Well, sort of. In a ‘one magazine at a time’ kind of way. But two fat positive articles in two mainstream Australian magazines in two consecutive months? That’s a major win for us. GO TEAM!
The July 2009 issue of Australia’s Shop ‘Til You Drop magazine (STYD) had an article titled ‘Size Matters’, which highlighted the never-ending battle that is plus-size shopping in Australia. It’s actually quite a good article, though I wonder whether STYD will be able to keep this up: the August issue listed only one plus-sized item in the entire magazine (a bandage dress by Flirt) and had two advertisements for plus-size brands available in Myer, one of Australia’s major department stores. Not a great effort for a 200 page magazine, but I suppose it is a start.
Here is the STYD article in full. Click the images for the high resolution version.
The August 2009 issue of the Australian Cleo magazine provided a general introduction to the fat acceptance movement. Kate Harding of Shapely Prose and our own Bri King of Fat Lot of Good were interviewed. It even got a mention in the editor’s letter!
Both STYD and Cleo are aimed at young women and both are owned by ACP Magazines. ACP has a huge presence in the media and publish a lot of our major magazines, so this is a big deal. These articles and the increasing visibility of fatshion in Australia signals that we are on our way.
Slowly but surely.
I am bloody excited.
EDIT: One day after I write this, and fat acceptance is being featured by Fairax Media on the Sydney Morning Herald website. Geeeez, we’re picking up momentum!
