Plus Size Beauty Pageants Hit the UK

Beauty pageants are a huge thing in America, but are slowly on the increase in the UK.  A new series of plus size beauty pageants has begun, bringing exciting times for wanna be beauty queens called Miss Curvy UK.

Majestic Models and Casting Agency have launched the competition and are looking for ladies size 10 and above and aged between 18 and 55. The series of pageants will hold regional competitions across the UK before the big finale in London where Miss Curvy UK will be crowned. The first heat will be held in Merseyside followed by Greater Manchester, West Midlands, and London. More heats will be added to the schedule to be held this year and into next year.

Miss Curvy UK wants to promote a healthy body attitude and banish the thin ideal. Winners can expect to receive a modelling contract, a cash gift and many other fab prizes too. The event also hopes to raise lots of money for the charity Cash For Kids.

There have been other plus size beauty pageants in the UK which have all had great success. Some people may say that Miss Curvy UK is not a competition for the fuller figured woman as contestants can be a size 10, however we think that size 10’s competing alongside larger women is a positive move as it will demonstrate diversity and that all healthy sizes are acceptable.

And the winner is....

Imagine the scene -

A trendy photographers studio in the heart of Surrey, A new face with hot potential on the plus size modelling scene and a pile of the best plus size clothes from Curvety.com - what a day!

Yes, it was Curvety's first ever photo shoot. Our model competition was a huge success with many applicants from across the Country, but the winner stood out from the crowd with her amazing curvy figure & stunningly memorable looks -welcome Olivia Campbell.

The day started with a rummage through the looks to find the key pieces to picture, while the make up artist transformed our new model into a sultry sex goddess.

Photographer, Chantal Storrs Barbor of Cherry red studios, was responsible for shortlisting the applicants and on the day helped to put Olivia at ease while clicking away. Within minutes you could see that she is a true natural with striking presence.

You can see some of the new shots at Curvety.com and i'm sure it isnt the last you will see of Olivia, who now has a brand new portfolio to launch herself as a plus size model courtesy of Cherry red studios. We will definitely be inviting Olivia back to Curvety in the near future.

Do you want to be a Plus Size Model?

Have you ever considered turning your talents to plus size modelling?

Do you need some professional shots for your portfolio?

Curvety are looking for a budding plus size model to take part in our first ever photo shoot.

It will be great experience for someone who is looking to break into plus size modelling and will give you some lovely pictures for your portfolio. You will need to be able to travel to Camberley, Surrey for the shoot and we will pay your travel expenses. We will also supply images on a disc for you to use to promote yourself.

We are looking for someone who is a size 16/18 and is well proportioned. You will need to be 5ft 7" or taller, however for the right look this is flexible so feel free to send over your shots if you don't quite match this criteria!

If you are interested and want to be considered please email a head shot and a full length shot by the 3rd July to - info@chantalstorrsbarbor.com

Chloe Wins Miss Surrey

On Friday Chloe was crowned Miss Surrey 08 and won a guaranteed entry to the Miss England final - a first ever for a size 16!

As some commenters of earlier posts have pointed out, it is hard to class Chloe as a plus size. She is a young & beautiful curvy woman who is the UK's national average size. But whatever your personal views on what is plus size, there is no debating that within the pageant and modelling industries a size 16 is NOT the current norm.

Chloe is a refreshing change to the size zero trend plus her continued support, from both the media and the public, shows a change in the tide.

Not only is Chloe beautiful, but a brilliant role model to young women.

She says 'Everybody thinks you have to be a tall, slim blonde and I'm a curvy brunette. I want to show it is possible to be beautiful and not a standard size zero. The reaction I've had is great. Other girls have told me I have really boosted their confidence, which is terrific.'

'I wanted to go through to the Miss England finals to break through the stereotype that you have to be tall and skinny.'

'My mum is really happy and proud of me that I am doing something not just for myself but other people as well and my friends are really supportive, they can't stop going on about it.'

Well done Chloe.

Real Women Model Jordans Lingerie

Glamour model Jordan stripped to her undies with 6 competition winners to show that all women look great in her sexy new collection by Panache.

Now more commonly known as Katie Price, she used a selection of different women, from petite to plus sizes, to highlight the fact that everyone should be embraced.

