According to ABC News, the plus-size fashion industry is booming but in an article on the Huffington Post writer Stephanie Penn says it’s bigger than plus-size fashion. She says the media is almost obsessed with plus-size fashion when there are other bigger issues.

Big Girl Chic: Plus-size Retail Growing
Video: ABCnews.com

“We’re openly discriminated against yet all anyone ever talks about is FASHION… There’s something wrong with this conversation.” Penn writes in the article.

While this may be so, the plus-size women’s market continues to grow while the plus-size men’s segment seems almost obsolete.

Healthy is the New Skinny
Video: ABCnews.com

What’s your take on the growth differences between plus-size women and men’s fashion? Comment below or tweet us!

Check out our discussion the the overlooked and overexposed in the plus-size fashion industry here.

Plus-size fashion industry made over $75.5 billion is sales in 2011- CNN. Photo: Eva London

The plus-size fashion industry has grown tremendously over the last decade. It is no secret that the average woman is not a size two five foot nine runway model, but those images still seem to flood runways, fashion magazines and websites.

Finale of a fashion show featuing regular and plus-size models. Photo: Eva London

There has always seemed to be this obsession with body image; what’s right or wrong, beautiful or ugly, fat or skinny. These ideals run through fashion onto the models and surrounding celebrities whose every roll, dimple or otherwise get negatively plastered on the cover of a tabloid magazine. Those negative connotations are not just directed to being ‘too fat’ but to being ‘to skinny’ as well. So much so that some governments and researchers believe stepping in to regulate is very much necessary.

It almost asks the question of what is ‘acceptable’ in the eye of the fashion industry and what is it that the consumer really wants?

Enter the average person

An average sized woman. Photo: Eva London

The average woman wears a size 14, weighs around 164 pounds with a height of five feet three inches while the average male weighs 194 pounds with a height of five feet nine inches and wears a 44.

From the numbers it’s clear that the average person or the consumer is not what’s typically seen strutting down the runway, but this is old news. It costs about 10 percent more to create plus-size clothing compared to “regular size” clothing. This is understandable since it will take more material to create bigger sized garments, but if the average woman wears a 14, why is that woman considered plus-size in the fashion industry?

While the plus-size fashion industry continues to grow and [somewhat] listen to its target audience; there still lies a [silent] divide.

But I love my body

So much emphasis is put on women in fashion. How they look, what they wear, their size and so on. With plus-size fashion making slightly bigger waves in the industry it almost seems like the way to get attention is by showing your curves which in some way translates to ‘I love my body so you should too. Oh and I’ll show you as well.’ Some news stories on plus-size women in print and online often use images with these women in poses that strategically cover up the important parts.

In the media when you have curves it’s celebrated in a sexual manner as often referenced in the hip hop culture. This relates to nudity in plus-size fashion because its continually done in ways that almost suggests sexual undertones.

Curvy women can be celebrated and have their voice heard without constantly showing what it is they actually have. This promotes healthy body image, especially to young girls, without suggesting that essentially selling or exposing your body is the way to gain attention or respect.

We want to look good too

Photo: Eva London

The Cut blog asked, ‘where are all the plus-size models?’ and a thought that never was began to form. Seriously, where are they? Over two thirds of American adults are overweight or obese and that number does not just consist of women.

Of that percentage, 72 percent are men. It’s almost as if the fashion industry blatantly ignored a segment of the population. Yes there is Big & Tall, which only accounts for eight percent of the menswear market, but fashion for plus-size men is not highly publicized nor does it cater to the needs of many of the males included in this demographic. As with plus-size women’s fashion before, plus-size men’s fashion is a little one note.

Men who wear smaller sizes are more likely to find more fashionable and trendy clothing compared to their fuller figured counterparts. You are more likely to see these thinner men walking the runways during Fashion Week.

Facebook Poll. Photo: Eva London

The media has created a male standard, similar to women’s standards, which suggest that anyone not muscular, trim or fit is not normal and won’t be catered to. At least it’s that way in the fashion industry. There are blogs, retail space and articles dedicated and catering to plus-size women, but why not plus-size men?

Plus-size fashion blogger Je Tuan Lavyonne of Full Figured News does not believe there is a market for plus-size men.

“I think that there is a void because plus size men aren’t demanding to be represented.” Lavyonne said. “[As bloggers] We can type until our fingers bleed, and talk until we’re blue in the face but it doesn’t matter if the men [don’t] speak up.”

In a poll conducted on Facebook participants were split when asked if there is a market for plus-size men fashion. Nearly half said ‘yes, we need more plus-size male fashion’ or admitted that the idea never crossed their mind.

