Bodacious & Curvaceous

She is beautiful- no doubt – but is she really plus size? According to the fashion world, size 12 is a plus. The reality? She’s just a regular woman! She’s not fat. She’s not chubby. The only thing “big” on this girl is her 34DD chest size. Even that comes in a regular bra shop (always has!). So, what’s plus about her?  I still haven’t found that out.

Nonetheless, she’s a stunner. This Scottish 19 year old is well on the way to becoming a leading plus size model. The word on the street is that Gray is in very, very high demand after only 5 months in the business.

What does concern me though is that by labeling her plus size, the industry – while trying to be supportive of size concerns and image issues – is classifying a healthy woman as “plus”. Since plus has always meant “big” “fat” “overweight” or what have you, what message are they sending when they label a non-fat, non-overweight, healthy, attractive, size 12 woman as “plus”??

I am in love with Elle’s April 2010 plus size issue, featuring model Tara Lynn. She is absolutely stunning. The Huffington Post has a uploaded 12 of the magnificent photos. I love the nude picture with Tara’s tiny fat rolls. They’re super cute.

I understand the current trend is to to offer a plus size magazine issue, but is this trend only a marketing scheme to appease magazine critiques for contributing to eating disorders and low-self esteem in women and girls? Don’t get me wrong. I love the idea of a plus size issue by mainstream magazines, but why not an overall of fashion magazines in general? In my opinion including women of all shapes, heights, statures, race, and ethnicity would be more a suitable approach.