I used to think I was a 34 DD.

How?- I really don’t know.

Once I started working at Curvy Kate I immediately discovered that my large boobs were in fact a whopping 30H (Thanks Bra Whisperer)!

I couldn’t believe it.

I mean I definitely had over spill, backache and my boobs bounced vigorously every time I walked up a flight of stairs. Somehow I tried to convince myself that my boobs ‘weren’t that big’ and on I went squashing them into a bra that was 4 sizes too small. I had quite a modest selection of underwear and never really focused on the well-being of my breasts or even knew that that was something I should be focused on. The worst part however, was not really realising that they had an implication on the rest of my body.

 Me in all my boob glory. So you can get a rough idea of my boob size.

You see most of my friends have the sort of boobs that will stay up naturally in a low cut top (without any support). They could go braless; rocking spaghetti straps every time summer came around.  I had major boob envy and assumed that it was just not an experience that I would ever have.

I had to pull up my bra straps constantly, more often than not had the dreaded quad boob appearing underneath tight fitting tops and always needed to hoist up my strapless after one too many glasses of Pinot.

I couldn’t imagine not wearing a bra and had never thought about letting my boobs hang free.

I experienced a whole host of health problems just by wearing ill-fitting bras.  I can only imagine the problems I would have – had I not worn a bra at all.

I have experienced:

Back ache

Neck ache

Skin irritation

Other Common Symptoms of wearing an ill fitting bra:

Boob sweat

Issues with posture

Headaches

Sagging painful breasts

 I am all for a woman’s choice and I firmly believe a woman should be free to wear (or not wear) whatever she wants.

However I started to wonder – would this really work for a woman with larger breasts? Would this be an option for me?

So I decided to give it a go.

I came into work braless- just to see if we big boobed babes could embrace this too.

Surprisingly I found my experience started off quite pleasant. I put on a tight fitting dress which gave me some sort of support and I actually felt (dare I say it) sexy and free.  I was strangely in touch with mother nature.

Then my fantasy came crashing down -FAST.

I had to run for the bus .

As I ran my boobs bounced up, down , left, right, left,right,up,down- yeah you get the picture. There was just no way to try and hide the fact that my tatas were hanging loose.

At least the bus driver stopped.

I abruptly came to the realization that  my braless day was probably going to be a lot harder than I had anticipated.

It was cold and of course the natural thing happened. My nipples became like small daggers and I  started feeling very self-conscious. I could feel people staring at my large erected nipples.I was constantly covering my boobs with my hair desperately hoping nobody would notice. As you all know having larger boobs- usually means having larger nipples and so there was really no hope of them going undetected. Unbeknownst to me erected nipples start to hurt after being erected for a long time – I actually had to start warming my poor babies up…Luckily I had warned the office that I was without bra and so they did not stare at me funny when I started stroking ma nips.

Me trying to hide my dagger nips.

At a 30H I  know I need more support than just my back muscles. More than worrying about it being aesthetically pleasing I was starting to feel very physically uncomfortable. I could really feel the weight of my boobs. Imagine walking around with 2 LARGE pizzas free falling from your chest.

Want to know what yours weight ? Click here.

Walking up the stairs became a challenge – My boobs bounced in every direction and I found myself grabbing them like tennis balls trying to make it stop happening. There was nothing flattering about having a large mass

Raven demonstrating how I dealt with walking up the stairs…

I then started noticing the dreaded droop and I kept having to hoist them back in place- desperately hoping they would stay up or that my dress would magically keep them in place.

This is honestly how I felt after a few hours…

So my conclusion ? After conducting this little experiment I am a firm believer that big busted women should wear a bra – not because we don’t look fabulous  (actually when looking back at the photos it didn’t look half as bad as I thought it would), but because its downright uncomfortable. Perhaps this was just my experience , but I do believe if you have nearly a kilo of mass on each side of your chest you probably need something to keep it in place.

 What are your thoughts on the matter ? Do you go Braless? We would love to hear your opinions!

