Tag: feminism

Seeking to be A Perfect Ten

©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,

“People have wanted to see more curvy girls, and now there are big-name photographers shooting curvy girls. Magazines are saying, ‘We don’t really care that there is a plus size model in the magazine and as a matter of fact we’re not even going to talk about it, we’re just going to talk about the fact that’s she’s actually just a model!’ And the modelling agency IMG took on five plus-size models and they didn’t know how it would turn out, they were just excited to have diversity on their board. It’s people like that in this industry—who are willing to take a chance—who are going to keep this movement going.”

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.

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