Sunday 31 December 2017

Plus Size Fashion | Go Glam Or Go Home!

I love December! It is hands down my fave month of the year. Not just because it is my (and my mother, father and kid brother’s) birthday month but also because everything around is bright and sparkling. The cool air is full of life, people are in high spirits and everyone is in a merry-making mood ready to bid adieu to the year gone by and to say hello to the new one awaiting us.
While the year may be coming to an end, the party season has just begun.

Plus Size Fashion Blog India

Plus Size Fashion Blogger India
Nothing says holiday and festive glam quite like glitter and bling. As someone who loves both these things, any occasion is good enough for me to flaunt my treasured statement pieces and baubles.
While styling festive bling and party glam one needs to be mindful of not getting carried away and going over the top. If not careful, a look can go from tasteful to tacky in a heartbeat. 
Like most women around the world, my party season staple is a little black dress as well. Depending on the occasion, the LBD can either be glammed up or down. 

Plus Size Indian Fashion

Body Positivity In India
Taking a break from shifts and shirt dresses, I got myself a black skater dress from Amydus. I’ve always wanted to try out this silhouette and the festive season seemed like the perfect time to try it out. 
The dress is a quintessential LDB. It can easily be glammed up or kept simple and chic depending on the occasion. Since I wanted to wear the dress for a friend’s cocktail party I decided to style my look with gold accessories. The classic combination of gold and black with a hint of red colour pop can never go wrong. 

Curvy Fashion In India

Amydus - Indian Plus Size Fashion Brand
I am a huge maximalist who strongly believes in go big or go home. Not one to shy away from larger than life statement accessories, the LBD was the perfect companion to complement my bejewelled necklaces and embellished clutch. The simplicity of the dress balanced the dramatic accessories, creating a sophisticated and eye-catching look ideal for the party season.

Plus Size Party Look

Plus Size Fashion Blog India
Amydus Skater Dress  | Pavers England Pumps | Accessorize Clutch | | Crimson Silk Lakme 9 to 5 Weightless Matte Mousse Lip & Cheek Color Lipstick | L'Oreal Paris Superliner Waterproof Gel Eyeliner | Oriflame Eyeshadow | Smashbox Mascara 

As we say goodbye to 2017, here's wishing you all a splendid and wonderful Happy New Year. May 2018 be your year.

Photography by Shreyas Hegde

Till then, tra-la,

    Amena!!
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Monday 4 December 2017

Plus Size Fashion | Layer It Up


“Where do you buy your clothes from?” – This is one question that I get asked on a regular basis. Considering the lack of availability and easy accessibility of quality plus size fashion in India, this question doesn’t surprise me at all. However, what does surprise and bother me is how so many Indian brands still ignore the needs and demands of over 50% of the nation’s population.  

Plus Size Denim Shirt
Even though a large number of Indian brands still don’t have a size inclusive and body positive approach, there are a handful of brands that are making the effort to create stylish and affordable clothes for plus size women.  Along with making clothes, these brands are also helping build the confidence of many women who have struggled with body issues due to lack of clothes and mainstream representation.

Plus Size Denim Shirt
Personally, I’ve always struggled with finding clothes my size. However, this issue became even more obvious when I started fashion blogging. When a large part of your job depends on creating new looks, the lack of clothes can hamper your career. And to a large extent this has happened with me. It was only around late 2015- early 2016 that ready-to-wear plus size clothes were noticeably available.

Plus Size Fashion Blogger India
Unlike straight size women, we plus size women are not spoilt for choice. Therefore, it is very important to invest in clothes that are easy to mix-and-match and layer up. 
Amydus is one such brand that offers a wide variety of pieces that have great styling and layering potential. Plus, the brand has figured out Indian sizing and what works for Indian plus size women. From Indian wear to party wear and formal wear, there is something for every occasion.