So they’re out there, but what’s next

If plus-size men want a more noticeable presence in the fashion industry and more fashionable clothing the biggest step to take is to speak up. Plus-size male fashion is almost obsolete because it’s not being demanded. The answer to the questions posed by other blogs and publications looking for plus-size male models is simple; they are not being vocal so it’s assumed that they do not care.

Plus-size women’s fashion is continually growing because plus-size women are speaking up and demanding brands cater to them. They show this demand through blogs, posts and the social media that ‘yes, we’re here and we’re not going anywhere so cater to us.’ Once plus-size men start demanding what they need and what they like, then that segment of the industry will begin to grow as well.

Check out what the founder of the ThYck Troupe organization, Tressa Thomas, had to say about the plus-size fashion industry, the use of nudity and plus-size male fashion in the video featured below.

What’s your take? Is the excessive use of nudity a problem in the plus size fashion industry? Is there a market for plus size male models? Tweet us your thought using hashtag #theaverageplus or voice your opinion on the Facebook page!

The ThYck Troupe of Chicago is hosting their second annual fundraiser April 28 at the Grossinger City Autoplex. The event, The Abstract of ThYck, showcases the talent of the troupes members through modeling, singing, dancing and fashion.

The ThYck Troupe pulling and discussing outfits for photoshoot.

“If you want to effect change in an environment, sometimes you just have to make it happen.” ThYck Troupe founder  Tressa Thomas said during an interview for Style Life News blog.

Proceeds from the event will go toward The ThYck Troupe and I Am You, Inc. to help toward furthering internal programs such as their documentary fund, mentorship opportunities with City of Chicago schools, and I AM YOU, Inc.’s “Red Dot Resale Shop”.

The ThYck Troupe of Chicago’s mission is to train, mentor, inspire and empower full-figured women pursuing careers in performing arts among other things.

For more information on the event and on ThYck Troupe and I Am You, Inc. visit thycktroupechicago.com.

Photos: Eva London

Screen capture of a comparison review from Amazon.com (click image 2x to enlarge)

Photo: Eva London Taken with T3i

Scouring reviews on message boards and under the products can bring conflicting results because everyone has their opinion. Many people recommend purchasing a Canon Rebel series DSLR since it seems to be more user friendly. With prices ranging between $500 and $750 on Amazon. It is deciding which one to choose which becomes the issue.

The Canon Rebel T3i is a great first DSLR camera purchase. It is great for people entering into photography but has some great features close to the Canon DSLR’s in the higher or professional series. The T3i features 18 MP, full 1080 HD movie capabilities, Intelligent Scene Analysis and much more.

Photo: Eva London Taken with T3i with a high shutter speed to capture motion

One thing that is not debatable is that the best work comes from the type of lens you use. The best part is that the T31 is compatible with the full line of Canon’s EF and EF-S lenses. Check out and try the Rebel T3i and just purchase the body and not a kit. Find a great lens, which can cost as much or more than what you paid for the T3i, and you will be on your way to taking amazing photos in no time.

What’s your DSLR/brand of choice? Join the conversation below, on Facebook and Twitter!

Over 3 billion videos are viewed a day Photo: Eva London

YouTube, a video sharing site and subsidiary of Google, has encountered multiple lawsuits and issues arising from users uploading copyrighted material including television shows, songs and music videos.

One highly publicized lawsuit was from Viacom who sued Google (owners of YouTube) for one billion dollars in damages after finding over 150,000 unauthorized clips on YouTube.

Enter the Content ID System. As defined on YouTube, the Content ID System identifies ‘user-uploaded videos comprised entirely or partially of their content and chooses, in advance, what they want to happen when those videos are found.’ This way content owners can choose to make money from these videos, get and keep up with the stats or block them from YouTube altogether.

Essentially, content owners submit YouTube reference files, of audio or video, of the content they own along with a description and what they want YouTube to do with their content if found on the site. Along with making money, tracking stats and blocking; YouTube also included the fact that the system is fully automated and the plus of fan interaction as other reasons why to use the system. This should be the end all be all answer for protect other people’s content uploaded onto YouTube right?

“It’s a good idea, because it makes it easier for people to track what of theirs is being used.” Said Lauran Carter a YouTube user.

More than 120 million videos have been claimed by Content ID Photo: Eva London

While all of this looks good in writing, unfortunately not all technology is good technology. A major issue that has appeared in recent news involving the Content ID system stems from the issue of wrongful copyright claims; mainly from big companies targeting the ‘little people’.

A popular YouTuber, Teresa Richardson, known for creating crochet tutorials had her slow motion crotchet video taken down, blocked and claimed by Warner Music Group. There was no music, artwork or graphics; just her crocheting and minimal audio. A similar thing happened to an independent rap group, After the Smoke, who had their song taken down by Universal Music Group for copyright infringement referencing a beat used in the song. The beat is owned by the rap group but an artist, Yelawolf, on one of UMG’s labels recorded an unreleased (but leaked) track over it without paying for the track.

