Regular readers know that I’m not much of a Fatshionista, though I’m happy to fight for other fatties to be able to get their fashion on. But I saw the story of Egypt “Ify” Ufele and I couldn’t not write about it.
Ify is the creator of chubiiline, a plus size fashion line that is “bringing Africa to America one design at a time.” Let me let Ify tell you about it:
Vision
Sparking conversations and inspiring the imagination, with a vision that cannot be taught, and must be personally experienced
Experience
Harnessing creativity and perfecting the craft with practical experience.
Philosophy
Ever-advancing my skills and perspective, I’m only as good as my last design.
Uniqueness
Seeing what other designers won’t, capturing what others can’t.
About
I am a 10 year old designer taking the fashion industry by storm. I consider myself nothing less than a chronicler of the human condition, for better or worse. When you see my designs, I think you’ll agree.
Damn right I agree! And not just because at 10 years old she has a fashion line and I spent the entire day in pajamas (it’s my one day off this week from from IRONMAN training, don’t judge.) The inspiration for her fashion line came from bullying she dealt with in school because of her size, including a student who stabbed her with a pencil. (This is the world that diet culture and the “war on childhood obesity” has wrought. Please resist the urge to act like her success is somehow the “silver lining’ to the bully cloud – there is not a silver lining to bullying, her fashion line should have been able to develop with tons of support and without having to overcome bullying and sizeism.)
But regardless, Ify got it done, rocking the red carpet at fashion week with her beautiful designs. (Images from Instagram, follow her at @bullychasers)
The Body Love Obstacle Course
The second preview video for the Body Love Obstacle Course is now available – we talk about strategies to deal with negative body messages from the media, and for dealing with people who body shame you “for your own good,” and more! You can check it out here!
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Book and Dance Class Sale! I’m on a journey to complete an IRONMAN triathlon, and I’m having a sale on all my books, DVDs, and digital downloads to help pay for it. You get books and dance classes, I get spandex clothes and bike parts. Everybody wins! If you want, you can check it out here!
Book Me! I’d love to speak to your organization. You can get more information here or just e-mail me at ragen at danceswithfat dot org!
