We left off last month asking 6 questions (click here if you missed it)

I have great news, we have some movement in the air. In fact so much has happened this month, I’m going to have to summarise it to keep it simple:

• Size 16 plus model Robyn Lawley graced the cover of Vogue Italia
• The Mayors of Melbourne & Sydney jointly announced the launch of Mercedes Benz Fashion Festival followed closely by Melbourne Spring Fashion Festival and the need to "get real and put curves back on the catwalk".  This created the usual cyclic media frenzy.  This Today Tonight story featured Jackie Frank, Editor of Australia's Marie Clair called  it a "carefully ochestrated tactic to increase retail sales" and said if we wanted to get serious we "should include the full gamut and represent all shapes and sizes 6-16" - hmmmm (think she forgot the rest of us from 16+??)  This prompted me to write an open letter to Jackie (I'm still waiting on my response!):

Dear Jacqui Frank, Editor Marie Claire,

I watched with interest the Today Tonight segment this week. I was very impressed with your passionate stance on ALL body shapes being represented in fashion and I fully support this. I represent curvy women of Australia, size 16+ providing them with tools to empower them to live their best life. I'm wondering if I can now expect to pick up a copy of Marie Claire (Which I stopped buying years ago) and see models my size 20 body can identify with? I truly hope that this is the case. In my opinion fashion is NOT about physical health, it is about empowering women to feel deserving and fabulous - regardless of size. I welcome an opportunity to add value to Marie Claire and bring back the thousands of readers who would dearly love to purchase your publication - if only they could identify with some of the images. I work closely with lots of Australian designers who are as yet unheard of on the larger stage of "mainstream" fashion. These designers, if given a chance, will change the face of plus-size fashion in Australia. A change that would be more than welcome. I look forward to your feedback.

Love Your Shape, Janine x

• Size 16 plus model Robyn Lawley is the first plus-size model to appear in the pages of Vogue Australia in the magazine’s 52 year history - now THAT’S groundbreaking!
• Myer announced the re-launch of it’s shelved BIB brand, and a “Real” model search with Myer and Bella Models was begun with winners included on the catwalk for the big show.
• Leona Edmiston Plus was launched with some controversy when it was claimed her designs were perhaps not so “exclusive”?
• Myer BIB parade was held in Sydney for Mercedes Benz Fashion Festival. The gorgeous winners size 16+ also featured alongside the professional Bella & BGM Models - the result was fantastic. There was positive and negative feedback, with some saying that the designs were generally “boring, and non-inspiring” and that they expected more. Channel 10 kindly posted unedited footage - you be the judge.
• The inevitable negative had to raise it’s ugly head - it’s never enough that we could just ENJOY the limelight and deserving highlighting of curves on the catwalk - someone had to spoil it: ENTER this article.
• The article generated a huge stir on social media and across the board. I think Chelsea Bonner, Director of Bella Models handled it beautifully with this well written response.
• Big W launched a newly revamped plus-size range called Avella.  Robyn Lawley again featured as the "Face" of the brand.  There was a mixed reaction to the revamp. I took some time to check out the garments on my own size 20 figure. See my independent review here.

So there you have it, a jam packed month of plus-size history & news and movement of boundaries. We still have a long way to go and there are still other areas that MUST be addressed.

Here at Real Women Australia we continue to strive to support our customer to make the most of who she is everyday, and the Industry to move towards fashion that reflects our deservedness and is represented realistically and identifiably.

BRAVO Australia, let’s keep it up.

This month I was honoured to be included in the printed edition of Finally at 40. My interview with the gorgeous Hayley Solich was a real pleasure, we talked non-stop for over an hour! The opportunity to then be interviewed and critiqued by my esteemed colleague the gorgeous Helen Robinett from Image Quest was my pleasure. THANK YOU to all of you for this incredible piece, it's a great opportunity to celebrate turning 40, celebrate my curves, and encourage others to do the same.

Join me for this end of season morning of shopping at 3 great labels in their Outlet Clearance Stores.  Be true to your budget whilst benefiting from professional styling knowledge in a like-bodied environment.  Garment prices start at just $10...

NEWSFLASH: A $100 door prize gift voucher up for grabs AND ONE MORE STORE has been added to the itinerary!  Join me...

TICKETS ONLY $15pp - Be Quick BOOK NOW

Saturday 3rd September, 2011 - 9:30am - Own Transport

Sadly, last month, I learned that Joanne Crowe, owner of Boutique 88 in Perth, WA was forced to close the doors of her 3 boutiques due to a downturn in the market. Joanne and her stores were well known in WA for their passion and dedication to the plus-size market. I personally very much enjoyed meeting Joanne on many occasions and you may remember that I modelled for her in February 2010 for the launch of her Curvaliscious range of plus-size clothing in Sydney.

It just goes to show how very important it is to support local business. We've seen so many stores closing down across the board in the retail market, but we've also lost now 4 plus-size clothing stores in Australia. Joanne kindly donated a WHOLE SHOP of clothing, including fit outs to the Make a Wish foundation - BRAVO Jo, how incredibly decent of you. The good news is that Joanne will shortly be launching an online venture. Stay tuned for more details.

Janine, Joanne & Alysha modelling for the launch of Curvaliscious in Sydney 2010

Until next month,

Love your shape!

Janine x