Rachel Roy uses "Real" Women in Fall 2010 Campaign

In my opinion,  instead of being labeled as "plus size" it should be titled "real" size...or in an even perfect world, be labeled simply "models" or "fashion" without the addition of extra titles. After all, the average woman in America is a size 14. And even "straight size" women get upset seeing models size 00-2 constantly used in major campaigns. At the end of the day, it's all about FASHION. From size 00 to 44, why create different sectors when EVERYBODY wears clothes?  It causes many problems including eating disorders, anxiety, depression, etc.

...Which is why I give props to Rachel Roy for using "real" models in her new campaign!

Photo: RachelRoy.com

I love the idea behind her campaign. RR is holding a You Tube contest in which applicants had to answer the question: "If you could say one thing to the world, what would it be?" Some of my favorite answers from the lovely ladies above include:

Love your flaws...

Be happy, but unsatisfied.

live your life...

The world is a book

When you're eating an orange, know you're eating an orange.

She is choosing 5 winners that will be featured on the website and will a $150 giftcard. Check it out if you'd like to share a video with Rachel Roy!

If things work out as planned, I'll be attending Teen Vogue's Fashion University Conference next month in NYC where Rachel Roy will be hosting a seminar. Exciting! I love her ultra feminine and modern sense of style.

Plus Size + New York Fashion Week.... REALLY?!

Well sorta...and it's about damn time!
Though not officially apart of Mercedes Benz Fashion Week, One Stop Plus will be holding a fashion show event, hosted by model Melissa Aronson (better known as Emme) that will take place on September 16th at Lincoln Center in the midst of the shows by some of the biggest names in the industry.

Toccara Jones and Lizzie Miller are only some of the beautiful ladies we will see showcasing some of the e-tailers clothing. Get excited!

Photo: Getty Images

It's been great to see an increase in the industry being more accepting to the plus size sector. We've been seeing more plus size models on and within top magazines like Elle, Vogue and Glamour. Designers and retailers such as Saks Fifth Avenue, Forever 21 have also caught on to the recent trends and even Marc Jacobs has been in talks about expanding his line.

THANK YOU!

So if you voted for me within the past two weeks, you should've gotten an e-mail with the good news already but I wanted to tell you myself that I WON! I'm 1 of 6 winners that get to go to LA next month to be a part of some amazing events! I just want to personally THANK YOU all for supporting me as I know I was pretty much....annoying... to say the least. And though my photos and application were a part of the criteria, the votes were a large portion of what the internal judges relied on to choose the winners.

I won't be going on this trip until the end of October but when I do I'll make sure to keep you all posted!
  

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!

Picture from Torrid.com

This Just In!

Forever 21/Faith 21 is now selling wide-calf boots! If you've ever tried shopping for fashionable knee-high boots (which is definitely on my fall-must haves list!), I know sometimes it can be a pain for those with larger calfs. This is great for not only those who are plus size because I have a few straight sized friends who have the same issue. Another plus is that they range from size 7-12!

I think I'll wait for a few more options to choose from before I decide to make a purchase but Check them out!

From Yours Truly

Vote for me: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/torridhod25finalists2010


"Like" me: http://community.torrid.com/divaspirit/HOD25finalists.asp

Vote for me, I'm #3!

...and FYI that's #3 in the list not in rank. 

Two days ago, I got a call from Torrid saying that out of over 4,000 applicants I made top 25 to compete for a modeling opportunity with them. This is similar to the competition I was doing for Forever 21/Faith 21 however the rules are little bit different, in that you CAN vote multiple times in one sitting and I need all of YOUR help to get me in the top 6!

So yup, I'm at it again. Trying to pursue a dream of mine while expanding the definition of beauty worldwide.I hope that you all will support me by voting for me in Torrid's House of Dreams Model Search.

FYI: 

• Though it's still great, Facebook "like"-ing is not actually voting, so those won't count. You MUST vote and answer 3 short questions (the rest of them are optional) 

• you CAN vote more than once per day and everyday until September 7th! 

Here's the link to vote:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/torridhod25finalists2010

• -Once you're done voting, click "LIKE" on my picture :)

• -Spread the word through your FB statuses, blogs & Twitter updates!!!

xoxo,

Aryn

Beautiful Beauties on Brooklyn Bridge

Long overdue... but nevertheless, CONGRATULATIONS to Gabi! She is now the first ever MTV TJ. (Make sure to follow her...she's fab, trust me!) The night of the live finale, my whole entire Twitter timeline was full of #teamgabi members and showed lots of love!

Before the live finale, one of the challenges given to Gabi and her fellow contestants was to host an event in effort to see who would receive the most support. Gabi hosted a fashion show on the Brooklyn Bridge, which consisted of 10 models showcasing Torrid's clothing and then a section for her supporters to catwalk. It was a lot of fun!

One of the requirements was to come with a heart drawn on your hand. Below was some of the support that I spotted.

Fashion Show:

Mia Amber. Stunning.

Jeannie Ferguson. Remember her from BET's Rip the Runway? Fierce.

My new friend, Natalie. Gorgeous.

Michelle. Lucky winner of the mini competition held to win $100 Amex gift card!

Gabi & Me. The wind was blowing all over the place!

What I Wore:

Coral Shirt: H&M

Pants: Torrid

Cheetah Flats: Target

Jewelry: combo of Forever 21, NY wholesale shop & Grandma's room