• Recap & Thoughts | #BeachBodyNotSorry 2016 •

• Recap & Thoughts | #BeachBodyNotSorry 2016 •

It’s already pretty cold outside but I still want to quickly talk about this year’s #BeachBodyNotSorry project and have a look at the beach outfits I wore this season. I kind of felt that plus-sized beach bodies were more present than ever in 2016. Of course there were a few very important moments like → Ashley Graham on the cover of “Sports Illustrated” or the most recent → “All Woman Project” launched by Clementine Desseaux and Charli Howard (featuring some amazing beach wear by Phylyda – I hope I can work with this brand next year!). But we also had bloggers showing their beach bodies everywhere and it makes me proud to say that I’m a part of this – again.

Unfortunately, this time I couldn’t show as many looks as → last year – on the one hand, there simply was a lack of new beach wear (I just didn’t want to wear everything again, but neither did I want to spend loads of money on new stuff – cause our summer in Germany isn’t long enough to hoard uncountable masses of bikinis and swimsuits), on the other hand, I missed almost 90% of our summer because I was very sick. Even beginning to shoot before the start of the official beach season wasn’t that helpful, so I only managed to do five looks (plus two “covered” beach styles, meaning: one with a kaftan and another one wearing transparent stuff over my bikini).

So let’s recap my #BeachBodyNotSorry looks of 2016…

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• My 9 Favorite Plus Size Instagrammers •

• My 9 Favorite Plus Size Instagrammers •

I spend a lot of time on → Instagram. It’s my favorite social media channel and probably the greatest place for inspiration and inspiring people. Today, I want to introduce you to my 9 favorite plus size Instagrammers:

Georgina Cox • Blogger & Model@fullerfigurefullerbust

George is definitely one of my #girlcrush babes. She’s also the best source for tips for women with a fuller bust, since she reviews a lot of plus size underwear and, as you can see, knows what she’s talking about. I really hope to meet her one day!

Silvana Denker • Photographer & Model@silvanadenker

Silvana is a gorgeous German plus-size model and photographer and last year she started the #bodylove project, which is already known all around the globe. Next week (February 20), she’ll shoot in London, so maybe you want to join her or at least see it live?

Asta Nowarra • Blogger & Model@rolypolywardrobe

Asta is one of my favorite #bodypositive people out there. And she takes the greatest pictures of herself! She’s also an amazingly lovely human being, so please go and check out her Insta and get to know her! :)

Gabi Gregg • Blogger & Designer@gabifresh

Gabi is probably every plus blogger’s idol – she just launched another swimwear collection in cooperation with Swimsuits4all and her success is enormous! She also has one of the coolest styles out there, so taking a look is definitely worth it!

Ashley Graham • Model & Designer@theashleygraham

My absolute #girlcrush – for me, she’s the most beautiful woman in the world and I really love what she does. Her work is amazing and now she’s even the first real plus size cover model on Sports Illustrated. But that’s not all: she also has her own lingerie collection at Addition Elle, which is sold worldwide.

Gisella Francisca • Blogger@gisellafrancisca

My favorite Brazilian plus blogger is Gisella, her style is awesome and she deserves a lot more followers! :)

Denise Mercedes • Model@denisemmercedes

Denise is one of the hottest fat chicks out there – and we have the same swimsuit, haha! :) I like that she’s almost always wearing figure-hugging clothes and shows us all that being fat AND sexy is absolutely possible!

Mona Harlem • Blogger@monaharlem

One of only a handful of German bloggers who really dare to live fashion. Mona’s got an amazing style and definitely deserves to be known!

Denise Bidot • Model@denisebidot

Last year, Denise was the face of the Swimsuits4all campaign called #BeachBodyNotSorry (and the reason why I did → my own project around this hashtag). She’s one of the best-known plus models and absolutely gorgeous.

* all photos are taken from their Instagram accounts

• Private IV | #ImNoAngel •

• Private IV | #ImNoAngel •

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Photos: Charosé
Lingerie: Agent Provocateur
“Cassia”, ”Tina” and “Iyla” bra
H&M+ pants

A few days ago, the Victoria’s Secret Show 2015 was filmed in New York and will air on December 8. There was a lot of trouble going on and I felt the need to post a picture on → Instagram, which is supposed to send you a special message. Somehow, I guess that’s not enough, more like a drop in the ocean (and I got to read a few very sad comments from people who either didn’t get the message or just were rude, mindless idiots), but as we should never stop talking about size diversity and body positivity and especially do something against body shaming, I take these pictures from my latest shooting with → Mici (who has this great project → Charosé with her friend → Summer, two great bloggers, by the way!) and want to spread the words I have to say and hopefully change a few minds.

