Plus Size News Roundup 5/29/12

Gutsy Ash wears clingy Elie Saab and a smile

Ashwarya Rai Bachchan at Cannes 2012

Want to see gorgeous? Check out these photos of Aishwarya Rai Bachchan at Cannes. Also read this profile on why she’s famous. Sandeep Khosla makes a point about the criticism of Aishwarya Bachchan that is a combination of “good point” and “facepalm:”

“Why are we setting these Western standards? It’s a Western import and journalists are just obsessed with size zero. There’s no need to be because it was never our thing,” said Khosla who claims to prefer plus-size women over waif-like models.”

Dude, it’s not about your sexual and aesthetic preference, but thank you for pointing out that yes, this weird obsession with “skinny” is born in western thinking. Of course, chauvinism is damn near universal even though it’s not in any way natural.

Beth Ditto wants to put out a line of ethically made plus-size fashion – she calls it the Ikea of clothing.
You all saw that awesome fatkini spread that Gabi Gregg did for XOJane, right? Jezebel documented the inevitable stupidity that follows challenging cultural assumptions about fat women in bikinis. It even has stupidity in its own comment threads. Beauty is purely subjective, changes based on cultural zeitgeist, and can be challenged all the time… duh.

from XOJane fatkini spread

Gabourey Sidibe admitted that she beat up one of her bullies in junior high.
ABC is seeking plus-size women with fashion questions from Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania for a reality show featuring Tim Gunn.
In yet another naked plus-size model feature: Candace Huffine. Here’s also a profile of 5 “plus size hot models.” It’s fine to be sexy, but there’s ample evidence that hyper-sexualizing women of any body type leads to people actively hurting them. We’re talking recorded violence statistics. So perhaps leaving something to the imagination, and forcing onlookers to imagine a real conversation with the woman first, might be a world-improving change of pace.

Candice Huffine on S Moda

Not body positive, but human positive: Anderson Cooper kicked the human Barbie lady off his show.
A new airplane with more spacious economy seating will be released on the market soon – of course, this means another increase in ticket prices. Jet fuel is not the same as what powers your car. It’s more expensive to produce – ANYTHING will make airline ticket prices go up. This in no way justifies their routine inhumane treatment of both customer and employee of any shape or size. and there’s just no excuse for the condition of the TSA these days, period.
The Who magazine special body issue is out, with this quote from actress Melissa Bergland:

“Everyone gets a bit bullied when you’re overweight, but people equate it with being unhealthy, which is not right. I know I’m plus-size. Sometimes I hear myself described as ‘the fat redhead’ and I think, ‘Well, tell me something I don’t know’.”

Miss UK Dazzling Beauty competition has a plus-size woman in the finals.
Seamstresses may find this article on civil war costumery fascinating, especially the tidbit that a 31-inch waist was considered “plus size” during the Civil War. This raises the questions of: how many people broke ribs to fit that motif, and what was the context? Plus size did not always equal bad in history.
Annette Sym, described as a “weight loss guru” is now offering a line of clothing in Australia that runs up to an AU size 24.
Another college campus is starting to heighten its focus on body image issues.
This review of ~~A Big Girl’s Guide to Love~~ isn’t a ringing endorsement –but at least I now know this play exists.