Tassels, primary colours and ditzy florals rule the runway at UK Plus Size Fashion Week
Fashion blogger Andrea DaSilva (@brasilnality) headed down to The Yard in London for this year's UK Plus Size Fashion Week
THE fashion world still has a long way to go when it comes to representation.
But UK Plus Size Fashion Week (UKPSFW), held on Saturday at The Yard in London’s trendy Shoreditch, aimed to give curvy, fuller-figured women style inspiration and confidence, as well as challenge perceptions and open up debate about body size.
I am a plus size blogger and social media expert. I use my platform to empower my 13,000 Instagram followers, showing off my on-trend outfits and proving style doesn’t just come in a size eight.
I live by the saying, “Life is only as good as your mindset!” It’s not about your dress size; if you like the way you look, and feel comfortable in your skin, no one can tell you otherwise.
Ahead of the catwalk, an expert panel, which included The Voice’s Tai Bannick, X Factor stylist Lucas Armitage and Scummy Mummy comedian Helen Thorn, debated: “Does size matter?” and, examined the terminology around non sample size women. Should we use plus size, fat, thick, curvy…? It’s a minefield.
Tai, who wore a yellow slogan sweater and gold hoop earrings, revealed she isn’t a fan of the term plus size, and prefers to describe herself as “thick”. Growing up, the Manners singer struggled with weight insecurities and said she constantly compared herself to others.
She said she’s pleased being plus size is no longer a bad thing and that more brands are creating size 16 plus lines. Her favourite is PS by PrettyLittleThing.
Meanwhile, Helen joked she's a “happy fatty” who doesn’t mind about labels. Plus size blogger Lottie Lamour said societal influence still plays a key role in her thoughts: “My size absolutely matters to me because it still matters to society!”
While model Diana Sirokai thinks “size really doesn’t matter, what matters is if you expect yourself within, who you are.”
Diana recreated the new Kardashian Calvin Klein underwear campaign with fellow curvy models and generated a call-to-action for brands to consider all sizes - not just people with Kim K bodies. Her dream is for Gucci, her favourite designer brand, to size up.
The Be Real Campaign (#beproudbeyou) was a prominent feature at the event. A photo and quote wall gave an insight into attendees backgrounds, what they’ve gone through and how they’ve learnt to love themselves.
The takeaway point from the panel discussion was that the majority of curvy girls don’t feel like they’re being catered to. Few high-street – and rarely any designer – brands go up to a size 18. It’s time they learned everyone is different. There is no one-size-fits-all.
The highlight of the evening was the catwalk presentation, which featured new lines by brands such as Marks & Spencer, Curvissima and Perlicious.
M&S has gone through a dramatic change, they don’t just appeal to skinny 40+ women anymore, there is something for everyone. My top picks were the ditsy print dress, worn by model Danielle Esprit, a floral maxi dress with a flower basket handbag by Nine X and a floral maxi dress from Curvissima, worn by model Abby Russell.
Curve model Abby Russell (@curvyliving) walked down the catwalk as a confident, strong woman, and yelled to the crowd: “Hopefully people left feeling empowered and confident within themselves. Style does not have a size, embrace your body and own it!”
The atmosphere throughout the event was brilliant. People were passionate and felt empowered; there was no space for negativity or judgement.
Influencers like Ella from @fatgirlfashioninspo, Rachel from @ukafrolista, Camilla from @camillaboglione as well as UK model Nicole Moses and Miss International Curve Kat Henry attended and posed for selfies with fans.
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My only bugbear was it would’ve been nice to have seen more inclusion of different races in the panel. But it’s clear: self-love and empowerment have built an amazing community of diverse women supporting each other and claiming their place in the plus size fashion market.
Meanwhile, M&S has launched a bold and beautiful plus-size summer range – with dresses from just £19.50.
And, here are 12 plus-size prom dresses under £35 to make you feel like a queen.
Follow Andrea at @brasilnality