Beth Ditto to Create "The Ikea" of Plus-Size Clothing?

Not content on just collaborating with Evans, Beth Ditto now wants to create her own plus-size clothing line. Ditto's venture with the high street store encapsulated her eccentric style; the collection consisted of bright prints, 80s shapes and a whole lot of sequins. However, with her own designs, she hopes to make a fair trade range of basic, affordable pieces.


Speaking about the partnership, Ditto says that as the line was produced in India, she didn't have as much creative control as she had hoped. "I really want to do my own line that’s ethically made, and I can do whatever the f*** I want." 


Known for calling herself a "fat activist", the Standing In The Way Of Control singer has high hopes for what appears to be only an idea at the moment. "I want to make the IKEA of clothes for fat girls and boys." 


With an ambitious plan like that, do you think Ditto is on the right track? Would you buy into a plus-size collection of basics? Let us know in the comments section below.

Andrej Pejic models wedding collection at bridal fashion week

Andrej Pejic has broke barriers worldwide as he opened Rosa Clara's bridal show in Barcelona recently. Though Andrej Pejic is not the first androgynous face we've seen in past years, he certainly is the most sought after. Pejic is considered as a male and female model. In seasons gone by the 20-year-old has modelled for designers such as Marc Jacobs and most famously Jean Paul Gaultier, modelling his couture collection. Although Pejic has undergone a certain amount of stigma for his cross gender modelling career and sexuality, nothing has stopped him yet.

Pejic was born in Yugoslavia in 1991 to a Bosnian mother and father, and was was scouted at the age of 17 whilst working at McDonalds. Though Pejic also models male clothing, he claims he keeps his waist to a woman's size for modelling womenswear. Pejic has also been placed in the top 50 male models on model platform models.com

Voted one of the most compelling people of 2011 by gay and lesbian publication 'Out', there's no doubt we'll be seeing more of him in 2012.

Vogue Vows To Use Healthier Models

   

In a bid to promote a better body image, all 19 international editors of Vogue magazine have promised to work with only 'healthy' models. It is reported that the British, US, French and Japan editions will be the first to welcome the changes in their next issues. 


Theses changes include forming a "health initiative" which is a six-part pact, stating to...

1. "not knowingly work with models under the age of 16 or who appear to have an eating disorder"

2. check IDs for models when casting for shows, shoots and campaigns

3. create mentoring programmes between older and younger models

4. include healthy food options backstage at shows and encourage casting agents not to keep models working unreasonable hours

5. make sample sizes larger

6. "be ambassadors for the message of healthy body image"

However is this enough? Some critics argue that the editors should take on the issue of airbrushing, as this can also contribute to unrealistic ideals of beauty.

Do you think this is a step in the right direction, or just empty promises from Vogue? Let us know in the 'comments' section below.

SLiNK Magazine - "Styling Your Curves And Fashioning Your Life"

Yet another niche has been formed in the market for the curvier girl. SLiNK the magazine solely dediated to what industry calls the plus size woman, has now been published. Rivkie Baum the lady responsible for the publication, aims to promote deiversity in fashion, in ethic as well as on their front cover.

SLiNK features the top news in fashion diversity as it happens, from Crystal Renn to most recently TOWIE star Gemma Collins. Editor Rivkie Baum says, "I loved the Evans teenage range, which I wish they would bring back, but mostly it was so hard, so frustrating,’ she says. ‘I would scour Camden Market looking for clothes that were big enough".

The publication has banned models below a UK size 10. Baum says that SLiNK is aspirational and not a "warts and all" publication. "Of course a curvaceous woman should not be excluded from the mainstream glossies for advice on how to find a perfect size 22 leather jacket" says Baum.


In an industry there there is such thing as 'thinspiration', one can only wonder where to find balance. SLiNK is accessible and inspirational, plus with an online as well as print magazine, it's never more than a click away.