Philomena Kwao - Britain’s first black plus size model

Philomena Kawo, 22 from Dartford Kent is being hailed as Britains first black plus size model after beating thousands of other hopefuls in a nationwide contest run by plus size clothing brand Evans in conjunction with Models 1 and Style369.com.

Philomena was one of five girls to make it through to the final of the plus sized modelling contest and as the winner of the competition, she is now signed with a division of Models 1, a company called Excel-Models1.

With her gorgeous curvy size 16 and striking looks Philomena has already had previous modeling experience as she was crowned Miss Ghana UK in 2008.

Since her win she has starred in numerous fashion features
including a beach-inspired shoot in this month’s Cosmopolitan magazine which is out this month.

Commenting on her recent win she said: “I hope to use this as a platform by which I can hopefully
empower girls and young women like myself. I also want to be a figurehead for young girls today who sometimes may become disillusioned by ‘the glamorous lifestyle’.”

Fiona Ross brand director from style369.com hopes that curvier representatives such as Philomena will help change attitude towards body size. Shelly Vella, fashion director of Cosmopolitan UK said:

“She has an incredible face and body, not to mention a professional and driven personality. She will excel, whatever she decides to do.  Personally I would love to see her front a beauty campaign.”

There is a fantastic article on the Daily Mail website this week about plus size fashion bloggers.
We dont get that much recognition so to find such a great indepth article on a major news site was fantastic.

The article is based around Lesley Kinzel whose blog Two Whole Cakes is soon to be turned into a book, and aims to empower plus-size women.

Lesley shares her style advice on her site, along with authors of similar blogs titled Fat Girls Like Nice Clothes Too, Curves to Kill and Thicker Than your Average Girl, which all give the same message: We're fat, we look fabulous, and you can, too.

Fat is a loaded word, with weight and questions of what constitutes a healthy and attractive body image continuing to be a central discussions in the fashion industry.

Lesley Kinzel hopes to change the way the world views the adjective, seeing it as a fact rather than a word the politically correct tip-toe around, or a word the bullies use to inflict pain much the same of course as myself and my own blog does.

Read the full article on the Daily Mail Website.

AX Paris Curve Collection

AX Paris stocks the latest party looks and young fashion including concessions from New Look, Republic, Debenhams and House of Fraser. And the great news is they have now launched their new CURVES collection for sizes 16-26.

For fierce female fashions Axparis offers a wide range of affordable casual and eveningwear to suit every occasion (and now every figure) with great maxi dresses, rock chick tops, summer stunners and shapely silhouettes.
There is no compromise on style, quality or price and plus size style seekers can bag a bargain starting from as little as £18.00.

Gorgeous butterfly print dress. Great for spring - dressed up or down, for work or play! £35.00

Button collar skater style dress takes you in at the waist also with belt and kicks out on the box pleat skirt £35.00

Chiffon floaty long sleeve tunic with stud neck and cuff tunic, a perfect party piece £35.00

Colour block big flow sleeve tunic, can be worn on or off shoulder. £38.00

Showstopping jewel embellished maxidress. The ultimate in party glamour this season £45.00

Clements Ribiero launches at Evans

Finally a designer collaboration especially for us plus size women.

British designers Suzanne Clements and Inacio Ribeiro the design duo behind luxury London label Clements Ribeiro and the former creative directors of French fashion house Cacharel have teamed up with Evans to launch the Swan collection.

Oozing vintage style the collaboration is everything it promised to be. Beautifully cut pieces to flatter a fuller figure, vibrant patterns and inspiring style in all sizes 14-32.

Ive selected a few of my favourite pieces below including the Purple Pansy Print 'Peggy' Dress (above, main pic) which was featured on Gemma Collins ITV This Morning plus size fashion slot last week.

Swan by Clements Ribeiro Printed ‘Joan' Midi Dress £75.00 

Mint Green/Putty Jersey Wrap ‘Frida' Dress £70

Red ‘Joan' Dress with Sequin Shoulder Embellishment £75

Even the photo shoot is stunning and retro inspired......

View the entire new Swan collection at Evans.