Beauty definitely has a name, its Emme. The 5-foot-11, twice named People Magazine’s “50 Most Beautiful People,” is the world’s first plus-size model. Emme is a mother, television personality, author, lecturer, creative director for clothing lines, and a globally recognized women’s advocate with a 20-year tenure. When she is not changing societies view one body image at a time, she is joining forces with major companies and hosting events like the one she held this past Saturday, Oct. 25th. Emme partnered with Macy’s to tour the country and host their Fall Fashion Show that catered to full-figured women.
Full-figured models (Ages 18-40) walked the runway as Emme discussed the latest fall trends being shown. Cardigans, motor jackets, loose pants, and booties were some of this year’s most fashionable fall pieces. The blonde bombshell also gave body image tips (well, of course) on how to look the best in your clothing starting with the proper bra. After the fashion show and the Q&A with the audience, the down to earth supermodel kicked off her shoes and went shopping with customers; educating them on how best to dress their curves.
In a 1-on-1 interview with me, Emme discussed what it actually means to be plus size, the fashion industry, why she chose to partner with Macy’s, and more. Check it out!
What Is Plus-Size?
The plus-size community was in an uproar when Ralph Lauren debuted there first plus size model Robyn Lawley (size 10). RL kick-started the debate with one of 2013s most popular fashion world questions: ‘What is plus-size?’ “Classically, plus-size is women who are 14x-24 or larger; however, a plus-size model is 12-16 misses with a height of 5’9-5’11 & Up,” said Emme. She agreed that it could be confusing and said the best way to remember is its print vs. runway. “Runway will have larger women usually,” said Emme.
Fashion Industry
The fashion industry is starting to cater to the full-figured woman more. H&M, Forever 21, Vogue, Ralph Lauren, Michael Kors, the list could go on with brands who are just now “getting it.” “I think its a very important change, when you aren’t including 68 million women, money is being lost. So they [Vince Camuto, Jessica Simpson, Michael Kors, Calvin Klein, etc.] understand and see that there is a really a big opportunity to go into this market and not just make one plus size fits all. They are being more body conscious and diverse in their delivery and because of this they are receiving a good response,” said Emme.
While hosting the fashion show, many of the brands she named graced the runway. She encouraged a Q&A session with the audience. During the session, it was asked should the term plus size be done away with. Emme responded, “We have a long way to go, clothes for curvy full-figured women is a great start…small steps.”
“As a woman you get frustrated when you don’t see an array, that bouquet of beauty,” commented Emme on breaking barriers to pave the way for plus size models.
Partnering with Macy’s
Emme expressed how Macy’s wanted to invigorate their full-figured department. “Its really awesome to partner with a department store that takes their customer seriously. Their offerings are wonderful for the full-figured customer,” said Emme.
Future EmmeNation
When she is not on TV, working with advocacy groups to filter what is written about women, being a two-time cancer survivor, discussing body image, or blogging about sustainability, she is working with her alma mater on a very important initiative. She exclusively revealed that on November 20th in connection with Syracuse University Fashion Design School she will be working with designers to create a first of its kind program. “We will introduce #SUFWL to have designers worth with full-figured forms…this way designers will have had hands on training with full-figured forms before they graduate,” an elated Emme said with pride. “Additionally, as an alumni, I will be offering an Emme Fashion award.”
If that ingenious idea isn’t enough, be out on the look out for EmmeCruise. Emme will cruise to Bermuda May 17th-24th 2015. Join her as she enlightens your body mind and spirit.
For more information, visit Emmenation.com or Macys.com.
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I think it is sad – people need to accept themselves but they should not accept being overweight, ever. To ‘normalize’ the obesity is saying to those people that is it okay to be the way they are – this is not accurate. This is downright wrong and it is not helping them, or society. Normalizing a waist greater than 36inches is actually hurting people, and society. We all need to accept ourselves, to a point. We all have character flaws we should work on improving, so accepting yourself even if you’re skinny is not the end – accept yourself but always work on improving yourself since no one is perfect. Maybe you’re skinny but you interrupt people or you are skinny but eat too much sugar, or you’re skinny and just need to improve your manners – whatever it is. Though accepting that you’re obese is like accepting that you have a bacterial infection….accepting it will kill you if you don’t work to fix it. Yes, being obese needs to be fixed…it is an actual medical condition. If you have a sinus infection or a tumor you try to fix that. Normalizing obesity is a terrible thing.
While I respect your opinion, you are totally missing the point. There are many skinny people like you mentioned how are unhealthy but the world tells them that they are beautiful and that they are the standard for beauty when that is a fallacious statement. Do you think we are helping the models that starve themselves by telling people the less you weight the more beautiful you are? I think not. Emme is a renowned super model, you need to google her. She is helping plus size women on the road to losing weight or not (as it is their prerogative) know that they are beautiful. Your size don’t make you beautiful your soul does. Women are killing themselves to look like bones. Your thinking is whats wrong with society. We are saying love yourself as you are. Yes work on yourself but love yourself as you are. Life is short. I hope you find some happiness in your life.