Plus Size Clothing Reviews

Reviews: Various magazines and advertising campaigns have depicted plus-size models as embodying a return to the voluptuous Classical ideal of feminine beauty, as defined by sculptures such as the Venus de' Medici and the Winged Victory of Samothrace.

While the Internet has provided a breeding ground for a growing number of grassroot e-zines, model agencies, online retailers, calendar projects and other associated ventures, the lack of a true fashion print publication serving the plus-size consumer in North America has compounded the stagnation in the growth of the North American plus-model industry. With supply of models currently much higher than demand from clients now struggling with reduced advertising budgets, and agencies raising model standards and tightening their belts financially and reducing the number of models they represent, a substantial nudge is required for the industry to experience a growth comparable to that which it enjoyed in the late 1990s.

The April and May U.S. editions of Vogue and Glamour have recently featured plus-size models in fashion editorial and articles regarding healthy body image. While some believe the discussion of self-esteem and body image is not the primary business of the plus-size model, this type of coverage in mainstream media does serve the purpose of furthering the potential for growth as the media embraces models over a U.S. size 12 and shows them in a positive light. It should be noted that a bare handful of models are being used repeatedly in this regard, creating the impression that only a few models are 'acceptable' to the media in portraying the concept of plus-size modeling and the associated industry.

U.S. television program America's Next Top Model has featured contestants acknowledging the plus-size industry's relevance to fashion since the show's launch in 2003. After elimination from the competition most of the contestants have signed contracts with the Wilhelmina agency, although to date none have successfully translated their new celebrity into an ongoing modeling career.

2007 was the launch year for several homegrown calendar projects featuring models over a U.S. size 12, including the well-publicized Fenomenal Calendar. These calendars have attempted to opened up a new market for the models to be seen outside of clothing-ad-only contexts, and have attempted to capture the interest of people outside of the usual plus-size clothing consumer demographic.