 Let us know in the comment section below or on Twitter – @Curvykate  x

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We have all experienced the struggle of finding a cute, yet supportive bikini –especially if you have a big bosom.

There is nothing worse than being worried your nipple might make an accidental appearance whilst nose diving into the pool, having your bikini top ride up to reveal a nice bit of under boob, or worse- having  the bikini top come off completely! A definite no no.

Well gorgeous girls – we have been there and done that. We know exactly what that feels like and the struggles you face when on the lookout for new swimwear. So we have designed our swimwear in the exact same way we design our bras.

In fact all our swimwear works to give you the same support, lift and shape that your bra would. So go ahead and scream Bralellujah, because below we have mapped out exactly which bra corresponds to what swim piece, so you can decide exactly what ‘look’ is right for you.

LUXE STRAPLESS

If you love our Luxe Strapless bra then all your dreams have come true! All our Bandeau bikinis are designed in the same way – great news for all your fuller bust girls out there. The unparalleled lift, comfort and design make it versatile with a range of outfits. Due to the cut of the 3 piece cup, our strapless will lift you from underneath giving an incredible shape and beach ready look.

Here we have our Luau Love in a gorgeous ‘deep sea’ colour and our first ever swimsuit, Siren, which is the most gorgeous neon coral colour – perfect with sun-kissed skin. All our strapless options come with straps for multi-way options – meaning you have so much choice! If you want to rock the strapless trend without giving away comfort this is definitely the option for you.

DAILY DREAM

If our Daily Dream bra is your fave then our padded swim pieces are for you. The flat seams help give you a smooth look, whilst the foam lining gives you a great shape without any bulking. The 3 piece cup helps lift you up and in – perfect for a fun day at the beach! Get your hands on the below pieces for perfect fitting and flattering lingerie…

The gorgeous Bon Voyage Tankini and Atlantis Balcony padded bikini are the perfect accompaniments to a lazy day in the sun.

DREAMCATCHER

Dreamcatcher is one of our favourite soft cup bras. If you love the fit and want to find the same in your swimwear then give our Tankinis a try. They offer a built in bra which is exactly the same style and pattern as  Dreamcatcher. A holiday staple, perfect for all activities, our tankinis are designed to complement and support your curves. They will lift and shape the breasts – we guarantee you will feel fabulous on the beach rocking one of these!

Both the Instinct and Luau Love Tankinis are perfect for a a more covered up style.

KITTY

Kitty is a plunging staple. If you love the cleavage but want serious support then Kitty shaped styles are the one for you. Flirty and sexy, plunge bikinis will be sure to get you all hot and bothered by the pool. Our plunge bikinis come with flattering ruching and a low central gore to make your boobs the centre of attention…

Get your hands on the Aloha or Casablanca Padded Plunge ranges to make sure you’re turning heads this Summer.

So there’s a quick round up of what we have on offer and if you love one particular style then odds are we have swimwear to match. Let us know if you need advice on finding a swimwear that matches with a lingerie set you love via Twitter, @CurvyKate. Bring on the beach!

Big Love x

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Fuller Bust lingerie brand Curvy Kate, have launched what could be the world’s most inclusive campaign to date, using a diverse range of women to model the latest collection, Scantilly. The campaign named #TheNewSexy, introduces 8 powerful female role models, including an Alopecia sufferer, a transgender woman, an amputee and recovered anorexic.

Challenging social ‘norms’, #TheNewSexy calls for women of all shapes, backgrounds and sizes to be represented in the media and looks to redefine how society views the word ‘sexy’. The company, who since launch have never employed a professional model, choosing to celebrate their customers instead, looked to social media to find the eclectic mix of role models to wear the new boudoir collection.

In recent years the modelling and fashion industries has been under scrutiny due to the lack of diversity promoted in advertisements. A report by ‘The Fashion Spot’ stated that out of 422 models involved in the largest Spring Summer 2016 campaigns only 21.8% were of colour, 1.4% were above a size 12 and zero transgender models was used. Scantilly hope that their continued use of customer role models will hail a new era for diversity in the fashion industry.