Plus Size Fashion Blogger India
I love wearing dress, but I was never a fan of belted dresses. I really liked this check shirt dress and was not letting the belt stop me from buying it. When I got the dress, I was planning to style it without the belt. However, the dress did not have the same impact without the contrast accent. I purely wore the belt for the colour pop. What surprised me the most was how the belt helped accentuate my curves and give a better structure to the dress. The belt completely changed the look of the outfit.

Body Positivity In India
With winter season finally arriving in India, wearing layers without the fear of breaking into a sweat inspired me to layer the dress with a denim shirt. The denim shirt gave the look a beautiful colour contrast without dominating the dress. 
Both these pieces can be worn separately as well as can be used to layer. In fact, most pieces with front buttons can be used as a layer. That is why I prefer to invest in them.

Amydus - Indian Plus Size Fashion Brand
In a year full of trying out new styles and taking sartorial risk, this belted check shirt dress is another one to add to the grown list.
Plus Size Indian Fashion
Amydus Check Print Shirt Dress | Amydus Denim Shirt | Bata Shoes | Accessorize Bag | Necklace From Kashmir | Forever 21 Bracelet | Swarovski Red Slake | Pure Rouge  L'Oreal Paris Pure Reds Color Riche Collection Star Lipstick | L'Oreal Paris Superliner Waterproof Gel Eyeliner | MAC Eyeshadow | Smashbox Mascara 

Photography by Shreyas Hegde


Till then, tra-la,
    Amena!!
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Wednesday 29 November 2017

Plus Size Fashion | Stepping Out Of My Comfort Zone


Wedding season is here – and it is here in full swing. This year I decided to change things around. Instead of going with traditional silk and embroidered pieces, I wanted to create a few looks that are not heavily embellished but still have a rich and luxe look. Plus, unlike traditional Indian wedding wear that can’t be repeated frequently, I wanted to invest in something that would be multi-occasion friendly.

Plus Size Wedding & Festive Outfit
Plus Size Indian Fashion

2017 has been my year of stepping out of my style comfort zone and taking sartorial risks. One of the main reasons why I was able to do that is because of the growing plus size fashion industry in India. Brands are finally understanding the needs of plus size women and realising that we too deserve stylish and trendy clothes. I was able to make a drastic change to my wedding season wardrobe mainly because I was lucky to find on-trend and chic Indian wear pieces.

From pretty prints to stylised silhouttes, Amydus has wide variety of tunics. While looking for something that is is both classic and at the same time statement making, this front slit, overlap tunic in deep green shade caught my fancy. It was unlike any other tunic I had seen in a while. However, as much as I loved it, I was not sure if I was ready to wear something that draws attention to my belly.

Amydus - Indian Plus Size Fashion Brand
Plus Size Fashion Blogger India

As a classic apple shape, plus size woman, I have always been very conscious of my non-flat belly. While I’ve finally made peace with the way my belly looks, I still haven’t reached the point where I am comfortable showing it.

I decided to finally take the plunge and get myself the tunic. I won’t lie - until I got the tunic in my hand I was a tad bit apprehensive and nervous about my belly showing. However, once I wore the tunic, I realised that all the nervousness and doubt was in my head. There was nothing wrong with my visible belly.
Like some women are fair skinned and other are dusky, some are tall while others are short, similarly, some women have a flat belly while others, like me, have non-flat, round belly. And that is just fine. Women come in all shapes and sizes, and so do our bellies. We should not be ashamed or asked to hide our bellies just because they are not flat or washboard abs.

Body Positivity In India
Plus Size Tunics and Kurtas

The Amydus tunic turned out to be a very wise and body positive investment for me. Not only did I get a new style and silhouette to add to my wardrobe but I was finally able to let go of my inhibition and get comfortable with my non-flat, round belly showing.

