Aug 2, 2011
However, specialty shops where women can find plus-size jeans,
evening wear and even lingerie are emerging, while blogs for
voluptuous women also offer style advice.
"Today in Brazil, women have overcome the hurdles of prejudice that
used to stop them from entering a plus-size store, which in the
past were considered stores for the elderly and grandmothers. But
no longer," said Poskus Vaz, who also founded Brazil's Fashion
Weekend Plus Size.
This year's Sao
Paulo event was held in July and promoted styles
for spring and summer 2012.
For 29-year-old Poskus Vaz, a former plus-size model, not all women
who wear large sizes are overweight, but many of these fuller women
often have trouble finding clothes that fit them.
"'Fashion' was founded by aesthetics that are not the same as 'plus
fashion.' But, thank God, there are professionals who are adapting
for us strong women," said Thalita Arruda, the 23-year-old creator
of the blog "Tamanho GG" (XL size).
Under this new standard, 10 Brazilian brands specializing in sizes
10 and up presented their new collections for next season at the
fourth edition of Plus Size Fashion Week.
About 40 models presented these creations made to fit full women
while at the same time focusing on great lines and strong
colors.
"Robust women have won the right to express themselves. Before,
they wore dreary clothes," said Iveraldo Junior, chief of marketing
for the Exuberante label. "We are presenting a collection that
plays with the Latin world, with hot and sensual colors that move,"
he added.
"Today, we have the same styles" as thin women, said Melanine
stylist Derly Miranda, adding that "well-endowed" women venture out
in daring cuts and colors.
Debora Lima, a 21-year-old blogger for "Tamanho GG", said that in
Pernambuco state, a poor region in the country's northeast where
she lives, it is still difficult to find plus-sized clothes, but
that does not stop her from experimenting with new looks and
sharing them with other women on her website.
"We are going to show the world that we, the bigger women, the
plump and the not-so-plump, can dress well and make our
difference," she added.
by Anella Reta