Tyra Banks announces "fiercely real" plus-size model search

Tyra Banks announced this week that her latest modeling competition will involve plus-sized teens. She calls the competition the first "fiercely real" teen model search, as it is open to any girl between the ages of 13 and 19 who wear a size between 12 and 20, and are between 5'9" and 6'1".

Now I love me some Tyra. I think she's a beautiful woman, a wonderful role model, and that she genuinely cares about girls in America. I also know and love the plus-size world. It's not easy being "plus-size" as an adult and I imagine its even more difficult as a teenager. Thinking about the difficulties, I'm excited about the prospect of young plus-size women having the chance to show off their curves on a national stage.

A few things about this competition jump out at me though. For starters, Tyra's plus-size models will not be competing on a season of her show America's Next Top Model. Instead, contestants will submit an application with photos and finalists will be announced on an episode of The Tyra Show, and the winner will be revealed the following day. The winner of the Fiercely Real Teen Model Search will win a one-year modeling contract and a spread in a major fashion magazine, however, just like the winners of ANTM.

I am a little disappointed that Tyra's search won't result in a season of ANTM. I suppose that there are several reasons for this, including the fact that TV shows are still sponsored by advertisers, some of whom may not share Tyra's appreciation for girls of all sizes. I also suspect that a few of Tyra's modeling gurus who appear on the show -- including runway coaches, photographers, fashion designers, makeup artists, and the like -- may not want to be associated with plus-size girls, or don't believe that high-fashion can be plus-sized. While I certainly think this is wrong, I understand that our society is still driven by the almighty dollar, and an often-impossible standard of beauty.

I've also heard a lot of griping about the fact that the girls must still be between 5'9" and 6'1". This is not a fact that bothers me. While I'm all for elevating young girls' self-esteem and celebrating bodies of all types, models in the industry simply aren't often short. If plus-size girls have to be tall to model in this competition so be it; at least its a start.

The only other thing I hope for is that the winner of the Fiercely Real Teen Model Search ends up somewhere in the middle of range. No offense, but a 6'1" size 12 model is hardly plus-size. I hope a lovely young woman wins because of her unique beauty and curves, not because she's the smallest of the plus-sized contestants.

All negativity aside, I do hope the winner of Tyra's plus-size model search is featured in Glamour, one of my favorite magazines and one of the few glossies that is committed to featuring plus-size (and even "real-size") girls in their magazine. I know that the winner's curves would be appreciated by Glamour's readers and that such exposure to the mainstream media would help boost her career.

In a statement to Us magazine, Tyra said, "I've always felt it was my mission to expand the narrow perceptions of beauty." She went on to talk about "celebrating non-traditional beauty" and expressed her disappointment that the term "plus-sized" has a negative connotation, when it refers to the average American woman.

"That woman is healthy, fit and beautiful," said Banks. "Adolescence is such an impressionable time in a young woman's life, and I hope this contest helps teen girls discover their own beauty from the inside out."

I do too, Tyra. And I can't wait to see the results.

Tune in to The Tyra Show on March 2 to see the winner of the Fiercely Real Teen Model Search.

Bigger sizes not bringing in bigger bucks: why the sale of plus-size clothes is down

Last week the Associated Press ran a story about a slow-down in the sale of plus-size clothes. The article discusses market researcher's ideas as to why sales have slowed; overall, I find their theories unlikely and misguided. Among the theories? Retailers don't want to send out "the wrong image" by marketing to plus-size shoppers, plus-size shoppers prefer to shop online, and plus-size women have been hit harder than average-size women by cuts in pay.

Oh please.

Being a plus-size woman, I have a few of my own theories on why plus-size clothing sales may be down. The number one reason in my book? They were too expensive to begin with! Retailers like Lane Bryant, The Avenue, and Torrid cater to plus-size women, offer fashions exclusively to those size 14+, and have used their niche to charge high prices for plus-size clothes. Given that many stores do not offer attractive options for plus-size ladies, many women were forced to shop at these stores and pay the exorbitant prices. In this economy, however, people can't afford $98 blouses, $188 jeans, or $70 "casual" dresses.

