©2017 E. R. Smith All Rights Reserved
A question came up in the comments for my article The Aesthetic of A Full Figured Woman; that had to be answered. A reader wanted to see more inclusion in the dance area of my piece. Immediately I began researching, really because all women would like to be seen as a perfect Ten; a “dime piece”. I fully support this. So began the search for positive images of plus sized women of all creeds and racial identity. I put Meghan Trainor on for focus. Yes, her beats are fabulous! Today Better When I’m Dancin’, is blasting on my mind. I wanted to see current campaigns for positive esteem targeted to the plus sized lady. Current meaning 2000 and forward, so no Baby Got Back, here. Excuse you Sir Mix-a-Lot.
Music
Meghan Trainor is a winner in the Defy Size category; so here you have an homage to her video All About That Bass by choreographer Katrina on YouTube. Love this because various forms of full are showcased. It is well known that while Booty is having its moment in the media, it is usually attached to a tiny waist and a pack of abs. Shout out to Joe Jonas and his group DNCE’s Toothbrush video featuring plus sized model and fashion designer Ashley Graham, as his lover. In an interview Graham stated,
Graham has a fashion line of lingerie for the fuller figure. Hopeful that the image of a love interest, in media, is shifting. Sexy, desirable, a vixen, an action hero, needs to be promoted in most sizes. Awaiting that feature film with a confident, damn it all, full figured woman, being fought for by two highly qualified handsome men. Bridget Jones Diary, really doesn’t meet the confident. The main character always seemed surprised by male interest. This girl I’m talking about has loads of boyfriends to choose from. Hoping Shonda Rhimes, producer, screenwriter, author; will make my dreams come true.
Bishamber Das, winner of the Miss India Europe competition, is Britain’s first plus sized model. Searched her Facebook page and discovered this quote, that is very telling for most women.
Growing Up I Always Believed I Was Never Worthy Of Love, My Community And Media Always Reminded Me That A Woman Like Me Was Fat, Ugly And Not ‘Marriage Material’ For Any Man. The Saddest Part Is I Started To Believe It, Every Time A Guy Would Compliment Me I’d Think He Was Doing It To Make Fun Of Me. Years Went By Different Experiences Came And Went, To Be Honest I Started To Hate Men, Had Trust In No One. It Was Only Till I Realised That The Only Thing That Mattered Was Me.
Art
Located a list showing a visual history of the full figured woman in art. Loved Chuck Miller, especially his piece Seated Nude. The model is so relaxed, confident, strong.
Julia Zhukova an artist nick named the Dancing Brush offers beautiful works of women of all sizes.
Design
Fashionistas come in all shapes, we know this. Plus-size clothing giant Lane Bryant started a campaign #ImNoAngel, to help all women redefine themselves. A finger to the Victoria Secret models with wings on runways. I should say I am a huge fan of the Victoria Secret models especially Tyra Banks. Banks has suffered many a shaming in the media, when her size fluctuates. Singaporean storeowners/fashion bloggers Priscilla Boh and Kayde Ling are empowering Asian women with their I Am campaign. Ling told writer Erin Fisher in a 2015 interview,
“Being Asian with conservative upbringing, Singaporean plus-size girls often lack body positivity and confidence of their physical appearance. These ladies who suffer from low self-esteem end up hiding and being afraid to show their true self and beauty. The purpose of this project is to encourage the girls to accept and love themselves for who they are.”
These ads set to black and white like the Lane Bryant campaign. I am all about positive affirmations. Empowerment is important, currently our little girls are bombarded with what media thinks they should be everyday. We have to make this a conversation. No one’s future is written in stone; or designed based on how one is crafted.
Being a perfect Ten like Bo Derek; has been the goal for many. There are those who undergo in-depth plastic surgery to become Barbie. Slim women. There is a problem when we’re taking beauty tips from dolls and fantasy characters. When do we as women celebrate self? Celebrate women being their best selves. Comment on the confident, clever, curvy women you know; list their accomplishments. How have they shattered the media world’s conceptions? Looking forward to your shares; new additions to a positive campaign.
Related Articles:
What Indian culture is saying about diet obsessions?
Study Says Even Full Figured Models Damage Self-Esteem
24 Songs that Celebrate Body Image, Because The Booty is Having a Moment
The Aesthetic of The Full Figured Woman
This is an excellent post. I love the dance in the video! 🙂 Thanks for sharing this and encouraging so many ‘plus size’ women! This is amazing!!
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Well, as a full figured gal; had to have my say. Thanks for reading. Much appreciated.
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My pleasure! 🙂
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WOW! Respond you DID. I hope you went back to link your prior article to this one for readers like me who take many days to get around to all the posts they want to read.
This must have taken you HOURS to create! Thank you so much — and for leaving me a response to my comment to let me know what you’ve been up to since I left it.
I have never been what anybody would consider a “curvy girl” by any means – but I have always supported women, spoken out against discrimination of any sort, and see beauty in ALL sizes and colors. So, of course, I’m lovin’ these videos!
NOW – how about a Senior Beauty post. (lol NO rest for the weary.)
Seriously, tho’ ALL women, if they’re lucky to live long enough, will eventually come to a place where society encourages them to feel “throw-away” – even as aging men are looked at as sex symbols. NOT that it’s all about the package, but it is our “face” to the world and deserves to be embraced and celebrated.
I maintain a Pinterest Board with tons of senior fashion, beauty & accomplishment memes “MORE than hangin’ in” as my way of support – since my blog is mental health/Executive functions focused – but maybe I can figure a way to do an outside/inside piece with a mental health/self-esteem tie in. I’ll include links to these two when I do, so watch for pings. (end of next month earliest since I write ahead and maintain a blog-post topic calendar whenever humanly possible).
With our current “leader” encouraging overt disrespect for women across the board ::groan:: posts like these will be life changing for many – especially girls (and might even shift a few male paradigms as well).
If I can locate a follow button, you have certainly earned your place in my roster (if I’m not already following!)
xx,
mgh
(Madelyn Griffith-Haynie – ADDandSoMuchMore dot com)
– ADD Coach Training Field founder; ADD Coaching co-founder –
“It takes a village to transform a world!”
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Wow, thanks. I have a Pinterest board for fashion over 50. Yes, you have given me food for thought. I will write encouraging words monthly; to keep the positivity going.
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I hope I managed to follow your blog. It’s 4AM here so I am off to BED the moment I hit send, but I will check it out and do so, if not — it will be LATE, however, or not until Sunday. I will be out all afternoon and evening Fri/Sat.
Perhaps I will find you on Pinterest and follow your Board as well. Can you leave me a link? I have a couple of Boomer fashion boards and one called “Gilding the Lilly” for hats, make-up, etc. – so I’m sure there will be a few repins from me whenever I do.
So much to explore, so little time
G’nite.
xx,
mgh
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Goodnight and sweet dreams. https://www.pinterest.com/erodriguezsmith/ ; yes you are Following. No worries. It is always a pleasure to meet those who help one grow. I am a new blogger and welcome feedback.
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DONE! Pinned a few, liked a few, followed one of your boards. HATE what Pinterest has done to the site – way too confusing to connect anymore!!
Go grab some pins, my girl!
Seems like Pinterest has rearranged my boards – the ones you’d like most (I’m guessing) are on rows 2 and 3 today.
Pleased to meetcha’
xx,
mgh
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