Full Figure Fashion Week is in, well, full swing! The annual New York City-based event, which is produced by former plus size model Gwendolyn DeVoe and sponsored by Sonsi, a premier purveyor of plus size apparel, is a celebration of fashion-forward designs for women size 12 and up.
Now in it's fifth year, FFW is starting to gain some speed and recognition--as it should, since two-thirds of U.S. adults are overweight or obese. And beyond health concerns (which there are many), the data proves that there are a whole lot more curves to cover.
"Right now there is a lot of buzz around Full Figure Fashion Week! But with anything there is room to grow and room for more awareness." Kristin Mongello, E-commerce Director of Sonsi.com told The Huffington Post.
Stars like Octavia Spencer, Queen Latifah and Amber Riley stepping out in style on the red carpet and owning their voluptuous figures will definitely push forward the cause. However, we can't help but notice that there's a distinct difference between the way those ladies are revered for their larger frames, while their white comrades (see: Adele and Melissa McCarthy) are not. Furthermore, there have been plenty of studies and musings to suggest that plus size women of color are more comfortable, accepted and celebrated in their ethnic/cultural communities.
HuffPost Live tackled this issue on Wednesday night during a chat with Kenyatta Jones, CEO of Belle Rene clothing and star of Wetv's "House of Curves."
"I hate to say it but, thin is in--in your community. It's just what it is," Jones told HuffPost Live host Caitlyn Becker. "I think we're a little more accepted...we're a little more accepted by men and I think it's just sad to say, but it's just different."
The 220-pound fashion maven goes onto say, "Unfortunately I think it is a cultural thing and I think we have it a bit easier. But none of us have it as easy as we should."
Check out the HuffPost Live clip above--and flip through the slideshow below for a look at some of the big and beauitful beauties at Full Figured Fashion Week.
Before You Go