Here’s what I wrote under → my picture on Instagram:

“With all that #victoriassecretshow trouble going on, it’s time to remind yourselves that these models’ bodies aren’t the only body type that’s good – every body can be beautiful, sexy, admirable and something to look up to. You’re not worth less only because you don’t look like all those “Angels” on stage. You’re not less sexy because you have a big belly or thick thighs, you’re not disgusting because you don’t have a six pack or no thigh gap. Please always remember: you’re not supposed to look like an underwear model, they shouldn’t be your number one goal and you’re allowed to be yourself, fully dressed, in underwear or naked. You’re good the way you are. Oh and because I like to promote size diversity and not body shaming: the models look great, that’s not the point! It’s about loving yourself and accepting not only your body but also other people’s bodies.”

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• Five things I can’t read, hear or see anymore – Plus Size Edition •

• Five things I can’t read, hear or see anymore – Plus Size Edition •

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I’ve got tagged on Instagram for the “five things I can’t read, hear or see anymore” tag and decided to join – but with a plus-size edition of it. There are many things I can’t take anymore. Actually, the whole plus-size thing is a bit messed up and to be honest: there shouldn’t be a term like “plus size”. Diversity is the key – to everything.
But until we get the important changes done, here are the five things that really annoy me a lot. Don’t take it way too seriously, it’s about my opinion and please feel free to have your own. Maybe we share some of the points, maybe not. Maybe you can think of more things, so share them with us in the comment section. I’m very curious to know about the five things you can’t read, hear or see anymore! ;)


8

“Real women.”

Actually, this is pretty offensive – every woman is a real woman. Why is it so cool to only call curvy (another adjective that’s somehow wrong – not every fat woman is curvy!) and fat women “real”? If you’ve got the important chromosome, you’re a real woman. Even if you’re transgender, I say: you’re a real woman. Because that is how you feel. If you feel like a woman, you’re a woman. Period. No need to use any descriptions – or let’s just call them euphemisms – for fat women. We’re not “queen-sized” or “voluptuous” (and the list of silly words is infinite). We’re fat. And that’s okay because it’s an adjective like tall, green-eyed, blonde, stupid and: superficial. Just like that “real women” bullshit.


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“This makes you look fatter than you are / this is so not flattering!”

Yeah, well, sorry, but I don’t care. Fashion is so much more than just looking slimmer. It’s about wearing what you want to wear in this exact moment. Fashion is not supposed to make you look skinny. It’s about dressing yourself. Fashion is not supposed to make anyone love you more – because when you’re naked, that’s you. And if people only love you for your clothes, then we’re back at “superficial”. Let’s say: “real women” don’t care about “flattering”. Of course, dressing for your body shape is always the safe option. Dressing flatteringly makes anyone look good. But why do we always forget that when we feel good, we look good? Fashion is only a goodie. And if I want to wear this tight dress and you can see my rolls, that’s who I am, that’s how I want you to see me. I don’t want to be somebody else or stop looking like me. And if this means that you tell me that I look fatter than I am: okay. I’m not mad at you if you think that being me looks fatter to you, even though you’re just seeing what’s there (throwing on a sack doesn’t make me skinnier, sorry!), but: I can’t hear or read it anymore. And that applies to others too.


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“But she’s not even plus size!”

Well… I’m pretty sure that models like Ashley, Candice, Denise or Robyn don’t care because they’re making a lot of money being a “plus size” in terms of fashion. Still, I know it sucks when someone with a beautiful normal body that’s actually a size 10 is called “plus size”. But that’s fashion, honey. I’m sorry for that and even though I do think that this should be changed, this is how it is. You’re either “size zero” or “plus size”. That’s the business. It’s up to us to remind ourselves that we might be fatter than “size zero” but we’re a) beautiful just like that and b) not a fashion term. We’re not a term, not a size, not a number in our jeans, not a label. We’re human beings who are good the way we are. And always screaming that these models aren’t what they’re working as is also kind of body shaming – for both sides. “Plus size” is not an insult. Please finally understand this!



Ochre-colored linen sacks

That’s my word for those horrible and unfortunately typical (hopefully only of Germany!) plus-size clothes. You will NEVER look slimmer and NOT IN A MILLION YEARS better in these feces-colored clothes. Believe me. Any plus-size shop should stop selling them. They’re actually disgusting.



The typical plus-size prints, in combination with tiny little rhinestones and sexy quotes like “Happy Day!”

No. Just no. I actually don’t even want to say more but: those huge floral or abstract prints are bad enough, they’re not modern, not stylish, not cool. But as if this weren’t enough, plus-size brands (is that another German problem?) love combining them with tiny little rhinestone “prints” – like forming a heart or stars with them. And of course there has to be a “motivational” slogan or something else without any sense on your shirt: “Happy Day!” (not with this piece), “Miami 68” (I don’t think so) or “Summer” (best worn in winter). I repeat: NO.