Former Anorexic and body positive activist, Megan Crabbe who starred in the campaign states: “I spent a long time believing that feeling confident or sexy was reserved for people with the ‘perfect’ body, and that the rest of us didn’t deserve it. Modelling for Scantilly after beating years of body insecurities was personally empowering and so much fun. This campaign shows anyone with body image issues that we are ALL worthy of confidence, all sizes, all skin colours, all abilities. It’s exactly the kind of diverse representation we need to help us all see our unique beauty a bit more clearly.”

Head of PR and Marketing, Hannah Isichei follows, “It’s important for us as a brand to speak to as many women as possible through our campaigns. We know our customers don’t all look the same so why should our models? Why should boudoir lingerie just be reserved for a handful of society? We want women to look at our products and see them on a body they can relate to. Scantilly lingerie is for every woman and every body, so it’s important that our models reflect this attitude.”

Scantilly by Curvy Kate’s third collection will be available from July 2016. The range including peep-hole briefs, sexy suspenders, half cup balcony bras and sheer basques is available in sizes DD-HH cups and S-XL at curvykate.com, Debenhams.com and Figleaves.com. For more information please visit: www.curvykate.com.

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The post #TheNewSexy – The Fearlessly Diverse Campaign appeared first on Curvy Kate's Blog.

Read Effie’s story below and check out our in-depth interview with her here.

Stephania Van Cluysen, a transgender female from Belgium, has recently shunned haters and championed diversity by starring in Scantilly by Curvy Kate’s latest and most inclusive campaign. #TheNewSexy introduces 8 powerful female role models, including an Alopecia Sufferer, an amputee and a recovered anorexic, all of whom want to show that they are confident and deserve to feel sexy in lingerie.

Stephania or ‘Effie’, 21, who was born a male, but now lives her life as a female after undergoing gender reassignment surgery in 2015, took part in the lingerie brand’s boudoir photoshoot to help redefine how society views the word ‘sexy’. Scantilly by Curvy Kate, who since launch have never employed a professional model, instead choosing to celebrate their customers, looked to social media to find the eclectic mix of role models to wear the new boudoir collection.

Effie who described growing up in Belgium as ‘difficult’ says she felt like a female from her very first memory. Her mother who fully supported her decision even visited the doctor when ‘Jordie’, as Effie was formally known, was only 3 years old saying, “My son is a girl”. Effie who received years of abuse and ridicule from the public and school peers, wants to show that she is a beautiful women who deserves to be celebrated.

Stephania states, “Not everyone should look the same and if they did there wouldn’t be a ‘sexy’. We need a mix of people! Everybody has the right to feel ok with themselves and if the media show a wide range of women – different races, heights, sizes, ages and abilities then the girls looking at the models in the magazines and wishing to be them, will feel way more at ease with who they are. If they see someone who looks like them, they may be less likely to want to change.

“I’m Transgender and because of this, I worried whether people would accept me or not, but really the most important person to accept me was myself – And I’m so glad that I did.” She continued.

In recent years the modelling and fashion industries has been under scrutiny due to the lack of diversity promoted in advertisements. A report by ‘The Fashion Spot’ stated that out of 422 models involved in the largest Spring Summer 2016 campaigns only 21.8% were of colour, 1.4% were above a size 12 and not one transgender model was used. Scantilly hope that their continued use of customer role models will hail a new era for diversity within the fashion industry.

Head of PR and Marketing, Hannah Isichei follows, “It’s important for us as a brand to speak to as many women as possible through our campaigns. We know our customers don’t all look the same so why should our models? Why should boudoir lingerie just be reserved for a handful of society? We want women to look at our products and see them on a body they can relate to. Scantilly lingerie is for every woman and every body, so it’s important that our models reflect this attitude.’