“Fashion modelling is totally different from glamour modelling. They’re all about being skinny while we’re all about celebrating our curves.

“I launched my underwear range on Wednesday and I just got a bunch of normal-sized women to model it.

“Other celebrities have stick-thin girls modelling their underwear but I don’t think that’s right. Good underwear has to fit every shape and size. I just believe that whatever size you are, you can be sexy and you should embrace it.”

It is so refreshing to see a mix of real women that the public can relate to promoting underwear. It is hopefully a large step in the right direction of size acceptance - and by that I don't just mean plus size, but whatever size!

My one criticism is that this new line only caters for a back size up to a 38 (although it goes to a G cup). It would be great to see more choice in nice underwear for the wider back. There is much more choice in plus size clothes - like Curvety.com, but still a shortage in 'nice' lingerie.

Wanna be a Plus Size Model?

Have you ever felt you have what it takes to model but been put of because you're plus size?

Well here's your opportunity to prove you have the talent to succeed as one of the top plus size faces in the UK. One of my favourite reads for the larger woman, Just as Beautiful Magazine, are launching Britain's next plus size model. They are looking for females who are at least size 20 and over the age of 18, and know they are a big beautiful woman.

As the UK's First Free Lifestyle Magazine Dedicated To The Plus-Size Woman, Just As Beautiful magazine have a good idea of what it takes to succeed, and are looking to give one lucky lady a break into the world of modelling. Look out for details in Just As Beautiful Magazine which you can subscribe to by visiting www.justasbeautiful.co.uk.

Want to make an impression? Pick up something sassy at plus size clothing specialists Curvety.com.

Walk The Catwalk Campaign

Plus size models Diane Pellini and Liis Windischmann are responsible for a new campaign called 'Walk the Catwalk' which aims to make people re think fashion.

This campaign's goal is to bring curves back into what people think of as mainstream and change the philosophy that led to ultra-skinny models appearing on the runways. As Liis and Diane point out - they are there because the designers samples are made to fit them. 'Strengthening the fashion industry by broading its foundations is the answer.'

The website contains a number of resources for companies, shops, designers and the general public to use as a guide to start making those small steps needed to change the stereotypes.

There is a long way to go before the industry will accept such a change, however with the growing number of specialist sites such as Curvety.com now available we are definitely heading in the right direction of size acceptance for all.

Jen Hunter loses battle against fashion industry

Jen Hunter won the hearts of the British public in the television series 'Make Me A Supermodel' when she refused to lose weight for the judges even after constant pressure to do so.

Miss Hunter, who is 5ft 11in and weighs 11 stone was shocked by judges, including model Rachel Hunter, who described her as 'fat, lazy and greedy' while competing in the 2006 reality show.

Despite being voted the leading female by the public, Jen was not given a contract by chosen agency Select, who instead booked sub-zero Marianne Berglund - known as the 'walking skeleton'.

Cape Management, a mainstream agency who were impressed by her attitude and the impression she had on the public then stepped in to offer Miss Hunter work - the first size 12 on their books.

A happy ending? Unfortunately not.

Repeated knock-backs at catwalk castings have forced Jen to quit the mainstream agency to join one for plus size women - despite being below the average size.

Jen said: 'I'm grateful to the Cape Model agency for taking me on when other agencies wouldn't. They secured me some great contracts. However, they are a mainstream agency and when I went into castings I saw very few size 12 models and came up against the same old prejudice. I just didn't feel comfortable so I decided to change to Excel Models which is a plus size agency.'

Her decision to quit the agency proves yet again that the sector has some real work to do in order to accurately reflect the UK population. Despite increasing pressure to ban size-zero models for creating a bad impression for younger women, the average model size is still a size six to eight. In contrast to the average size of the UK woman, which is between a 14 to 16. Although models have always been thinner than average, 25 years ago the size difference was 8% compared to a current 23%, a very unrealistic figure.

Nikki Blonsky looks like a star at Hairspray Premiere

Over the weekend it was the London premiere for the new movie release of our old favourite - Hairspray.

Originally a John Waters film made in 1988 before becoming a leading musical. The 2007 re make stars John Travolta, Michelle Pfeiffer, Queen Latifah, and new face - Nikki Blonsky.

