When Renaissance artist Sandro Botticelli painted his Birth of Venus between 1485 and 1486, he most likely would never have figured that Venus, with her tummy pouch and sensual, curvy, and milky soft skin, would be considered a plus size in today’s thin-obsessed world. However, if Venus was into today's latest trends, she might not even be able to find her size in fashion retail stores.

It’s taken more than 520 years, but the Italian Renaissance for modern curvy women has been launched. Well, at least in Italy it has. Vogue Italia is rediscovering curvy women and dedicating a section of its online site to full-figured ladies, calling it Vogue Curvy.Continue reading...

Is it just me, or are thighs suddenly in?

In the March issue of Elle Magazine, shoe retailer Nine West displayed a model sprawled in the ocean and the first thing I noticed, before even her shoes, were her thighs. A few pages over, Tommy Hilfiger’s model had some meat on her bones, and distinctive thighs. Hugo Boss featured a model holding a handbag – and she had some girth to her as well.

Rest assured, rib cages and concaved chests have not disappeared from the latest fashion ad campaigns. But today many fashion brands are willing to cast a model that has a more relatable – meaning bigger – body type to potential customers. And some models are even choosing to take their health over the opportunity to walk in a high profile fashion show or fit into sample sizes used in ad campaigns.Continue reading...

Belting out empowering words has always been Mary J. Blige’s forte, and this time her latest ballad is being co-branded with a line of T-shirts fashioned by her long time friend, Catherine Malandrino.

Together the powerhouses are launching their first T-shirt collection, which brings together Blige’s foundation called FFAWN (Foundation for the Achievement of Women Now), and features inspirational messages hand-painted across the tunics that, for example, proclaim, “I’m Power,” “I’m Free,” “I’m Love,” and “I’m Life.”Continue reading...

Never heard of a raccoon dog? Well, you may be sitting near one on your next visit to the theater or your favorite posh restaurant. Apparently, some major retail brands used raccoon dog fur in their products and then mislabeled them. Yes, that fake fur just might be real.

The Humane Society has brought a lawsuit against retail stores such as Saks, Lord & Taylor, Macy’s, and Neiman Marcus, who wrongfully labeled raccoon dog fur as faux fur or imitation fur on retail items, trimmings, and jackets. A raccoon dog is a part of the canid species, which belongs to the family that includes foxes, wolves, and dogs. The Humane Society is outraged and has filed a lawsuit against the retail brands.Continue reading...

In the famous windows of Bloomingdale’s Lexington Avenue flagship store, a new, recession-appropriate theme is on display: "Staying in, is the new going out."

The Big Window Challenge brings together Bloomingdale’s, Elle Décor, and Apartment Therapy. Each brand sponsors a window display that showcases a room featuring its own signature look, personality, and lifestyle.

Eddie Ross, for Elle Décor, presented "The Modern Woman" with a room that brings together vintage and modern colors, patterns, and details. The aura of happiness, confidence, and adventure sits among hot pink candlesticks, an orange art deco painting, and twin turquoise blue lamps. However festive the room appears, it is best not to make a quick move around the bookcase full of fine china.Continue reading...

Come on, it’s time to do the limbo on the Royal Caribbean cruise ship that recently docked in Haiti.

Not even a horrific earthquake that killed over 200,000 Haitians, will stop the party on the other side of Haiti, or stop a Royal Caribbean cruise ship from docking. On the other side of Haiti, about 80 miles from Port au Prince, at the Labadie Beach Resort, the sunscreen was on and the fish were flying.

From the view on the top deck there was nothing to fear at all. In comfortable beach chairs while digesting a recently enjoyed buffet meal and cocktail, passengers sat in awe over the beautiful Haitian landscape; the rolling hills, the aqua crystal blue sea and the creamy white sand. Some were even preparing to go Jet Skiing.Continue reading...