A glossy magazine using plus-size models went on sale worldwide on 26 Nov 2014 - at a time when the fashion industry seems to be embracing diversity.
Credit: independent.co.uk
SLiNK, the UK's first plus-size fashion magazine distributed across 15 countries, is hoping to tap into a growing demand for publications that, in the words of editor Rivkie Baum, realise “beauty and style doesn't stop at a size 8”.
“We believe that women are tired of seeing the same unobtainable image. Women today are much more savvy,” Baum says.
“As the plus-size retail sector continues to outgrow its straight size counterpart, the market is crying out for an inspirational plus-sized publication.”
Each edition will include shopping features, interviews, features, travel and beauty tips in efforts to “change the reputation of plus size fashion”.
Baum also addressed the questionable argument that a plus-sized magazine would promote unhealthy bodies as much as regular fashion publications.
Credit: independent.co.uk
“We are extremely conscious of our responsibility to promote a healthy body image both physically and mentally,” Baum told The Independent. “In our next issue, we are introducing a new healthy eating and fitness column to further back this. But what we are also aware of is that health doesn't come in one dress size and there are numerous factors that play a part in our wellbeing.
“While many magazines promote crash diets, which are extremely unhealthy, we believe that empowering women to feel confident and good about themselves at whatever size they are can have knock on effects on their overall health and lifestyle choices. It's about promoting health and happiness without suggesting it can only be achieved at one dress size.”
Credit: independent.co.uk
Also, unlike regular glossies, Slink has a "strong policy on body alteration". Baum said: "We never photoshop bodies smaller at all, we will do lighting corrections, light balance that kind of thing."
The “aspirational” publication started as an online only publication back in 2011, printing its first edition in 2012, which was only retailed via its website. It wasn’t until now that the bi-monthly publication hit the UK shelves, after proving that its plus-size editorials could “sit comfortably alongside their straight sized counterparts”.
Credit: independent.co.uk
The launch of Slink in the UK (and in other 14 countries) shelves joins American publications such as Plus Model, and the wave of plus size trends in social media and fashion industry. Model Candice Huffine, whose size UK 16, has been featured in numerous fashion campaigns and publications such as Vogue Italia and V Magazine. Also, she has just been unveiled as the first official plus-size model of Pirelli Calendar. But she told The Independent: “The idea of my size or weight has never come up in the casting process or even the thought process.”
Read more at independent.co.uk.