I believe that women are finally cluing in that they shouldn't have to pay super-high prices for clothes simply because they're overweight. As the argument goes, it's more material, but it's not so much more that a size 1X sweater should cost $20 more than a size XL sweater! And women shouldn't have to pay for the "convenience" of shopping in stores that cater to carrying their sizes.

I buy most of my clothes at Kohl's, a department store that has a reasonable selection of plus-size clothes that are both trendy and classic and of good quality. The clothes I buy there are nearly always on sale and those that aren't I buy with coupons. It's more economically sensible than spending two- or three-times as much at a specialty store, and I leave with great clothes. Plus, since Kohl's is a department store, I can also pick up new towels, a toaster oven, or some makeup while I'm there; it's one-stop shopping.

The AP reports that other department stores are getting in on the action, and I see it as a step in the right direction. With more than half of American women wearing plus-sizes, featuring plus-size fashion in most department stores makes simple financial sense. Plus, long-gone are the days of mumus and sack-like garments made to conceal the body. Plus-size women want fashionable outfits just like average-size women. Stores like Bloomingdales, JCPenney, and Macy's all offer plus-size lines, which the AP reports is good for business.

I'm perhaps most excited by the prospect of stores like Forever 21 (a clothing retailer aimed at teenagers) creating plus-size lines. Teenagers and young people need fashionable options that fit their bodies and lifestyles, regardless of their size. It's hard enough to be a plus-size woman; I think it's even harder to be a plus-size teenager, dealing with all the other perils of adolescence. Why trendy retailers haven't thought to reach out to plus-size teenagers before this is beyond me. Teenagers have always had more disposable income than adults and they spend most of their money on clothes. In tough times, more retailers would benefit from marketing to young people, who are more likely than adults to keep spending.

Readers, what do you think? Why is the plus-size clothing market dropping even faster than women's apparel overall? Please share your thoughts in the comments.

Mighty Michelle

Ivy-league educated. Healthy and in-shape. Style icon. In a loving relationship. Mother of two beautiful girls. On the cover of dozens of magazines one month and in Europe the next. This poised has-it-all-together woman? None other than Michelle Obama, First Lady of the United States of America.

Michelle Obama has impressed me from the very beginning. Politics aside, she’s the kind of person I’d like to have cupcakes and tea with. She just seems like a fun person. She’s the epitome of who I want to see in the White House – graceful, eloquent, and educated, but also realistic, funny, and down-to-earth. She seems equally capable of mingling with foreign dignitaries and joining my family for a barbeque. She also seems as comfortable talking about sociology as she does fashion.

Speaking of fashion, I am enamored with many of the First Lady’s choices. I didn’t grow up watching Jackie O, but I can imagine what it was like. While female pop stars are running around in ripped leggings with diamond-encrusted tops and “it” bags, Michelle is wearing (comparatively) reasonably priced items from White House Black Market and J. Crew.

Make no mistake, Michelle is no frivolous fashionista; there are brains to back up that beauty. A graduate of Princeton University and Harvard Law School, Michelle had several high-profile, intellectual jobs before campaigning for her husband. She’s smart and snappy and an asset to diplomatic relations. On her recent European tour, she seemed equally comfortable with Queen Elizabeth and French school children, and according to a CNN poll, eighty percent of Americans thought that the First Lady strengthened the U.S. image abroad.

All in all, I’ve never really been one to idolize celebrities, but I do respect the life-in-the-limelight that Michelle Obama is living. I love that she’s so classy and yet, so approachable. If I were ever inspired to write a letter to the White House, it’s likely that it would be addressed to Michelle Obama. She gives me hope that her husband’s administration will bring about the promised change, and will look good and sound smart doing it.

Here’s to change, and to Michelle Obama.