by Reena Daruwalla, guest writer for Nancy Hayssen.com

There have, over the years been publications that cater to the full figured woman, such as Mode, Figure, Big is Beautiful (Netherlands), etc. These publications promote the idea big is sexy, big is beautiful.

Mode magazines’ first issue came out in spring of 1997 to great acclaim and immense popularity. And this was not some dowdy publication aimed at overweight people, but a sophisticated and stylish fashion magazine that emulated the likes of Vogue in terms of the fashion philosophy that it followed. This was a first of its kind publication that featured stylish but wearable clothes, for plus size women. This publication became a bench mark for plus size models.

And this magazine was more than just a fashion magazine, its tagline being Style Beyond Size. It was something that promoted the concept that You Can be Sexy at Any Size. Mode’s editors displayed the names of the models and their quotes about self esteem, which practice also contributed to the success of the magazine as also the models. In conjunction with the Wilhelmina modeling agency, Mode also conducted Model Hunt Competitions drawing entries from thousands of hopefuls from the US and Canada. The immensely popular magazine unfortunately shut shop sometime after 9/11, when its circulation was around 600,000.

Now Charming Shoppes’s bimonthly magazine, Figure is the only genuine plus size publication which features real women of sizes 14 and up now. The good thing about the magazine is that it now refrains from publishing diet adverts, so it isn’t all about how to lose weight. Figure is for women of all shapes and sizes. The magazine addresses their everyday concerns in the areas of fashion, beauty, health, fitness and relationships. Figure embraces real women and offers the tools they need to achieve their goals, find their passions, and love their lives.

One reader of Figure says “It’s a fact to say that most women will get more out of this magazine than Vogue, Allure, Elle or any other magazine featuring “traditional” models and “healthy living” information. Figure magazine is full of great articles, beautiful clothes, and positive spin. Best of all, there are no subversive messages included. This is not a magazine for “fat” women seeking to be thin. Figure is a magazine that celebrates the average woman for being as extraordinary as she always has been.”