Fatshionistas

The importance of internet blogs to the fashion industry is evident in bloggers becoming household names (some, ‘Madonna-style’ with only a first name, like Tavi). Far from offering a controlled singular vision like a magazine, the beauty of blogging lies in its ability to make a variety of voices heard; from the anti-fashion movements of Suzie Bubble to the intelligent fashionistas who debate politics and Prabal Gurung simultaneously. Now, the new craze in fashion blogging comes from the voices of those women who have long felt left out by the industry; namely, those who are UK size 16+, the self proclaimed fatshionistas. With blogs such as Fat Girls Like Nice Clothes Too being cited in the press, there is no denying that it is a voice which is becoming more public.

An inherent paradox lies within the aims of the Fatshionista blogger. She must express a desire to be part of the industry, yet to make this point she needs to establish herself as the outsider. However, despite this paradox, there is proof that the message is being heard by some in the industry. One need only look at Mark Fast’s SS2010 and AW2010 catwalk shows which featured a variety of plus sized models showcasing his collections. As well as being inclusive, this resulted in increased sales for Mark in spite of the recession. In addition, Roland Mouret’s infamous Galaxy Dress, one of the most iconic and best selling pieces of fashion this decade, was created with the specific aim of showing off women’s curves, or indeed, creating them for those lacking natural ones.

Conversely, there is evidence that fatshionistas still have some way to go to fully permeate the industry. Designer Holly Fulton, in an interview with The Skinny last year, said that she wouldn’t consider using plus size models in her show because of the dramatic effect models have on the clothing. This is, to an extent, aesthetically understandable; Fulton’s designs are influenced by tall art deco structures such as the Empire State building. One may even choose to concede that, as fashion is a form of escapism as well as being functional, perhaps using plus size models diminishes the fantasy element. But when American Vogue (the most powerful voice in the industry) is being accused of airbrushing rail thin models to appear even thinner than they are, and supermodel Coco Rocha, a UK size 6-8, is rejected by designers for being too fat, the point made by fatshionistas is made more powerful and poignant.

Ultimately, whichever side of the debate you fall on, that the phenomenon of blogging allows for many voices which have long been ignored to be heard by the industry can only be a good thing. In a time of decreasing readership figures for the main fashion magazines, the need to stay relevant to one’s audience is ever more pressing. With more designers and editors taking risks by showcasing Fatshionista-friendly fashion, the message can ultimately, slowly but surely, get across.