 Body Positivity In India
Plus Size Tunics and Kurtas
Amydus Tunic | Utsa By Westside Skirt | Inc5 Wedges | Necklace & hand Harness From Bandra | Pure Brick  L'Oreal Paris Pure Reds Color Riche Collection Star Lipstick | L'Oreal Paris Superliner Waterproof Gel Eyeliner | Smashbox Eyeshadow | Maybelline Volum Express Colossal Waterproof Mascara 


Photography by Shreyas Hegde


Till then, tra-la,
    Amena!!
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Monday 27 November 2017

Himalaya Youth Eternity Range


I’ve to be honest – I’ve never been one of those who invested too much time and energy in my skin care routine. Partly because I have oily combination skin, and partly because I’ve never found any products that really made much difference to my skin. However, since I turned 30 I’ve been more careful with my skin care. While I haven’t made it a habit to buy every new product that hits the market, increasingly, I’ve made an effort to try out products that may work for my skin type.

No stranger to Himalaya products - I swear by their anti-dandruff shampoo – I was quite keen on trying out their new Youth Eternity Range. When it comes to quality and price point, Himalaya has been consistent. Staying true to its core philosophy, Himalaya has always been nature-derived, finding the best of nature and creating products that are natural and pocket friendly.

Himalaya Youth Eternity Range
Himalaya's newly launched Youth Eternity range has been specially formulated using stem cells from the Edelweiss Plant. The stem cells are combined with herbal active extracts of flowers like Rose Myrtle, Fire Flame Bush, Woodfordia and Cipadessia Baccifera, to hydrate and regenerate your skin. The range consists of day cream, night cream and under eye cream.
Himalaya Youth Eternity Range
I’ve been using all three products for over 2 weeks now and I’ve gotten positive results. As someone with very oily and combination skin, I found the creams, especially the night cream to be very effective.

Himalaya Youth Eternity Day Cream
Himalaya Youth Eternity Range
The Himalaya Youth Eternity Day Cream has a light and non-greasy texture. It gets absorbed easily into the skin without leaving an oily residue. For my oily combination skin type, the day cream provides me with adequate hydration without making my skin look shiny. 
Himalaya Youth Eternity Day Cream comes with SPF 15 and is priced at  ₹499 for 50ml (Also available in 10ml & 20ml size).

Himalaya Youth Eternity Night Cream
Himalaya Youth Eternity Range
Compared to the day cream, Himalaya Youth Eternity Night Cream is richer, offering more nourishment. Like the day cream the night cream too has a non-greasy texture. The night cream works overnight to provide intense hydration, reduce fine lines and wrinkles, leaving your skin even-toned and healthy. 
Himalaya Youth Eternity Night Cream is priced at ₹499 for 50ml.

Himalaya Youth Eternity Under Eye Cream
Himalaya Youth Eternity Range
Unlike most eye creams that are rich and heavy, Himalaya Youth Eternity Under Eye Cream has a very light texture. It is almost like a gel-cream that is rich in anti-inflammatory properties that nourishes and hydrates the tender skin around the eyes, helps reduce dark circles and fine lines. After using the under cream for over 2 weeks I’ve noticed my under eye region looks more bright and healthy.
Himalaya Youth Eternity Under Eye Cream is priced at ₹525 for 15ml.
Himalaya Youth Eternity Range
What I liked the most about Himalaya Youth Eternity Range is, that all the products are packaged in a travel friendly manner and all of them have anti-inflammatory properties. All three products in this range have stem cells from the Edelweiss plant and extracts from exotic plants and herbs. Plus, all the creams have a rich texture but neither of them leave an oily or sticky residue. The best part about this range is, the products are free from parabens and phthalates.
Himalaya Youth Eternity Range
If you are looking to start an anti-aging skincare regime, The Himalaya Youth Eternity Range is a good one to start with. These products can easily be used by women in their 20s, 30s and 40s. 
Ideal for all Indian skin types and Indian weather, The Himalaya Youth Eternity Range is for every woman who is aims to have healthy and glowing skin.
Photography by Shreyas Hegde

Till then, tra-la,
    Amena!!
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Monday 25 September 2017

