Note from BW of Brazil: Having gone to a recent fashion event which featured black women of all shapes, hair textures and skin tones, I thought it was time to show a little love to black brasileiras who are doing their thing in the world of Plus Size models. It’s a shame, but as one of my model contacts recently revealed, even inside of the world of the Plus Size Model, white and/or blond women are still chosen over black women. The model revealed how one of her friends, also a Plus Size Model, had won a Plus Size competition but had received very few calls to modeling shows requesting larger women. She went on to say how her friend mentioned how she had watched how the white women who came in second and third place in the contest in which she won get many more invitations to shows than she.
Although my contact wouldn’t reveal the name of the model, I DO wonder if it could have been Josiane Lyra, who had come in first place in a Plus Size contest last year. It’s not surprising. In Brazil, EVERYTHING is deemed better if it is wrapped in white skin. Too many examples of Brazil’s “dictatorship of whiteness” to list here, so let’s just appreciate the models featured in today’s post, courtesy of Criloura, one of bloggers who is giving black Brazilian women a voice in the online community.
Black Plus Size Fashion Models – Yes, we can!
By Criloura
Hey guys! How ya doin’? I missed you all but I’m back and the subject of this post is plus size fashion. You know what this is?
Plus Size is an English term meaning large size, i.e. size for gordinhas (thick, full figured), cheinhas (chubby) or however you wish to call it. In general, plus sizes start from number 44. In the case of the person who wrote to us, in some cases, it’s 46. So yes I am plus size. And you?
In my case, my proportions are affirmed I also l assume my status as a mulher negra e gorda (thick/fat black woman), yes. This is a serious, important issue and that needs to be taken up for discussion and reflection, as the image of both profiles tend to be denied by the standardization that society impose upon us.
Because of this, many women have low self esteem and devalued because they meet these two qualities. Hey, feel happy and privileged of being who you are and to appreciate yourself. Let’s fight and be happier with what we are and what we have.
In my research I found several black Brazilian plus size models, and that’s cool. I present a gallery of photos of them so we can get inspired, strengthen ourselves and appreciate what we are as people. Check it out!
This is the person who speaks to us, me. Thick yes, negra and favelada (slum resident). Why not? I am what I am and this does not disqualify me!!!!
People, let’s remember that there is no standard beauty, but the beauty that each one of us has and possess, but for being what we are and what we have.
So, appreciate yourself! Be you! Look at yourself, recreate yourself. Create your concepts you’re your standards. Be free!
I hope you enjoyed.
Until the next post, kisses!
Source: Criloura
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