Tara Lynn stars in new H&M campaign

H&M's last campaign starred ultra-thin supermodel Gisele Bundchen. So it's refreshing to see the fashion chain challenging stereotypes by hiring a plus-size model for their new ads.

Their fashion-conscious collection comes in sizes 16-30 and is also aimed at younger customers

Recognising the growing demand for more fashion conscious designs when it comes to their larger sizes, the High Street chain is hoping to tap into the younger market.

BiB designer Lisa Hajian said: 'This season a more trend conscious collection has been designed to offer customers a wider range of fashion in sizes 16-30'.

'We have gone for a higher fashion content with this collection, which will appeal to younger customers too.'

Changing the shape of things: Tara joins a growing list of plus-size models who are being chosen to star in big-brand campaigns.

Tara Lynn proudly displays her curves in a bathing suit for the latest Big is Beautiful collection.

As waistlines grow, sales of women's clothes size 18 or larger are booming

The market for large sizes in women’s clothes is booming as obesity levels soar, bringing radical changes to average body shapes.

The demand is so huge that one in four of all women’s fashions sold this year will be a plus size – counted as size 18 and over.

Retail analysts Verdict suggest the market for large sizes, particularly for clothes aimed at young women and teenagers, is the fastest-growing on the high street.

Recent research suggests UK women and young girls are the biggest in Western Europe.

Successful pop artists such as plus-sized Adele have become icons for a new generation of large teens and young women.

And both leading catwalk designers and high street chains are trying to tap into the reality of modern women’s larger shapes with collections for bigger sizes.

Designer Mark Fast caused waves when he used size 12 and 14 models during London Fashion Week.
Last autumn, the billionaire retailer behind Topshop, Sir Philip Green, launched a fashion website for teen girls and young women up to size 26 called STYLE369.com.

Verdict analyst Carly Syme said: ‘Retailers are looking to expand their niche collections such as plus size, petites and maternity to ensure growth.

‘Our research has revealed it is the plus-size market that offers the biggest opportunities.‘There is an increasing need for more fashionable plus-size items for younger shoppers, who are under-served.’ She added: ‘While the weakened economy will have an impact, drivers such as obesity levels and an ageing population in a society where women tend to get bigger as they get older will more than offset this.’

Researchers at Imperial College, London, found that British women were the most overweight in Western Europe, with the highest Body Mass Index of 19 countries surveyed.

The good news is - they finally realise the need for more fashionable plus size clothing to suit all age groups in the British retail market which is great news for all us plus-sized fashionistas.

Jordin Sparks dumps plus-size modeling after 30 pound weight loss

Singer Jordin Sparks shows off her new body after losing 30 pounds using a special portion control diet to get Hollywood skinny.

The former American Idol star disregarded past preachings on being proud and plus-size and was proud, instead, of her new slimmed-down body wearing a (US) size 6 dress and weighing an estimated 142 lbs.

In 2007 when she won American Idol at 17 years old Sparks weighed in 190 pounds, after the show, Sparks says she scaled up to 209 pounds, wearing her highest dress size 13 (US), and eventually settled in a size 12 dress at the end of the year.

At the time, Sparks said she loved her curves. She also said she appreciated being able to fulfill the role of being a plus-size role model for young girls and plus-size fashion model for retailer, Torrid. In several interviews over the next couple of years, Jordin also expressed regret for Hollywood's negligence in portraying plus-size figures, and a variety of body shapes, in media.

Moving forward in her career, Sparks' weight loss was becoming a noticeably hot topic. Jordin claimed her diet wasn't "really different" and she wasn't trying to lose weight, but pictures of an obviously smaller Sparks led to questioning about what was behind Jordin Sparks' diet and weight loss.

In an interview with OK! magazine, she later revealed she'd been working out with a personal trainer while on tour and using portion control to manage diet indulgences. Completing workout sessions filled with running, "throw-downs", stairs and lunges, Sparks began to distance herself from the role of plus-size mentor.
In 2009) Sparks was quoted as saying:

"I love food and I love my curves. I'm very strong-willed and I'm stubborn in that sense to where I'm just like 'No, I won't be that way,'" she said. "I definitely do like exercise. I like to eat right. It's all about being healthy. The stick-thin thing, I'm kind of just like 'Not gonna do it' and 'I couldn't.'"

Debuting her new body on Saturday night, the singer who said she'd hoped to "find herself in her 20's," found the cameras snapping her new weight loss and size.
Since mid-2009, Sparks has shed 30 pounds in weight and chopped her dress size in half.
While she was once proud of being plus-size, Sparks is equally as proud of her newly shaped and slimmer figure, too.

Jordin Sparks Before and After Weight Loss Photos

Evans Spring 2011 Catalogue Now Online

Evans New Spring 2011 Collection is now online and I'm loving the look and style of their new collection which is full of fresh, floaty and floral tops and tunics, flowing maxi dresses, stunning evening wear, cropped jeans and denim shorts plus comfy summer pumps.

Clothes are available in plus sizes 14 -32 whilst Evans shoe range is available up to a size 10 with extra wide fit in most styles.

If your looking to update your Spring wardrobe then check out my favourite pick of Evans Spring collection.