Debunking Plus Size Myths With Afamado


Plus size women are everywhere. We’re teachers and writers, designers and scientists, lawyers and moms. And yes, contrary to popular belief that plus size women cannot be fashionable and stylish, some of us are fashion bloggers.
Debunking Plus Size Myths
Existing as a plus size woman in society that is hell-bent on ignoring you and making you invisible is nothing less than an act of rebellion itself. But it doesn’t stop here. On a daily basis we are bombarded with overwhelming misconceptions and myths about our bodies and lifestyle. From internet doctors giving us lectures about our health to garden-variety fatphobes telling us what we should and should not wear. 
Everyday some new plus size myth crops up that adds to the growing fatphobia in our society. If we really want to end size based discrimination and prejudices against plus size bodies, it is important to debunk and bust the most common plus size myths.
Dresses For Plus Size Women
Plus Size Is A Temporary Size 
Since a young age women have been conditioned to aspire to look a certain way. And their body size is an integral part of it. Women have been made to believe that for them to be considered beautiful and desirable they have to be thin. Anything other than thin is unacceptable. Because we are so condition to seeing thin as an aspiration and the biggest achievement, many people, including fashion industry insiders, believe that plus size is a temporary size and all plus size women want to lose weight and be thin and no woman really wants to be plus size for life.
It is an age old myth that all plus size women see themselves as a body in transition. That they see their current plus size as temporary that will eventual change. Not only is this thinking problematic but also very harmful. 

Here’s a fact: While many plus size women are unhappy with their bodies and do everything in their power to change it, many of us are very happy in our plus size bodies. Not all of us are aspiring and striving for a single-digit size. Some of us are happy with our double-digit size and plus size bodies. For us, plus size is a permanent size.
Indian Plus Size Brand Afamado
Plus Size Women Don’t Shop Plus Size 
I work in the fashion industry. And not since the past few years when I started blogging, but for a good 8+ years - since I started my career as a fashion designer. From my days as a fashion student to now, I have been told and made to believe that plus size women don’t like to shop and dress up. Back then, the plus size market in India was non-existent. But now, with the plus size market booming globally, many people in India still hold on to these antiquated views. 
The biggest accusation against plus size women is, they don’t spend money on plus size clothes. The truth is, first, plus size clothes are not easily available in India, and second, the few that are available are frumpy, shapeless and downright boring. No woman in her right mind would spend money on those clothes, and yet, so many of us do, not out of choice but out of necessity. 
The sad reality is; the fashion industry takes plus size consumer for granted. Instead of offering her with well-designed, quality fashion, like they do for straight size, they create tasteless clothes that are neither stylish nor interesting.
Plus size women love to dress up and are just as willing to spend like straight size women. We too deserve quality fashion that makes up look and feel good. Time the fashion industry took note of that.
Busting Plus Size Myths
Plus Size Women Are Glorifying Obesity
One of the biggest allegation against plus size people and the body positive and fat acceptance movement is that it glorifies obesity. Ever since the movement has gone mainstream and plus size women have gotten more visible and vocal, the allegation has grown too. 
Anytime a plus size/ fat woman decides to unabashedly celebrate herself and her fat body by promoting self-love and self-acceptance, she is blatantly fat shamed and often accused of glorifying obesity. 
This is hands down the biggest myth about plus size people and the body positive and fat acceptance movement as well.
Plus Size Fashion Blog India
The term “glorifying obesity” is nothing but a dog whistle used against plus size and fat people with the aim to silence them. We all know health is subjective and one cannot just look at someone and decide if that person is healthy or not, fit or not. But that doesn’t stop people from fat shaming plus size and fat people in the name of health and fitness. 
If promoting self-love and self- acceptance at any size is considered as glorifying obesity, then yes, plus size people are glorifying obesity. 
Corissa Enneking of Fat Girl Flow perfectly sums up what glorying obesity really mean: “I am glorifying obesity. I am glorifying this body that does not, and has never, got enough praise for its existence. I am glorifying the rebellion I live each day while loving this body. I am glorifying the pounds I gained after years of starving myself. I am glorifying every moment I am alive in this body that others would discard as worthless. And I am extremely proud of myself. So I celebrate that by sharing my life and my experiences with other people. Amazing people.”
Body Positive India
When I started blogging in October 2011, plus size fashion and plus size fashion blogging, both were considered as niche. Very often the only plus size blogger to be present at an event, I would feel like the odd woman out. On multiple occasions I would not have anything good to wear to these events and I would end up not attending them because of it.
Plus Size Fashion Blogger India
Afamado Dress | Kate Spade Bag | Pavers England Shoes | Lakme Absolute Luxe Matte Lip Color With Argan Oil  Lipstick Crimson Town | Makeup Courtesy Lakmé at Lakmé Fashion Week