Nikki Blonsky is new to the big screen and chose the fabulous Igigi Maya Chiffon Dress for her first premiere. Igigi are a US based plus size designer, but this dress can be found in the UK at Curvety.com.

Nikki shows promise of following in the footsteps of other great plus size role models such as Jennifer Hudson.

Dove Evolution Ad wins award

You may or may not have seen Dove's viral marketing video titled 'evolution' where a normal attractive woman is made up and then digitally enhanced to perfection in order to be shown on a bill board. The final tag line being - 'No wonder our perception of beauty is distorted'.

In what is described as ground breaking for web marketing, the viral advertisement won the Grand Prix at the 54th Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival this weekend.

The 74 second video has caused a stir online and can be viewed at Utube and similar sites. Dove have always been advocates of using normal, healthy looking women in their advertising - to include older women, plus sizes, and women of all shapes and sizes, and deserve high praise for this. Hopefully their recognition will drive other companies to follow suit and project a healthier body image to the general public.

Kate Winslet refuses Lancome touch up

For most A-Listers airbrushing is the way of maintaining the illusion of unrealistic perfect looks which pressure young girls of today.

Oscar-winning actress Kate Winslet was recently revealed as the face of Lancôme’s Tresor perfume. But she only accepted the modelling gig if the company promised not to airbrush her for the poster campaign.

Anna Winslet, Kate’s older sister, told this week’s First magazine: “Kate and I don’t think men like skinny, pointy, spikey women. She feels women should be allowed to be the natural shape they are without having to conform into some sort of image that is never going to be what their make-up is really about.”

Kate has always maintained that she is happy with her size 12 figure and her attitude reinforces her strong resistance to the pressures on female celebrities to become stick thin to succeed.

Digital image enhancing through airbrushing is the model industry standard. Not removing wrinkles, lengthening legs or reducing bottoms is virtually unheard of in the cosmetics industry. This is why Kate Winslet's stance is so unique and admirable.

The 31 year old actress will be fronting the company’s press campaign as well as appearing in a film ad for the perfume. Lancome also deserve some credit for agreeing to fight the trend and use natural images. Kate is seen at the presentation ceremony accepting her new position as ambassador for the fragrance wearing a stunning black evening dress - similar styles can be found for voluptuous women at Curvety.com

Story of a Plus Size Model

How to be a successful curvy model without letting the pressure to diet get to you...

Scottish Supermodel Louise MacCallum earns a fortune jetting around the world and living out most young girls fantasy. But unlike most of the ultra-slim, size zero girls who sashay down the catwalk at fashion shows, Louise boasts her beautiful curves and knows what it feels like to have the relentless pressure to lose weight.

Now at a healthy size 14-16, the 5ft 10in plus size model battled an eating disorder in the early years of her career. with her weight dropping to seven stone before she realised the price she was paying to conform.

'I hadn't thought about modelling until a family friend who had modelled in the Sixties suggested I give it a go. It was something to do in the summer holidays and I thought 'why not'. It was a really exciting experience.'

She was signed up by the world-famous Storm model agency and was expected to follow in the footsteps of supermodel Kate Moss, but in between her first meeting with the agency and completing her school exams she started putting on weight as her body developed to a healthy size 12.

Louise was told to lose weight or kiss her modelling career goodbye. 'On one shoot I was called 'the fat one' and I'd have to put up with sly comments on jobs. It made me more determined to prove them wrong by losing a dress size. First I stopped buttering my toast, then I skipped having toast and finally I opted not to eat breakfast at all.'

All the other models looked so skinny and I felt so much pressure. I was told if I was curvy I wouldn't get work.

''I'd skip breakfast then have a Diet-Coke at 11am. If I was feeling particularly hungry I'd eat some chewing gum. I smoked a lot of cigarettes too and at lunchtime I'd buy a red pepper from Safeways. ''I got into the habit of eating red peppers like you'd eat an apple. I chose a red pepper because it had less calories than an apple.'

'I was still living at home so I'd be starving during the evening. I'd eat the dinner my mum had made me then go in to the bathroom to throw it all back up.'

