Last week I took over the Curvy Fashionista and wrote about plus-size fashion making a debut during New York Fashion week this year. At the same time, I was introduced to the term “Belle Epoque Fashion” which translates to “The golden age of fashion.” While the fan in me of full figure fashion and full figure women agrees one hundred percent in this term part of me says yes no. I wholeheartedly believe we in the United States are talking about plus-size issues more but internationally more strides are being made than ever.
Guys you know I am located in the Southern United States and I must admit to knowing only English. Even with that fact I requested a copy of Beleza em Curvas (Beauty in Curves) a magazine celebrating its second issue this month both online and on the stands of Brazil. As I stated before I could not read a letter of the Portugeuse the magazine was printed in but through the wonders of Google technology was able to learn more about plus-size model Fluvia Lacerda such as she and I have something in common in that we are known better away from our home than we are at home. Other topic covered were pole dancing and an article on a fat family who looked just like me.
Why does it seem like other countries are embracing fuller figures at a faster rate than in the United States? In my opinion in other countries tolerance for others is more common than it is in my home country. While I enjoy the freedoms of religion and speech I still have to deal with discrimination because of the color of my skin and others have to contend with problems because of the size of their hips.
Below is a list of the countries in which individuals read Full Figure Plus. Other countries are watching what is going on in the United States. Is this part of Belle Epoque Fashion in other countries? By the way does anyone out there want to teach me Portuguese so I can enjoy this great looking magazine?
United States
United Kingdom
Canada
Australia
South Africa
India
Germany
Philippines
Brazil
France
A few years ago when Vevet D’Amour made a splash on the runways of Italy there was little evidence of a continuation of the trend. The success of Crystal Renn and Fluvia Lacerda on both sides of the water has opened up the doors for plus models from the United States to have opportunities abroad.
What are your thoughts on plus size models getting attention around the world? Do you think that we are indeed in a golden age for plus size fashion and the popularity with plus size models is just par for the course?