Now, when I see the plus size fashion industry in India make its presence felt it gives me great hope. Up and coming size-inclusive brands Afamado is one such brand. With the aim of promoting body positivity and size-diversity, the brand is offering plus size and fat women what they have been deprived for a long, long, time – stylish and quality fashion. The clothes are beautifully designed and well-fitted (they offer customisation as well), Afamado is the go to brand for trendy plus size clothes, especially dresses and gowns. 
The best part is, they are not just breaking plus size myth, they are busting plus size fashion myth too. They are offering plus size and fat women a plethora of choices that is colourful, sexy and so very chic. Their clothes don’t look like shapeless garbage bag or printed tent. None of that here. Afamado’s clothes are structured, on-trend and aspirational. Their clothes aren’t made to hide your body. Their clothes are made to flaunt your curves, give you confidence and make you feel like a million bucks.


Photography by Shreyas Hegde

Till then, tra-la,
    Amena!!
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Monday 11 September 2017

Plus Size Fashion | Minimalist Style, Maximum Impact With Amydus

As someone who loves vibrant colours, bling, statement prints, and embellished tops, “basics” and “boring” have always been synonymous and interchangeable in my mind. I mean, why would you wear a plain shift dress when you could wear a layered, colour block ensemble? But since I started fashion blogging, my personal style has evolved extensively and I’ve stopped looking at every basic thing as boring.
Minimalist Style, Maximum Impact With Amydus
After spending years wearing only track pants and T-shirt or tunic and leggings and being deprived of quality, fun fashion, I was not ready to go back to wearing anything basic, minimalistic or in neutrals. However, since last year I have been reinventing my wardrobe and investing in minimalistic pieces that can be mix, matched and layered. Pieces that look good on their own as well as pair up easily with other pieces and accessories.
Plus Size Fashion Blogger India
The first time I visited Amydus website this olive green princess seam shift dress caught my fancy. Chic and stylish, the dress is the epitome of minimalistic style and maximum styling potential. Before I started fashion blogging I hadn’t worn a dress in years and certainly not a simple button-front shift dress. I would not even give a second glance to anything that was not in a pop colour or vivacious print, and certainly not something in a solid neutral shade. Basically, anything that was not statement making was off the table. And yet, the sheer simplicity of the dress is why I instantly fell in love with it.
Minimalist Style, Maximum Impact With Amydus
For this look, I wanted the focus to be on the dress itself. Instead of layering it, I decided to pair the dress with contrasting colour pop accessories, statement silver necklace and an oversized tote. The overall look is a fine balance of simple and statement.
Amydus - Indian Plus Size Fashion Brand
Granted, plus size fashion options in India are painfully limited but Amydus is one of the few size inclusive and diverse plus size brands that is trying to bring about a change and offering affordable and fashionable clothes for plus size and fat women like me. And unlike other plus size brands in India their sizes don’t end at size 22. Amydus sizes go up to UK 26 and 7XL, offering a wide range of size and style.
Amydus - Indian Plus Size Fashion Brand
One of the main reasons why I am extremely impressed with Amydus’s collection is because most of the pieces are well-designed, minimalistic with a girl-on-the-go vibe that, when combined with bolder accessories, is pretty perfect for the modern Indian woman. They’re the kind of outfits that can easily be glammed up or can be kept casual and simple depending on the occasion.
Plus Size Fashion Blogger India
As a plus size woman I’ve grown up being told and believing I need to hide my body and not bring any attention to it. And because of that I kept away from anything that would make my fat body visible or attract attention. 
After years of forced minimalism –  first, due to the fear of wearing something that would make me look “more fat” and then due to lack of stylish and quality plus size fashion in India – I had decided that I would never ever wear anything that is simple, basic or in neutrals colours. Anything that so much as looked minimalistic was a big no-no. 
Plus Size Fashion Blog India
For me, wearing “simpler” ensembles has always been a bit of a challenge. As a plus size woman and fashion blogger, I feel like my outfits and my looks have to be “interesting” in order for me to considered stylish enough and have an impact in the fashion blogging community.
Amydus - Indian Plus Size Fashion Brand
For years, I had conditioned myself to believe that basic and minimalistic outfits were not for me and for me to stand out I need to either layer or glam up my looks. But the truth is that I don't always want to dress in the bold pieces or layered looks, I really don't. My real life isn't always colourful tunics and jackets and statement accessories. 
Minimalist Plus Size Look
Amydus Dress | Accessorize Bag | Converse Sneakers | Swarovski Bracelet | MAC Ruby Woo Lipstick | L'Oreal Paris Superliner Waterproof Gel Eyeliner | Maybelline Volum Express Colossal Waterproof Mascara
I've finally learnt that minimalism and simple ensemble can be as much fun and interesting as statement or layered ones. That simple does’t always translate to boring and one doesn’t need glam up at all time to look stylish. 
Sometimes it's all about a chic and simple dress. And I'm loving this one and the confidence it gives me.