Her career was going well and she even featured at London Fashion Week but her body was suffering. Her periods had stopped, her skin was pale, she had no energy and suffered dizzy spells.

'I was down to a size eight, which was a tiny size for my frame,' says Louise. 'I didn't see myself as ill. It just became the norm. At home I'd cover up my body with baggy clothes. If my mum asked how a casting had gone I'd say, 'don't ask me, just leave me alone'.

'Starving myself meant my mood became unbalanced but I think my mum just thought I was a moody teenager.'

Finally Louise had had enough and when she was offered 6 months work in Sydney she took the escape. 'I got away from some of the pressures I'd felt at home,' says Louise. 'The look they were after in Australia was more beach babe. Curvier girls were more popular so I started eating better. I was still thin but when I looked in the mirror I thought I was fat.

'Upon her return Louise was forced to face the truth when her sister burst into tears when she saw her. Louise says: 'I've always been very close to my sister and I trust her. She told me I looked awful and I remember her asking, 'what on earth have you done to yourself?' 'I didn't go for counselling - my sister was my counsellor. She was great and showed me I could be successful without worrying about my size.'

Louise resigned from her agency and got an office job where she did not feel she was judged for the size of her hips - 'I felt like I was finally healing,' she says.

She gradually put on weight and with the increase in her dress size she also gained her strength and self confidence. Eating sensibly again allowed her to start working out at the gym twice a week - something she didnt have the energy for before. 'I was happy. I was eating healthily but I'd still allow myself treats like chocolate ice cream. I was learning to enjoy life again.'

In October 2000 Louise felt able to return to modelling. She signed up as a plus size model with Allison Bramwell's agency, Excel.

Soon she was living in New York as a celebrated plus size model - 'At the after-show party in Milan all the plus-size models went out to lunch. The room was full of laughter as we ate Italian cheeses, pasta and drank champagne.'

Today with a 29-inch waist, 42-inch hips and a 36C bust, Louise is more in demand for modelling work than she ever was at her skinniest and has worked for many leading brands but being chosen to open Milan Fashion Week this spring in a gorgeous black Elena Miro dress was an unforgettable moment for Louise.

'I felt so honoured,' she says. 'I knew the applause was for Elena's designs, but in my heart it was the final acceptance of who I really was. I'm a completely different person from who I was 10 years ago - I'm stronger and happier.'

Her advice for girls considering a career in modelling is simple...

'Don't be affected by it all,' says Louise. 'Some women are naturally very skinny but many starve themselves to stay on the catwalk. Be who you are and be careful.'

If like Louise you love your voluptuous figure check out Curvety.com for a fab range of plus size fashion which celebrates your curves instead of drowning them.

7 Tips to being a sexy plus size by Nancy Hayssen

Former plus size model Nancy Hayssen has written a book called 'You Can be Sexy at Any Size.” In the promotion surrounding the release Nancy is giving 7 top tips on how women can boost their confidence whatever their size or shape.

Here are Nancy's tips:

1) Positive Self Talk Probably the most important thing you can ever do at any time is—talk POSITIVE to yourself. Most people have negative self talk running through their heads 24/7 and they don’t even realize it!

2) Hang out with positive people.Ask your friends and loved ones to help you by saying positive and approving things about you. The more often you hear positive things about yourself, the sooner you’ll believe them.

3) Move your body.It sounds so simple, but moving your body can make you feel better.

4) Ask yourself---“How do I want others to think of me when they look at me?” What kind of image are you projecting with the clothes you wear? Maybe you dress to be really comfortable or maybe you dress to be extremely stylish, but however you dress, ask yourself if your clothes are giving others the impression of you that you want them to have? Visit Curvety.com for some new ideas.

5) We’ve all heard the phrase, “Fake it ‘til you make it.” Well, it works. It works partly because the subconscious mind doesn’t’ recognize the word or concept of pretending. For the subconscious, everything is always “real.” So faking it ‘til you make it, makes it happen.

6) Breathe. Yup, that’s it. Breathe. By taking some long, deep breaths, you will begin to calm your body and give it the much needed oxygen it craves.

7) Give what you want to get. Like attracts like. So give what you want to get and you might be surprised at how enjoyable it is to give when you get so much back!

