A Message from Americas Next Top Model

I haven't as yet written about the groundbreaking win of a plus-size model on 'America's next top model' recently over in the US. But Whitney Thompson, A UK size 12, has a great message to give out to the industry which is definitely worth sharing.

“I’m not really plus-size in real life, I’m regular,” Thompson recently told reports. “I’m the weight I’m supposed to be and that’s considered plus size, and what kind of message is that sending to girls and boys all over the world?”

Well said Whitney, which is why its great to see the public over in the US supporting a model who promotes a real life healthy image.

As for the goals she has for her newfound fame?

“No one from the generation behind me has anyone to look up to. Truly all of their role models are in rehab or have eating disorders, and I feel like it might be a lost generation because of that,” the model said. “I’m not saying no to anything. I really want to work and work and work and just get everything I want to out there.”

Fingers crossed for a long and successful career for a most beautiful woman.

Is Plus Size Discrimination on the Rise?

I came across an interesting article talking about some recent research into weight discrimination.

Yale university have entered into studies that show that more and more people are facing discrimination due to their weight, a problem which is so widespread it's often more prevalent than race & gender discrimination.

According to Yale there has been a 66% increase in the past decade, to include situations like healthcare and the workplace.

Sandy Schaffer of the National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance says she experienced this first hand. 'I was told point blank, that I was qualified enough and that I was smart enough and capable of doing the job, but they wouldn't offer me the job because I was too fat,' Schaffer said.

When asked if the employer was that blunt, Schaffer said, 'Point blank, those words.

Schaffer is now fighting back with the National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance. She's trying to get 'weight' and 'height' added to anti-discrimination laws.

These are obviously findings based on the US and I optimistically think that the situation isn't as bad in the UK. I certainly haven't experienced any such discrimination first hand just for being plus size but would love to hear other views on weight discrimination in the UK.

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.

Sizenet has UK Focus

One of the problems I have when seeking inspiration for my blog is finding news of particular interest to those of us here in the UK. There's loads of coverage on size related issues but it often tends to be US based, which, although interesting, is not always relevant.

This is why I was so pleased to hear that one of my favourite resources has launched a UK only site! Check out Sizenet UK.

Their site says - 'Back in 1999, finding anything to do with obesity and size and self acceptance was a hard task. SizeNet was created to bring together diverse information from the Internet to a central place. That aim is still true today. SizeNet has adapted to meet the changing face of news gathering and reporting. A style that has proved very successful. Now SizeNet is meeting the next challenge.With the UK Government focusing more on obesity and media interest still increasing, SizeNet has created a website focusing on the UK.'

They too are great fans of Curvety.com, and together they will make you look AND feel great.