Photography by Shreyas Hegde


Till then, tra-la,
    Amena!!
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Wednesday 7 June 2017

I Am Done Apologising For The Way I Look


When you spend more than half your life living in a fat body, you systematically get conditioned to seeing yourself the way the world views you. As much as you want to, there comes a time where you cannot discrete yourself from the grander cultural narrative that is associated with plus size and fatness. 
Especially, the way Indian fashion industry perceives it.
Plus Size Fashion Blog India
While the world has started to get vocal about body positivity and fat acceptance, India is still sitting on the side-lines, occasionally celebrating the ‘curvy’ or ‘chubby’ or ‘full-figured’ woman.

A country that has more than 50% of its population as plus size and fat, it is extremely important to have regular dialogue about body diversity, body positivity, and fat acceptance. The need of the hour is to break all age old plus size and fat stereotypes and prejudices and educate people rather than body and fat shame them. We cannot have yet another generation going to war with their own bodies and trying to conform in a world that worships being thin.
I Am Done Apologising For The Way I Look
I Am Fat and I Am OK With It!
For a little over two decades, I have tried every trick in the book to not be me. Not that there was anything wrong with me per se. The problem was with me being a fat girl in a fat hating world.
You see, when I was growing up, there was no bigger insult that being called fatThere was always that occasional fat joke thrown my way. Or random remark made about my size and weight. There were times people would stop seeing me as Amena, a human being, and see me as an object that needs to be mocked solely because of her shape and size. If they had nothing to tell me they would just throw a fat slur my way that would cut me off at the knees and I would go from being feisty to fragile. 
Anyone who has been on the opposite side of conventional thin has experienced fat shaming in some way or another. They can tell you instances of being bullied, called teasing names, put in a corner and made to feel like an outsider.
There comes a point when the voices outside your body get so loud that you eventually start believing them. I let those voices control me for far too long until it was a matter of sink or swim. I chose to swim the tide of fat shaming and make it to the other side. I am glad I did it. Once you let go of self shaming, you start seeing life from an all new perspective.