So technically UMG does not own the beat or After the Smoke’s song, nor does WMG have the right to take down and block Richardson’s crochet video. Still these users rights have been violated. Is more action required outside of an automated system?

It’s just YouTube. People should be able showcase their talent to get noticed,” said Carter. “When it gets to a point that money should exchange hands, there should be a way for them (YouTube) to determine who the true content owner is.”

Like most automated things, the Content ID System has its flaws. While still maintaining freedom of speech and a free internet, some rules or guidelines need to be put in place on YouTube to better help the ‘little people’ and those who could easily be taken advantage of through this system.

Join the conversation below, on Facebook and Twitter!

An anonymous source is a common phrase that is often seen throughout journalistic articles, especially entertainment type pieces including gossip magazines and online sites.

Infographic: Eva London

According to the AP Style Book, a 2005 study of 10,000 news reporters showed that about 13 percent of front-page stories were based, at least partly, on anonymous sources. Interviewees have a right to go on or off the record with whatever information they may have pertaining to a reporter’s story. It is up to the reporter to determine if the information is good enough to possibly have to face legal action further down the road.

The issue with using anonymous sources is the lawsuits that can develop as well as a credibility issue. Many stories of anonymous sources have brought on libel accusations on news organizations, which lead to the demand to know who these anonymous sources are.

The issue with revealing these anonymous sources is the liability of breach of agreement. The AP Style Book says a reporter ho reveals the name or identity of someone who was promised confidentiality can be held liable for breach of agreement. These problems arise when such agreements are made and the reporter fails to clarify what exactly the agreement is.

Another problem that reporters and news organizations as a whole may face is the issue of credibility. This is something very prevalent in entertainment news type journalism. Since many publications run off of and feed into gossip, many times the source of the information is anonymous or a ‘close acquaintance to the subject’.

Most often celebrities will try to keep certain information from the media and it is that type of information that readers find out about from these mysterious people who seem to have a wealth of knowledge about a particular celebrity.

Story on US Magazine's website Photo: Eva London

A great example of this happens a lot in relation to celebrity relationships when reporting on who is together and who is heading to Splitsville. In recent entertainment news, reports swarmed the internet that supermodel Heidi Klum and husband singer Seal were headed for divorce after six years of marriage, which produced three young children. US Magazine reported that those rumors were not true citing a ‘close friend to the couple’ who said, “Nothing is finalized or for sure. Seal flew back from the UK yesterday and he and Heidi are in the house together now,” friend close to the couple tells Us. “They’ve had a very rough road lately. They’re either madly in love or having crazy fights.”

“Using an anonymous source is more tedious for the writer. One reason is because they have to work harder to prove their credibility.” Said Hope Lockett a college student who keeps up with and reads both entertainment and traditional news articles.

“Their publisher must also be noted as credible. Many of us would believe that the information from an anonymous source is factual if we read it in the NY Times or Times Magazine, but if we read a story from Starz Magazine or US Weekly we would be less likely to believe it.”

Lockett also said she would search out other news sources or wait for follow up articles if she were to read an article that used an anonymous source.

Journalists need to know what risks are involved before utilizing an anonymous or confidential source and make sure that the information is valuable enough to move forward despite possible legal actions.

Join in on the conversation below, on Facebook and on Twitter!

Photo | Eva London

The phrase gag order is not a mystery to people in the entertainment industry. Many celebrities use these words in relation to ex employees, acquaintances and even lovers.

A much talked about example of celebrities or an entertainer using a gag order involves reality star Royce Reed. Reed is known as one of the obnoxious and outspoken cast member of the VH1 hit reality series Basketball Wives. Reed dated and has a son with NBA star Dwight Howard. Reed signed papers in 2009 placing a gag order on her that prohibited her from talking about Howard in the media and to the press. After legal issues followed in 2010, Reed denied that a gag order was ever placed on her. She told The Urban Daily:

“It’s not a gag order,” she claims. “I ended up signing something and I really didn’t know what it was. I was dumb. It basically says that I won’t say anything bad or whatever….everybody knows that he’s my son’s father. That’s no secret…[but]read everything before you sign it.”

In 2010 Howard won a judgment against Reed in the amount of $500,000 which rose to a little over $550,000 because Reed allegedly broke the gag order agreement and refused to pay.

Law.comstates that a gag order is ‘a judge’s order prohibiting the attorneys and the parties to a pending lawsuit or criminal prosecution from talking to the media or the public about the case. The supposed intent is to prevent prejudice due to pre-trial publicity which would influence potential jurors.’ The definition goes on to say that it also prevents lawyers from in the press and on television.

