Kickstarter for a plus size magazine

[lauramars]

Just came across a Kickstarter project for a plus size magazine. I like a lot of what they have to say, except maybe the use of that dreaded phrase "real women

Comments

[buttercup_rocks]

I do! I really do want to see a mainstream plus size magazine. And I have seen several attempts to do this on both sides of the pond over the past three decades. Radiance, BBW, Mode and Skorch in the US; Cachet, Extra Special, Yes!, Pretty Big and Just As Beautiful in the UK. But while some of these have kept going for quite a while, they inevitably end up folding for lack of support and/or advertising. I blogged about these so far unsurmountable problems in some detail here, lest I write an essay here in the comments. Obviously I'd like to see support for any plus-size publication, however these folks, while making a clear case for the type of content they don't want in their publication, don't really tell us much about what they do intend to feature beyond the obvious "real" plus size bodies guff.

[lauramars]

I read your blog; excellent points. I think I loved MODE because it somehow felt like a "real" fashion magazine -- it was glossy, with great photography and amazing clothes that I can't afford. It felt analagous to Marie Claire or Glamour or whatever. But it definitely had its problems.

[buttercup_rocks]

I'm glad you know what I mean about Mode. It did look amazing and used great models and had fab photography but I just didn't entirely feel it was aimed at me.

[silvanakathryn]

When I saw the title of your post I got excited, then I was a bit disappointed by the actual project.
The video was what really threw me. The use of the terms, "real women" and "real curves" and then the comments on what plus women can and cant wear. I am a size 22-24 and I wear both bikinis and high waisted pants.
It felt a little apologetic and passive aggressive to me. Not empowering or inspiring.

[lauramars]

I agree, I don't want to read about what I "shouldn't" wear. But I do get annoyed with the "jeans for every body" features in fashion magazines and there is one option for plus size, as though we're all shaped exactly the same.

[silvanakathryn]

I totally agree there. I tend to not actually buy items I see in magazines, but more find like items.
And that being said, a lot of those "for every shape" pieces bother me less when they are legitimately showing different shapes. You can always take the same advice for a larger size in the same shape category.
Anyhow I am off on a tangent haha. I do wish there was a good quality magazine that represented me.

[miauminx]

I'm all for magazines that have a plus size aspect to them, however I dislike the idea of 'real women' 'real curves'.
Body size doesn't mean someone is or isn't a real woman. I think it really sets a bad tone.

[lauramars]

Yeah, I agree.

[diosabellissima]

I'm not quite sure why, but the idea of a "plus size magazine" rubs me the wrong way, just the way a "skinny girl magazine" would irritate me. Instead of us trying to exclude everybody, why don't we try to make a magazine that includes everybody? I don't know, I'm babbling. I guess I just see this type of thing as adding to the problem, not solving it.

[buttercup_rocks]

In theory I agree...except that every existing fashion ladymag is a "skinny girl magazine". I spent my youth trying to bullshit myself that I was invited to the party too - but the fact is I wasn't. The clothes weren't available in my size and every article, regardless of what it was about, was written as if only skinny girls were reading it. Nothing has changed. I'd love all magazines to reflect body (and other kinds of) diversity as a matter of course but until we live in more enlightened times I'll happily support a plus-size publication, (well, as long as it's good. This one really doesn't seem to have much of a sense of direction).

[appajoosh]

Argh I love Volup2!

[lauramars]

I didn't know it came in print form. Is that a new thing?

[buttercup_rocks]

Volup2 is amaaazing!