On Sunday, a woman who has an office in the same complex as my studio knocked on my door. She wanted to know if I did “regular sizes” as well.
I told her: “No, I specialize in plus size.”
“But why…?”
“Because it’s an untapped market that has a lot of opportunity.”
“…So you don’t do ‘regular sizes?’ You’re not going to do any regular sizes?” (Looks baffled)
“No, I am only doing plus size, size 12 and up. There are a lot of brands and shops that already exist for ‘regular sizes.’ I am able to bring a product to people that are plus size, I model my clothes, and I am creating a store for a certain market.”
Silence.
Some people just don’t get it. Maybe it’s because they have never been fat enough to be out of the “regular size” range. Maybe they don’t understand business or retailing. Maybe they don’t understand people in general. I don’t think what I am doing, by offering plus size vintage and modern vintage in my store, is necessarily mind blowing-ly progressive or forward thinking. Or at least it shouldn’t be.
So, why plus size? Why NOT?! Why not bring to other women of the larger stature, the clothing that I always envisioned for myself? Why only cater to a person with a certain waist line? Why not make all women feel good about themselves and be able to make a career for myself at the same time.
Everyone has a passion and everyone deserves to look and feel good. I am able to do both and be both. How many people are lucky enough to say that they have that as part of their career? Not too many, and I can count myself as one of the lucky few…
Thank you plus size. You have led me to follow my dreams and be a part of a fat girl revolution, all at the same time.
#FAT
