Plus Size is Me: Own Your Body

 After seeing Toccara Jones on cycle 3 of America’s Next Top Model, Lala Tshabalala began to relate to the model’s confidence in her body and inherently started learning about the Plus Size industry. Later she began sharing random images of plus size models via her Facebook profile and that is when her and her sister Nkanyezi decided to start a Facebook page drawing in an initial following of 50 people within in a short space of time. It then clicked that all these random posts can indeed turn into something great a few months later they have over 10 000 Facebook followers, a clothing brand and a styling page.

We speak to Lala Tshabalala one half of the Plus Size is Me team who are bringing a significant change and restoring confidence into the beautiful world of curvaceous women.

        1.      What is Plus Size is Me and how long has it been in existence?

Plus Size is ME is currently a brand that promotes and positively sheds light on the plus size industry.  As an extension of our brand we have created a Facebook styling page called Style ME Plus Size. We created the Plus Size is Me page in March 2012.

      
        2.      How has its core values and views influenced you personally.

In order for us to have even conceived this page the both of us had to have already been on a path of body love and acceptance and we were. As the page grows and becomes more interactive, I’m constantly being inspired by our followers who, without even knowing, motivate me to love my body even harder. They’ve challenged me to step out of my comfort zone.

 3. What are the misconceptions about Plus Size is Me?

Some people think that Plus Size is ME is just about celebrating our curves as fuller figured women. That’s just part of it. We strive to inspire people to find a balance between psychological health (body love and acceptance) as well as physical health.  We want people to understand the importance of taking care of their body which means exercising and making wiser decisions when it comes to their eating habits.

4. Tell us about your first campaign and how successful it was?

Our first campaign was such a big deal for us. Nkanyezi came up with the genius idea to create a body love campaign and we ran with the idea.  The name of the campaign, “THIS IS ME”, kind of just fell on my lap because the message (which was learning to accept our bodies) was already there. It was amazing to see international models and bloggers take a liking to our campaign and support it. One of our favourite international models, Essie Golden, requested we send her a top and so we did.

5. What other avenues have you branched into within the plus size category?

As part of the campaign we created “THIS IS ME” tops that were worn by the models and I thought it would be absolutely perfect to make this the first item in my clothing line for plus size women, Cavalier Apparel. We have also created a styling page for plus size women on Facebook called Style ME Plus Size. The purpose of this page is to give plus size women an idea of how they should dress their curves, inspire them to become more stylish and let them know where they can find similar items.

      6.      Was Plus Size is Me  planned or organic?

 It was organic. When we started the page we never anticipated that it would grow so big, we uploaded things we were interested in and what we were learning. When we noticed the growth only then did we start planning things to keep the page relevant.

7. What are the milestone since the inception of your project/brand.

I would have to say the biggest milestones would have to be the “THIS IS ME” campaign, the creation of Cavalier Apparel and reaching 10 thousand followers!!


8.You are now becoming an entrepreneur, what are your goals for the next year?

 Next year I will be working harder on building Cavalier Apparel. Nkanyezi and I will continue to build our social media pages for Plus Size is ME, we will have another campaign and we want to host an event.

9. You promote good health and diet which may lead to a positive loss in weight. What happens when you as the founders no longer fall into the plus size community? Will you still be relevant? 

The plus size industry will always be relevant because there will always be fuller figured men and women. By encouraging healthier eating is not us promoting extreme dieting we are simply encouraging people to be more conscious about the food they eat. Many plus size models e.g. Tiffany Bank, GabiFresh, Anita Marshall all work out and are still plus size. Exercise is not only to lose weight but to also keep toned and fit. There are those plus size models who have lost weight but are still plus size but just a smaller size. 

It's no secret that Nkanyezi is not plus size but she is still very passionate about the plus size industry, what Plus Size is ME stands for and body love and acceptance just in general.

Enter the Plus Size Your Pose  competition here.

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Written By: Lethabo Ngakane
Twitter: @lambisking
            @kaffeinmagazine