Critics of Full Figured Fashion Week Completely Missed The Point

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I was in the middle of writing a post to show off the fabulous fashions featured at Full Figured Fashion Week, but I find myself addressing a troublesome issue that has popped up.  Honestly, I am somewhat surprised by the critics of Full Figured Fashion Week coming from within the plus size community.  If some who is smaller spewed the same fat this or obese that then I would have brushed it off and carried on.  But to hear similar biting words from within is quite frankly unacceptable.

As it was stated by Sharon Quinn at the State of the Curvy Community discussion panel if the members of the community do not come out in force to support efforts like Full Figured Fashion Week or bash the events that they do attend then anything gained will be lost.  I don’t know about anyone else but I find it impossible to fight a battle on two fronts which is exactly what is happening.  The usual critics are going to say why should they support the efforts of plus size fashion when even their own members don’t like what they see.

Don’t get me wrong I think that everyone is entitled to their opinion, but even when you disagree with something it should be presented in such a way that it does not stab someone in the back.  I was not even a part of the organization of Full Figured Fashion Week and I feel a trembling in the pit of my stomach at the events I have seen unfold over the last few hours across blogs and other social media.  As a blogger trying to be taken seriously these events are the same as a slap in the face and a kick in the teeth.  Additionally, as the elder statesman among bloggers in attendance at Full Figured Fashion Week how in the world can bloggers be taken seriously as a voice for change when bloggers in attendance tarnish the events?

What makes me even more upset is the fact that Kate Dailey someone outside of the curvy community who is a self professed size 8 completely captured the essence that critics seemed to miss in regard to the events when she stated:

“Strolling through Re/Dress, the vintage plus-size clothing store in Brooklyn, last week, I learned an important lesson in perspective. I was surrounded by cute clothes—frilly lace aprons, sexy leather trenches, pencil skirts, and sailor dresses—and could tell just by looking that not a stitch would fit my size-8 ass. “

I mean common it is not that hard to see that last weeks activities were about WAY more than clothes.  My comment to her blog post was an example of my feelings of the significance of the events. Not only for the clothes but for the discrimination that made Full Figured Fashion Week necessary in the first place.

As the voice of the one male blogger that attended Full Figured Fashion Week I was not only deeply impressed by everything that I saw but honored to be witnessing a part of history.  All of the organizers and participants did a fantastic job of expressing their “voice” to the world that the events were about serving a severely undeserved demographic that makes up the majority in this country today.

Those critics that are not happy about what happened do not see or understand the big picture which in my opinion is letting the world know that larger women want the same shopping opportunities as a smaller woman.  Additionally, she wants to do so without being criticized for who and what she is.  Kate if more people came to the realization that you did when you browsed through Re/Dress then there would be no need for a special event like Full Figured Fashion Week because on every runway around the world there would be representation of all sizes in regard to fashion.

After reading some your article I am saddened that this did not come from someone in the curvy community but encouraged that someone outside of the community saw the events for what they were, which was a call to all women of size that clothes are nice but what is inside is way more important and until the curvy community unites behind events like this there will never be any change.

These examples of divisive behavior within the plus size community must come to an end.  When everyone is fighting for the same cause if all the members do not proceed as a cohesive unit then the entire movement will suffer.  To Gwen Devoe and all of those involved with the planning and execution of Full Figured Fashion Week know that regardless as to what the critics say you will rise above petty jabs.  Please do not let the words of a few bloggers taint the message of the rest of us that truly understand who you are and what you are trying to accomplish.  To the critics, to echo the words of the ladies on Facebook, if you do not like what you saw and how it was done then feel free to put on your own event.