You can view the entire catalogue here Evans Spring 2011 Catalogue

Embellished neck top £29.50

Gorgeous green printed top with embellished neckline and dipped back frill hem

Lovedrobe Floral Dress Price: £32.00

Coral asymmetric ditsy floral print dress with button loop detail 3/4 length sleeves

Praslin Maxi Dress £35.00

Tiered maxi dress with crochet straps featuring sequin detail neckline

Sienna Couture Balloon Sleeve Print Tunic

Price: £38.00 Sizes 16-22
balloon sleeve floral printed tunic with ruched cuff detail

Floral Printed Top £39.50

Flared split long sleeved multi coloured floral top with a scooped round neck.Fully lined body

Team up this seasons gorgeous tops with a pair of cropped jeans or denim short for a great Spring trend.

Indigo Denim Shorts Price: £16.00

Sizes 14-32
Denim shorts with, gold button and rivet detail and turn up at knee.

Put a Spring in your step by finishing off your new Spring outfit with these lovely comfy pumps

Stripe Floral Pumps Price: £22.00

Pastel colour stripe floral pumps with espadrille and bow detail.padded sole for extra comfort.
Available in wide and extra wide fit.

Denim Espadrille Pumps £19.50

Blue denim espadrille pumps with bow detail.

Available up to size 10 in standard fit (D) and extra wide fit (EEE)

Floral Ballerina Pumps £22.00

Multi coloured floral ballerinas with patent toecap and ribbon bow detail

Available in extra wide and wide fit

Up to 30% off at Dorothy Perkins - Exclusive Online Deal

A great opportunity to update your summer wardrobe at a discounted price!

Dorothy Perkins are currently offering up to 30% off their new season fashion tops to online customers.

Tops for every occasion, ranging from casual womens tops to stylish tops for a night out and as they go up to a size 22 its perfect for us plus size fashionistas.

My favourites;

Blue Floral Border Tunic

Was £29.50 Now £26.00
Blue floral print sleeveless tunic with crossover v-neck and border detail

 

Orange Square Flower Tunic

Was £30.00 Now £25.00
Orange square and flower print tunic, with pintuck neck detail and belt

Multi Paisley Border Shell Top

Was £24.50 Now £22.00
Bright multi paisley/stripe border print cotton shell top

Green Frill Sleeve Ponte Tunic

Was £26.00 Now £23.00

 

Rust Hanky Hem Tunic

Was £26.00 Now £17.00
Rust vintage georgette hanky hem tunic with cami underlayer

 

Blush Chandelier Tunic

Was £45.00 Now £31.00
Blush georgette tunic, with embellished detail on hem.

Plus Size Swimsuits for Women

When it comes to choosing a plus size swimsuit you want to select a style that truly suits your shape, flatters your plus size figure and makes you look and feel fantastic.

Whatever your size and shape, retailers online in the UK stock the perfect plus size swimsuits for you. Stylish & Support Swimsuits with Hidden Tummy Panels For Control!

Dont go for a boring plain black plus sized swimsuit - be proud of your curves and show them off one of these fashionable, bright sexy styles.

Ive picked out my favourite plus sized swimsuits from online stores, so whether your off on holiday or just down to the pool you will look and feel great while showing off your curves.

Fan Printed Dress Swimsuit
Evans £32.00 Sizes 14-30

Silhouette Tummy Control Swimsuit
Marisota £42.00 Available up to size 32

Halterneck Spot Tummy Control Bodyshaper Swimsuit
Marks & Spencer £35.00 Available up to size 24

Silhouette Print Swimdress
Marisota £39.00 Available up to size 32

Zebra print tummy control swimsuit
BHS From £28.00 Sizes 14-22

Halterneck Stripe Skinny Swimsuit
Marks & Spencer £29.50 Available up to size 24

Bow Detail Swimsuit

Evans £25.00 Sizes 16-28

Floral Twist Swimsuit

Evans £29.50 Sizes 16-28

Feel like splashing out! Its not cheap at £130 but it will make you look 10 pounds lighter in 10 seconds - the miraclesuit swimsuit.

Miracle Swimsuit

Evans £130 Sizes 16-26 

Plus-Sized Model Targeted by Sick Anti-Plus Size Groups

Stunning plus size model Louise O'Reilly is fast becoming one of Ireland's most in demand catwalk queens, and has even been scooped up by agencies in Milan and Munich, as well as being represented by leading agency Morgan in Dublin.

But the curvy cutie was targeted by 'anti-plus size' groups online, telling her to be "ashamed of herself" for "promoting obesity".

She explained: "I have a Facebook page, which is purely for my model contacts. Then I started to receive e-mails from an anti-plus size group, which I never knew existed".

"The comments weren't nice, and of course they did upset me, and I reported them to Facebook."

However, Louise is rising above the petty attacks, saying that she has received positive feedback from stylists and editors in the homegrown industry, and is looking forward to making her mark on the international scene.

"What doesn't kill you makes you stronger," she said. "It makes you feel like a bigger person in the long run, because you can't help the way some people think. I just feel sorry for them that they have nothing better to do than email me.

"It's just ridiculous and not realistic. At the time it was upsetting, but it's fizzled now. The feedback I've received in Ireland alone has all been so positive."

The blonde beauty will be spending her summer in New York, which has a more lucrative market for plus size models, and is in high demand for work throughout Europe.

The DCU student has now become a role model for women throughout the country, who are struggling with their own body image, and she said that she loves helping women of all sizes increase their confidence.

And she said that women throughout the world regularly contact her to ask for advice.

"That would be really nice, if I could possibly be a role model," she said. "It's nice to know that people can come to me, and know that I'm approachable enough to have a conversation.

"I'd like to make it a more positive shift in line with the American style of thinking, who are overly positive and think curves are brilliant.

"They have all these curvy magazines, and encourage female empowerment of any kind. We are still behind in the plus size modelling world, but hopefully these girls will associate with me until somebody comes along with something new."