There are catalogs with large size models wearing large size clothing <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Making it Big is one of them, and Plus Size is another. I keep them handy so I can browse their pages.
I was mostly talking about the big three, Lane Bryant and Roamans and Jessica London.... And there was a time in years past when there just weren't any plus sized models in any catalogs. Its good to see the ones that are finally standing up to the establishment and speaking to their clientele.
When Roamans and Lane Bryants were two separate entities, the pre BryLane times, I began writing letters to the same effect, why no bigger models for the bigger clothes and always got the same 'market research' stuff.
I worked for Lane Bryant post-merge. The Lane Bryant clothing store is a different company from the Lane Bryant catalogs... Which answers why Lane Bryant the store seems to be bringing in more plus-sized models, but the catalog isn't keeping up with that trend.
On another note, alot of women in my area don't know squat about Size Acceptance. They continue to hide, or to go out poorly dressed in the size clothing they wish they could fit in and wind up looking sloppy or unkempt.
Even in this day and age, there's many many many women who don't know, and many men who still think their hidden preferences for a larger body are somehow a sick obsession.
I hope to find a way to open their eyes at least in my area, by starting a group to meet and discuss. I realize some ppl will come with major trepidations because of all the ostracization by the public at large, the medical professional and all, but here I am, listening and hopefully showing them what I did to get to the way I am now, ya know?
There is a big fear of fat. It's a prejudice that ppl think they can 'catch' sometimes. I could go on more about that aspect as well <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />
I founded two BBW groups here in my town. One is part of the BDSM group that I belong to, and another is a vanilla group that I organized for women outside of BDSM. Mostly, they serve as social groups, a launching pad for women of size to gather together and learn confidence in social situations... We've done slumber parties, fun parties, kitchen get togethers... And we go out once in a while, all gathering together to help each other with the getting ready part, and giving each other support to make that step out the door and into the public.
Its hard work to get a group started, and to get women interested... That fear is a hard thing to beat. But word of mouth will help your group thrive if you finally get some women to brave the fear and try accepting themselves as they are.