These tips are a small insight into the content of her book which gives more ideas on how to increase your confidence and make the most of yourself. Nancy adds 'remember, you're the only you there is! You're unique and precious just as you are!'

British model Sophie Dahl writes an intimate food memoir

Sophie Dahl was the original British plus size icon who was proud to show her size 16 figure to the world in a number of 'bare all' shoots including one for Yves st Laurent and their perfume 'Opium'. In more recent years Sophie has bowed to the pressure of the industry and has shrunk to a size 8.

It has now come to light that Sophie is writing a tell-all memoir about her problems with food and has signed a deal with publisher HarperCollins to write the book. A HarperCollins spokesman says, 'This is going to be an intimate food memoir. It will be a very personal piece of writing on her thoughts and relationship with food. But the book will not just be about her feelings on the subject - it's also going to be a celebration of food. And I can assure you: there will be nothing in there about faddish diets.' As the daughter of Roald Dahl she has a lot to live up to if she is to be a successful author but Sophie has already had a number of short stories published.

Get the look at Curvety.com with the Mariana lace sleeve top.

REAL CURVES MODEL REFUSES SIZE '0' DIET IN HOPE OF HALTING FASHION INDUSTRIES UNHEALTHY OBSESSION

Jen Hunter has already proved her popularity with the general public through her success as the final woman in Five's show, Make Me A Supermodel. But she could never have guessed the waves she would make in the fashion industries current super skinny model debate.

Her vital stats are impressive: 6'0 tall and although she's just lost two inches from her waist, she weighs around 11 stone and remains a size 12.

The show's judges saw her as a thorn in their side and her size 12 figure was ridiculed on the programme. She was called stocky, lazy and greedy. But ordinary woman throughout the country were disgusted by this promotion of anorexia as judges drooled over the bony figure of fellow competitor Marianne Berglund, a US size zero, equivalent to a UK size four.

The nastiness reached its low-point when judge Tandy Anderson, boss of a model agency, laughed when Jen was knocked out. 'Originally I thought I'd been put in for a reason, I thought they were going to be positive about my size. Now I'm not sure whether I was put in as a token gesture'.

If that was the judges' plan it backfired. While Jen admits she felt depressed inside the house where the show was filmed, outside and unknown to her, public support was growing. When she was voted the winner in the female category, she couldn't believe it.

Now, with politicians, designers and high street stores following her lead, Jen has hit out at the TV show's presenter, Rachel Hunter, and says she hopes the changes being demanded of the industry aren't a flash in the pan.

She said: 'I'm hoping that what I have gone through has helped change beliefs and I am praying that it's going to carry on changing. It would be a shame for the size zero debate to be a flash in the pan, we wouldn't have achieved enough if it stopped now.'

After the show Jen had problems finding a mainstream modelling agency that would take on a size 12. 'There were 'plus size' agencies keen to sign me up but I thought that went against what I was trying to stand up for. Then I was really lucky to join Cape London, who are promoting me in a positive way and not as plus-size or anything else other than a fashion model.'

Most recently Jen was signed as the face of the new Nokia fashion phone and hopes to continue promoting healthy body image. I'm sure she will continue to play an important role in the current size debates.

Being more voluptuous definitely doesn't mean frumpy. Particularly when there is now so much fashion choice - such as this Gorgeous dress available at Curvety.com.

UK Plus Size model competition

The Sun newspaper are running a competition to find the UK's next top model - and it is just for plus sizes!

They are looking for gorgeous voluptuous girls who are a size 14 and over. The winner will get one years contract with Europe's leading plus size agency Hughes Models and be whisked off on a tropical fashion shoot.

More proof of plus size joining mainstream. All those gorgeous girls who aren't the standard size 8 to 10 get the chance to show of their beauty too.

There are a few criteria: entrants must be aged 18-25, at least 5.8' high and size 14-18. So as I am too old and too short (and possible a size too big) I thought I would let some other plus size stunners know so that we can represent our market fairly.

If you're interested - or think your sister, daughter, girlfriend or wife could be modellings's next big thing - Then take a look at the article on The Sun.

Make sure you invest in a new sexy outfit for your pics - I recommend the evening wear at Curvety.com