2. Do were the proper foundation garments so that your clothes fit properly
3. Do have a seamstress or good dry cleaner in your arsenal for alterations
4. Read as many plus size fashion blogs as possible to find fashion tips
5. Give your self permission to wear fitted clothing
6. Ignore critics.  It is their problem that they have issue with YOUR body
7. Build a wardrobe of mix and match separates instead of outfits that you don’t wear
8. Completely clean your closet of clothes that are to small or big
9. Take advantage of off season sales when rebuilding your wardrobe
10. Believe that blogs like Full Figure Plus are looking out for your best plus size fashion needs

Plus size fashion is about attitude as much as it is about the clothes

The best part about the plus size fashion DO list is it is made up of things that you are probably already doing or will have no problem incorporating into your daily shopping/lifestyle routine.  The main point is to start by loving yourself fully and then make sure your clothes reflect that love.

Believe it or not critics have planted so much hate within the plus size fashion community that it shows outwardly in the clothes from some designers as well as what ladies choose to wear.

You may be asking now that you are well versed on the do’s and don’ts of plus size fashion what now.  It is pretty simple.  By cutting out all of the negativity connected to size discrimination you are now free to concentrate on looking your best when you leave the house.

If you have not already stated taking advantage of some of the black friday/cyber Monday sales, below are a few sales that are happening right now as well as an offer exclusively for Full Figure Plus readers.

Plus size fashion as a whole is a multi-billion dollar industry that is growing by leaps and bounds

• IGIGI – Enter coupon code “fullfigureplus” for 15% OFF, good now through 12/31/2011
• Lane Bryant – Cyber Tuesday – 50% off Everything.  enter CYBERMONLB at checkout
• Some sales are exteded through 12/31.  Check out Plus Size Fashion: Black Friday 2011 Sales for details

Full Figure Plus - Plus Size Fashion For Today's Active Women

I always like to see people grabbing the bull by the horns to make things happen.  A few months ago I introduced you guys to Erzuille and today I want to let you know bout the new ”Now, I’m Fierce” body empowerment campaign.

It seems that size discrimination happens in every corner of the globe and companies like Erzuille and the ladies in charge are not going to take it anymore and are not afraid to let their voices be heard and their bodies be seen on video.  Some of the details are below about the campaign.  Be sure to visit them on Facebook and check out the clothes they have which will soon include new 2011 holiday fashions for further details.

If that does not get you fired up and ready to go I don’t know what will.  The website has been updated since I first visited the site back during the Summer. You can read some of the behind the scenes stuff in the post 10 Questions…Erzullie – Plus Size Fashion Philippine Style.  Additionally, in November Erzuille will be involved with their 2011 Holiday fashion show.  I don’t know about you but from looking at the photos it looks like plus size fashion is fierce in the Phillipines.  Hats off to the ladies of Erzuille for taking it to their critics to let them know they will not stand for abuse of any kind.

About Erzullie

Erzullie is owned and designed by Bernalyn Cuevas, a nursing graduate from Philippine College of Health and Sciences, and Aries De Guzman, a humanities and political economics graduate of University of Asia and the Pacific.

They both took (but did not finish) Basic Fashion Design in the Fashion Institute of the Philippines. Bernalyn, on the other hand, took and finished Fashion Merchandising there. Both Berna and Raisa are plus size stylists. Aside from the fashion line, they also offer styling services for all kinds of events.

Erzullie is a high fashion plus size line that caters to female young adult (fashionista) subgroup. It aims to promote the fierce and sexy image of the plus size women to the plus size women by means of fashion. The line is available at BACKSTAGE STORE (SERENDRA) and SUENO, (MAKATI CITY)Erzullie is also currently working on/with The Ramp, SM and Ayala Malls for their concept stores.

Full Figure Plus - Plus Size Fashion For Today's Active Women