Ahead of the Curve Fashion festival's return (9 September), Tori Attwood celebrates the full-figured models breaking the mould
‘OF course I eat cake, I’m not crazy!’ – eight candid words you’d never expect to come from an internationally sought-after model. But then, Iskra Lawrence isn’t your ‘average’ model.
An industry-dubbed ‘plus size’ at a size fourteen, Iskra recently featured on the April cover of Women’s Health magazine in a celebration of the changing perception of beauty and health. After thirteen destructive years of body dysmorphia and crash diets, the cover star revealed in an exclusive magazine interview that she wished her younger self-had realised that “health comes from the inside out.”
Self-love and a positive body image is a message that is supported throughout the plus size community. The perception of beauty is changing; a quick search of Ashley Graham’s sizzling swimwear snaps or the fierce editorial work of bloggers Danielle Vanier and Callie Thorpe is more than enough to demonstrate that when it comes to beauty, there is no ‘one size fits all’.
Perhaps we can finally bid farewell to the so-called role models who created extreme body ideals with their ridiculous outbursts – remember Kate "nothing tastes as good as skinny feels" Moss of the 90’s? (try bacon-loaded fries, love).
Today’s influencers are curvy, carefree and teaching us to love ourselves, wobbly bits and all.
Although the blogging community has been at the forefront of the plus size movement for years, big high street names are finally taking notice. Nike , River Island and Ebay are just some of the key players who have recently joined the plus size discussion by launching extended size ranges (just don’t mention Zara’s total sh*t storm of a ‘love your [non-existent] curves’ campaign ). The face of fashion is changing, embracing a curvier muse who doesn’t succumb to dangerous diet fads and probably eats the odd cake or too (finally, some role models we can relate to).
It’s a movement that The Curve Fashion Festival is more than ready to celebrate.
Back for the third year running, the UK’s largest plus size fashion event plans to promote body positivity and plus size fashion at Liverpool’s Exhibition Centre (9 September 2017). Big high street names have already jumped at the chance to showcase their lines, with appearances from River Island, Missguided, Boohoo and Yours on the agenda.
The event is a firm favourite amongst plus size fashionistas, with previous celebrity guests including Hayley Hasselhoff, Tess Holliday and TOWIE’s Gemma Collins.
Zoe Pennick, the brains behind the industry-challenging event, confirms that 2017’s Curve Fashion Festival is bigger and better than ever before.
“We’re absolutely delighted to be bringing The Curve Fashion Festival back to Liverpool this September, and those that enjoyed it last year will be thrilled to see how much the event has developed. This exciting fashion festival has become the UK’s largest plus size fashion and retail event. It’s the ultimate shopping experience located on the city’s iconic waterfront.”
This year’s show has added Menswear and Bridal wear, two key areas often under-represented on the plus size market, to the mix in a bid to broaden the event’s appeal, whilst an array of food stalls and pop-up bars promise to satisfy your post-shopping hunger.
The event adds another dynamic to Liverpool’s ever-growing fashion credentials, with the revamped Clothes Show Live set to debut its relaunched catwalk in the city this summer.
Don’t miss out: get your tickets for the Curve Fashion Festival here.