Over the years, ‘fat’ has lost its negative connotation for me. Now, it is just another word, an adjective, that describes me. I see fat and thin purely as descriptors. They are not an abomination or an aspiration. I don’t get offended when some calls me fat. Nor do I get happy when someone says, “Have you lost weight? You’re looking thin”. I am done with all kinds of body shaming.
Yes, Plus Size Fashion Blogger Is A Real Thing 
Back in 2012, during my rookie days as a fashion blogger, someone politely asked, “Are you a fashion blogger? You don’t look like a fashion blogger!”
The blatant assumption that all fashion bloggers, like models, are the same size - aka thin - is a biased generalisation. Blogging started as a way to express yourself. It gave women and men of all shapes, sizes, colour, sexuality and race a space to share their personal style and views. The bedrock of fashion blogging is diversity and to exclude plus size and fat bodies from it is unfair.
For every fashion magazine that reinstates that style comes in only one size, blogging offers an alternative narrative instead.
After years of believing that nothing will flatter my fat body expect tunic top and leggings, I was finally free to make sartorial choices as I pleased. Blogging empowered me to wear what every fashion magazine for years had denied.
Plus Size Fashion Blog India
Can I Have Some Clothes, Please?
When I decided to make the switch from fashion designing to fashion blogging I knew it would be different and difficult. I was not ready for discriminatory.
During my initial blogging days, I used to love attending collection previews. Not only did you get to see the new collection before everyone else, you also get to try it. I was overjoyed with this idea.
Soon my enthusiasm would turn into an uncomfortable moment for me and the brand as there was never anything that would fit Amena. “Sorry, we just don’t keep anything in your size. Would you like someone else from your team to wear this instead?” 
Earlier, I would say it’s all good and agree to just pose with the clothes rather than wear them. Now it’s a firm no. If I don’t get my size, then I don’t care to be a part of it. 
On many occasions I have asked brands why do they not get a tad bit plus size inclusive; there are people over size 14-16 in India. Most of then were polite and would say, yes, good suggestion, and move on, however, one brand manager was honest with me and said, “No offence, but we don’t want fat people to be seen in our clothes. That would not go well with our core audience.”
This was a major wakeup call. I have been indirectly promoting those brands that choose to look at me and women like me as less than equal, unworthy of their clothes. To think that plus size and fat women wearing their clothes brings down its brand value is not only discriminatory but also incredibly offensive. 
Ever since then, I have stopped associating with that brand. On principle I can not promote something that does not believe in diversity.
One can look at their choice as a preference and not a prejudice. But imagine if they said the same thing for race or sexual orientation. That their clothes are only for white people or straight people. Would we still look at it as a preference? 
As a blogger, I have the freedom to pick and choose who I want to work with. And I choose not to work with brands that are fatphobic and not democratic about size.
I Am Done Apologising For The Way I Look
In the last year, Indian fashion industry has made some efforts towards size inclusiveness. However, It’s high time Indian fashion industry finally embraces body diversity and becomes body positive. 

I long for a time where it will be normal — and not ground-breaking — for brands, fashion weeks, and magazines to feature plus size/fat women and men. The effort for equal and fair representation of plus size and fat bodies is a must. The only way we can end body and fat shaming is by normalising all bodies instead of glorifying a specific type.
Plus Size Fashion Blogger India
It has taken me a few years to undo years of body and fat shaming. To be able to look in the mirror and be okay with what I see. The journey has been tough, but the end result has been the best thing that has happened to me.
I am done apologising for the way I look. I am perfectly happy being a fat woman and a plus size fashion blogger. I am proud of all that I have achieved with the limited available options. I have made peace with who I am. About time everyone else does the same too.
Body Positivity and Fat Acceptance

Calae Top | Calae Check Dress (Styled As Jacket) | Marks & Spencer Jeans | Ted Baker Bag | Van Heusen Wedges | Accessorize Necklace and Rings | Swarovski Bracelet | Kate Spade Watch | MAC Diva Matte Lipstick | L'Oreal Paris Superliner Waterproof Gel Eyeliner | Maybelline Volum Express Colossal Waterproof Mascara

Photography by Shreyas Hegde

Till then, tra-la,
    Amena!!
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