Photo | Eva London

According to Hollywood Life top divorce attorney Vikki Ziegler wrote on her blog that many celebrities demand and include a confidentiality clause (gag order) in their prenups to protect themselves and keep their ex wife or husband from talking about the divorce to other people including the media.

It is clearly understandable why celebrities would want to protect themselves and keep certain aspects of their lives private. Sometimes people take advantage of situations and try to gain from unfortunate situations by talking to the media or developing tell all books.

Not many people are familiar with the use of gag orders. Karen London said she could see why a celebrity would use it, but that it might not necessarily be useful for someone who is not a part of a case or deemed a celebrity.

“Sometimes a gag order is needed because people try to sell secrets and private information to the media.” She said.

“It protects their identity as a person.” While these celebrities and public individuals are protected their secrets, for the time being, are kept from the public for a little while longer as well.

Your thoughts? Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter!

Imagine going to your favorite website and seeing words and images blacked out like in the photo above.  Or worst, the website is not even accessible as if it fell off the internet entirely.

The regulation of the internet varies from country to country, with some countries implementing strict rules and regulations in relation to their citizen’s online activity.

The United States regulation of the internet has evolved from when the internet was first introduced, but has managed to maintain a more relax regulated system than many overseas countries.

The introduction of Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and the Protect IP Act (PIPA) can dramatically change the way U.S. citizens surf the internet; creating almost a online blacklist of sorts. In November you visited Tumblr, a popular social media site, the home page would look marked out or as if it had been censored to show the possible impact this bill can have on a person’s every day online life.

Photo | Eva London

Tumblr, along with Mozilla and other online companies started petitions to help show that people were against this bill that could possibly take away what many felt was their right to express themselves freely. Not only have there been petitions, but some companies are considering “a joint blackout of their services in protest of the upcoming U.S. anti-piracy legislation” according to ZDNet.com.

NetCoalition, a group of fifteen companies which include: AOL, eBay, Etsy, Facebook, Foursquare, Google, IAC, LinkedIn, Mozilla, OpenDNS, PayPal, Twitter, Wikimedia Foundation, Yahoo, and Zynga; are considering taking this extreme measure.

Some major concerns that the NetCoalition have include job security with the creation of new jobs and innovation as stated in an industry letter signed by the previously stated companies.

“Unfortunately, the bills as drafted would expose law-abiding U.S. Internet and technology companies to new uncertain liabilities, private rights of action, and technology mandates that would require monitoring of web sites. We are concerned that these measures pose a serious risk to our industry’s continued track record of innovation and job-creation, as well as to our Nation’s cybersecurity.”

George Williams, a frequent internet user but not an expert on the issue, says this act is a violation of constitutional rights.

“They take enough of our rights from us as it is. I believe this is a violation of freedom of speech and freedom of press.”

Williams expressed his concerns for many of the sites he frequents since much of the content used is copyrighted.

“Worldstar Hip Hop, Mediatakeout, although I visit for pure entertainment; if passed this bill could negatively affect them.”

The House committee on Oversight and Government reform will hold a hearing on SOPA January 18 with invited guests such as Reddit.com founder Alexis Ohanian and Lanham Napier, chief executive of Rackspace Hosting.

Have something to say? Join the conversation! Follow on Facebook and Twitter!

While I did not get the amount of feedback I was looking for and expecting on my previous video, Dissecting the plus size fashion industry, I did receive one comment on the actual YouTube page from a viewer.

From KLoveOnTop’s comment, it is apparent that the fashion industry as a whole is changing everyday. Even deeper than that, the amount of support in the plus size segment or community is great and expanding.

I asked a member of a plus size modeling group if there were any male models involved in the group’s efforts and if not why? I was told that there currently are not any plus size male model representation in the group, but that the creator had thought about adding male models and it was likely that this would take place sometime in the very near future.

One reason I believe I did not receive a lot of feedback on the video, is for the simple reason that people do not know what to say on this topic. Based on the Facebook survey I conducted a couple of weeks ago, nearly half of the participants said they never thought about plus size male models being a part of the fashion industry. If many people are not thinking about this, then once the question is asked and the discussion is opened, fear of the unknown kicks in.

I also noticed that many of the males who I shared this information with did not participate or questioned why I would ask them. This is something that I definitely want to explore more as I continue to develop this conversation. As I continue on the journey, maybe more people will become comfortable enough with the topic to join the discussion with me as well.

Have something to say? Join the conversation! Follow on Facebook and Twitter!

Please join the conversation by leaving your feedback on this topic below and on the Facebook page. Your input helps with the development of this project!

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