Crystal Renn lives in her truth!

She has lived in others’ truths and is now finally able to be
the Crystal Renn that she was intended to be!

Facing controversy from her newly slim, size 8 silhouette, she discusses how the media and how the plus size fashion industry has influenced our concept as to what a plus size fashion model should look like
–or–a plus size woman?

Isn’t Crystal’s video a-ma-zing!

I just had a few minutes to really reflect on what she says and she is right!

I am in the individual health fashion industry. I like that concept better! How about you?

Let me know what you think?

More as it happens. Jodell

As you may know, I am a big fan of plus size model Crystal Renn. I love that she takes chances, keeps us guessing as to what she will do next AND, I hope, will pave the way for more plus size models to enter the world of high fashion as representatives of real women with real bodies!

Well, good news!

Photo: Shot by Inez and Vinoodh from Jimmy Choo.com

Crystal is once again moving through the ranks of the main stream high fashion designers and is the new face of Jimmy Choo.  Starting with the Spring ’11 collection, Crystal puts her own touch of elegance and style in ad campaigns and on the runway for the Jimmy Choo brand.  Love those shoes!

Speaking of shoes…I have been shoe crazy lately.  By the way, did you do what I told you to in a previous post and sign up to win shoes every week for a year from Saks? Go now. Well, read this and then go!

Speaking of shoes…I have received a few emails asking we at Black Cat Plus carries shoes in wide widths and/or extended sizes.  Sorry, we do not carry shoes. But! I did a little bit of research and you can go to Zappos. (Finish reading) I have a wide foot and love Ros Hommerson. Ros Hommerson has the best shoes for wide feet! Stylish, comfortable and reasonable, you cannot go wrong with this line. Also check out Annie shoes, very very reasonable. My two fave! You can sign up when to receive email alerts when Zappos has new styles in your favorite brand. Very good day when you receive that email! But rush to order as they go fast! Free overnight shipping! Even better!  Also sign up to receive their Digest which has great info and resources. (One reader wrote that she goes to Vegas to buy shoes because a lot of the show girls have large feet and because of the demand, the stores there stock the larger sizes. Who knew?) In addition, other sources are Nordstrom Rack and Nine West.

More as it happens! Jodell

Last week, Designer, Mark Fast, the Canadian born knitwear designer sent plus size model Crystal Renn, a size 16, out on the London catwalk wearing two clingy, knit dresses from his Fall 2010 Collection.

This red dress

And this beige-colored dress

Photos: www.Imaxtree.com/Matteo Volta

His point? Women can look good in couture at any size.  Fast said, “Modeling should be about personality and variety.  It is about beautiful women.  Size should not come into the equation.”

Last season, Fast used models in his show in a range of sizes from 0 to 14.

What to think?  I don’t know.  I have to ponder a bit.

But, I am  liking it.

The story continues.

More as it happens.   Jodell

Oh, we love Crystal. She’s at it again!

You have to see this! Crystal Renn and 17 year old model, Jacquelyn Jablonski who has modeled for Calvin Klein jeans are pictured side-by-side in the next issue of V Magazine modeling outfits from Versace,          Ralph Lauren and Dolce and Gabanna.

Photographed by Terry Richardson for V Magazine, each model lends her own unique personality to the outfits.  We love this trend of using models of all shapes and sizes to represent all of us and not just the very thin or very young. Fashion, after all, does not stop at a size 4, it is for every woman who wants it.  Great work! More as it happens.

On a book kick this week!

Saw the lovely Crystal Renn on Good Morning America and I really enjoyed listening to what inspired her to write her book, Hungry, her story about modeling, eating and finally, the journey to body image acceptance.  I immediately ordered the book because what she had to say on GMA was so true and so relevant–cannot wait to get it in the mail!

Now, this is one woman who gets it: A true beauty inside and out!