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.

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

2012 is underway and the activity is just as hot and heavy in the world we all know as plus size.  From clothes to lingerie, magazines, expo’s and more.

Today’s speedlinks are all about showing just how much is going on in the community and how its getting harder by the day to keep track.

• IGIGI does photoshoot with Kailee O’Sullivan
• 

fluvia lacerda poses for beautiful magazine

• Boyshorts, Hipsters and Briefs OH MY! Panties are 5 for $25 during the Cacique Cacique Semi Annual Sale
• The Carakoma lookbook is online click here
• Tim Gunn, Hero Of Plus-Size Fashion?
• BelleNoir is back for 2012 with its renewal issue
• 10 reasons to shop evansusa.com
• The January/February Issue of plus size lifestyle magazine Hippy & Healthy is now live.

The International Fuller Woman Expo Campaign chooses Allison McGevna as the new face of the show

50 new wear to work items are up on the Fashion to Figure website

I am excited not only about all the things that are happening but the rumors on the horizon.  If you thought 2011 was exciting just wait to see what 2012 holds for the future of the plus size industry!

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

Plus size modeling is on a roll and 2012 is only two days old! Both Evans and Style 369 conducted searches for plus size models to represent the respective brands at the end of last year. With the bad taste of the American Apparel models search behind us we can concentrate on the positive aspects of plus size modeling for the new year.

With more plus models making pages on Twitter and Facebook they are making it easier for modeling agencies to see the plethora of gorgeous plus size ladies out there who are looking to break into the modeling industry.

Why the rush of plus size models, contests, and everything else?  The simple answer is money.  In the clothing industry the plus size niche is one of the few that has seen any type of growth.  The 2012 projections are well over $100 billion in sales for men and women combined.

The other side of the coin but still connected to plus size modeling is with more clothes available there is a bigger demand by ladies to see women who look like them modeling.

Though the industry says that a plus size model is between a size 8-14 there are ladies like Rosie Mercado, Fluvia Lacerda, Allison McGevna, & LaTonya Mann who are showing the critics you can be a size 18 and up and still do fabulous things in the plus size modeling world.

2011 saw many models and agencies come to the limelight.  I predict that there will be a continued surge of plus size models coming out in particular I think that there will be more models who will make it big in the United States instead of just internationally.

Considering my feelings on plus size modeling these are the ladies I feel will make a big impact this year:

Fluvia made a huge splash on the international scene last year.  Lets hope the plus size modeling community in the United States sees the same thing as companies in other countries.

Ashely Graham has filled the vacant spot in the United States for the plus size modeling poster girl.  I wish that the establishment would realize there are hundreds of beautiful ladies out there who can rock it just as hard.

Tara Lynn is the plus size modeling wild card for me.  She looks stunning in all of the shoots I have seen her in but I think that she has not got the attention she so richly deserves.  2012 will be her year.

There are many other ladies who are independent plus size models who are making a splash.  Other ladies sure to make a splash are included in the post My Favorite Faces of 2011 on Curves and Chaos. The underground plus size modeling world is allowing them to get the experience needed to take things to the next level.  Plus size modeling will continue to grow just like the plus size fashion industry.  Who are your favorite plus size models and who do you think will make 2012 the year of the plus size model?

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

Over the years I have been lucky to encounter several up and coming as well as established plus size models such as Crystal Diggs(seen in photo).  As a result I frequently receive emails from ladies who are looking to get into the modeling industry, specifically plus size modeling but are unsure were to start because they don’t live in a major city.

Though I feel personally Plus Model Magazine is the best resource on the Internet for aspiring plus size models today I am going to talk about what to do if your an aspiring model and DON’T live in a big city.

When it comes to modeling, many people have the notion that you either have to live in California or in New York or Toronto. After all, that’s where most of the big modeling agencies are. Granted, if you lived in Los Angeles, California or New York City, you’d probably have an easier time getting into the modeling industry.

But what if you can’t just pack your things and move to California or New York? What then? Up until now, there was very little the “new model” could do.

The following tips will help you get on your way into the plus modeling industry quickly and easily:

Barter for photo services to build your portfolio in the beginning

1. Take Pictures, specifically Head Shots – Keep them simple. Wear neat and clean clothing. Don’t worry about wearing the latest fashion or style. Keep your make up simple in fact, it would be best if you had several pictures of you without any make up. The same goes for hairstyles. Clear your face of any hair so that your face is fully visible. Keep your hair neat, clean and simple. If you can’t afford a professional photographer, then use a basic camera. Make sure you have good lighting.
2. You will need modeling resume – In your resume, include your modeling experience, hobbies, interests, and vital stats such as height, and weight. This is what agencies will review.
3. Research modeling agents and agencies in your area –  You can look this up in your local phone book, public library and online.  FYI: An agent is optional and if you have the look the agencies will find YOU. The good part about working for an agency is it will ensure you get constant work.
4. After sending out your portfolio – Do a follow up phone call or email every 2 weeks. Remember, agencies get hundreds of portfolios sent to them each week. What will get their attention? Make follow up phone calls – lots of them.
5. Use as many communications tools as possible – This includes calling them on the phone, emailing, sending letters through direct mail, and leveraging the web by using sites like Model Mayhem. Social media sites can also be used but make sure you have your personal and business profiles completely separate.
6. Develop your modeling skills – Look for local modeling schools or classes in or near your area. If there are none, then research your public library for books or videos. If you still have no luck, then you can go online to places such as Amazon.com and other booksellers that will have modeling videos and books.
7. Bonus Tip – Stay clear of any model agency telling you that you have to pay money to sign on with them. In general, agencies receive a commission when they find you work.

Update your modeling portfolio at least twice a year to ensure your pictures reflect YOU

Check with local department stores to see when they have in-store fashion shows as a way to get experience in the beginning.  Though my wife does not feel she has a career in modeling she did several shows for Lane Bryant and had a blast.

Just because you live in a small town or away from the big cities, does not mean that you don’t have the opportunity to get into modeling. All it takes is a little more creativity and a little more thought behind your strategies, but you can trust that many successful models have been in your shoes. Like you, these models have succeeded because they did not take “no” for an answer and had some luck.

Avoid posting hundreds of pictures online – Your modeling portfolio should only contain the best of the best shots

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

For as long as this blog has been online I have talked about size discrimination across the board but as of late that focus has been on the modeling and fashion industry.  Not long ago I wrote about the American Apparel Plus Size Model Search in which they were looking for “The Next Big Thing”  I even voted for many of the ladies including the young lady who won but was told by the company they would be choosing another winner because they did not like the way she presented herself or the contest in the photos.

The photos of the snubbed contest winner Nancy Upton were taken by Shannon Skloss and in my opinion are on point showing things that are supposed to be taboo with plus models and that is food.  For some reason those in the size discrimination community have convinced some larger ladies that being seen with food is a great sin.

Size discrimination in America is the same as that against color, race or gender

Shannon’s blog Extra Wiggle Room shows the blatant size discrimination from the people at American Apparel when it came to the contest.  Using the weak argument of “we as a company work hard and are offended that your creativity won you the contest within the guidelines we set up” American Apparel went to the Internet first then to Nancy to let her know their intentions.  *blank stare*

In my opinion the consolation prize of the company flying Nancy and a friend out to their company to see “how things are done” is the epitome of what size discrimination is all about.  They will probably try to pay her off in some manner even though her conditions to the trip was to be able to blog about it.  From reading her blog the voice that she has is the proverbial pipe bomb waiting to go off and I can’t wait to read what she has to say.

Size Discrimination: The Last Acceptable Prejudice

Do I think that American Apparel set out to discriminate against Nancy and the other 900 plus contestants? Not directly, because that is not how the size discrimination shell game works.  The easiest way to subject a group to a plan is to make them feel as if they are the in the wrong.  The process of how size discrimination works is basically a Machiavellian concept in which the best way to oppress a group is to make them feel their actions produced a negative result even when such is not the case.

Nancy showed the company something they are not use to from plus size women – An intelligent creative voice used with laser precision to expose the problems within the system. The plus size community has been complaining for decades about the blatant discrimination within the modeling and fashion industries to be told to stop whining.  Well what Nancy did is expose the size discrimination within American Apparel which, in my opinion, is a mirror of the entire mainstream fashion and modeling industrial complex and one of the reasons Full Figure Plus exists in the first place.  Be sure to watch the video in the sidebar for more on this subject.

Fight size discrimination on October 19th during LOVE YOUR BODY DAY

You have to read An Open Letter to American Apparel, RE: the next BIG model search fiasco to get what others think about what American Apparel did and is trying to do. As I said before I love these photos and think that thinking of them in any way other than creative photography and great modeling is just another plot by the size discrimination engineers looking to keep fat people in the shadows.

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

Plus size modeling on Full Figure plus is a bonus of me talking so much about plus size fashion.  As a result there are a few emails that come across my desk in which ladies ask in various ways how to break into the industry.

While I am not an industry insider I have come across more than my fair share of plus models and I can tell you whether you are signed to an agency or independent there are plus size modeling opportunities out there if you look.

The opportunities are out their but they are NOT going to come looking for you.  The traditional modeling industry wants to only let one or two plus models be in the spotlight at any given time so if you want to help break the glass ceiling and show the world what plus size modeling has to offer there are a few secret weapons you need to get started.

The plus size modeling niche is growing by leaps and bounds

• I can’t afford to become a model – This is probably the biggest myth out today.  If you are serious about modeling then you should be able to find agencies and photographers who are willing to work with you in order to break into the world of plus size modeling.
• If I do adult aka nude photos that will help – Unless niche modeling is your thing trying to break into the world of plus size modeling via the adult industry is a mistake.  Also if an agency or photographer asks you to take nude photos so you can make it – run.

Social media has been both a blessing and curse for the plus size modeling industry

• I am to big or small to be a plus size model – Though there is a debate over what size constitutes a plus size model the rule of thumb is anything over a size 12 is what companies in the plus size modeling industry are looking for.  Proportions are more important than your size.  There is some debate that fit models tend to cut off at a size 16 but that’s a debate for another day.
• Barter your services to get photos to build your portfolio - If you have other skills related to plus size modeling trade those services in order to build your portfolio to have something to show when you go to casting calls.
• Limit the number of photos you upload to the Internet – Aspiring plus size models should not have hundreds of photos posted.  If you are serious about a career in plus size modeling then only have the best of the best photos.  Additionally, redo your portfolio if you make drastic changes such as hair or size.

Size 18 and up models have to work harder to make it into the world of plus size modeling

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