Scantilly by Curvy Kate’s third collection will be available from July 2016. The range including peep-hole briefs, sexy suspenders, half cup balcony bras and sheer basques is available in sizes DD-HH cups and S-XL at curvykate.com, Debenhams.com and Figleaves.com. For more information please visit: www.curvykate.com.

To read the next installment of the campaign on our resident model Lotte, click here.

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The post Transgender Woman Shuns Haters by Modelling Lingerie in Diversity shoot. appeared first on Curvy Kate's Blog.

Read Effie’s Interview below and to find out more about her and the campaign here.

What, in your opinion, is #TheNewSexy?

“Not everyone should look the same – if they did there wouldn’t be a sexy. We need a mix of people!”

What’s your greatest achievement?

“I’m a Transgender person and I would say that’s a pretty big step to take. I worried whether people would accept me or not but really the most important person to accept me was myself – And I’m so glad that I did.”

Why do you think it’s so important that the fashion industry shows diversity?

“Everybody has the right to feel ok with themselves and if the media show a wide range of women, you know different races, heights, sizes, ages and abilities then the girls looking at the models in the magazines and wishing to be them will feel way more at ease with who they are. If they see someone who looks like them, they may be less likely to want to change.”

Do you think Social media is good of bad for people’s self-esteem?

“It can be good but it can be bad. The campaign we’re doing today is obviously good as it’s giving a minority a voice but there is a lot of hate out there but we just need to learnt to rise above it and brands like yours keep doing what they’re doing.”

What’s the hardest thing you’ve ever had to overcome?

“My transition and learning to be completely happy with who I am.”

What’s your favourite attribute?

“That I know I have a lot of haters out there who don’t like what I am or used to be but that I’m able to not hate them back. I just realise that they’re not open minded enough, it’s their fault not mine. You don’t have to like me but I like me and that’s all that matters.”

Who inspires you most?

“My mum. She never turned her back on me, I’m her daughter and she loves me regardless. If I ever have a chance to be a mother I would strive to be like her.”

Who’s your style icon?

“I love Rihanna, she has such a great attitude. She wears what she wants and doesn’t give a damn what anyone thinks – that’s what I’d like to think I’m like.

Do you think the media are finally taking note and representing more people?

“They’re taking little steps. There is more diversity than there was previously but there needs to be more.”

When do you feel most sexy?

“Always. It sounds silly but if you’re happy with who you are then you will look and feel sexy in my eyes.”

When do you feel most comfortable?

“I’m a generally very comfortable person so most of the time.”

Tell me an interesting fact about you.

“I like music that was made by people that don’t like people like me.”

What advice would you give to your 15 year old self if you knew what you know now?

“Start your transition right now and stop being afraid. Stop listening to what other people have to say. If you think you can do it then just go for it. It was a very difficult process but it got me to where I am now so I’d to it all over again. I’ve been a female physically for a year now and it’s been the best year of my life.”

What advice would you give to anyone struggling with self-confidence?

“Talking to other people helps. Don’t keep it all bottled up. If you don’t talk about it you won’t get opinions, and you don’t necessarily have to listen to every opinion to people who care about you will give good advice.”

What’s your favourite set from the new Scantilly collection?

“The one I’m wearing- I love it!!! It’s the best bra I’ve ever worn.”

Thanks so much to Effie for taking part. This gorgeous girl is wearing Scantilly’s Invitation Half-Cup, and doesn’t she look amazing?! To join in the conversation or share your views of what is ‘Sexy’ then Tweet us @CurvyKate using the hashtag #TheNewSexy.

To read the next installment on our resident model Lotte, click here.

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The post #TheNewSexy – Effie’s Story appeared first on Curvy Kate's Blog.

Read Georgina’s Story below or read her in-depth interview here.

Georgina Horne, a successful plus-size blogger, has shown that her fuller figure and bust are something to be proud of by taking part in Scantilly by Curvy Kate’s latest and most inclusive campaign. #TheNewSexy introduces 8 powerful female role models, including an Alopecia Sufferer, a Transgender woman and a recovered anorexic, all of whom want to show that they are confident and deserve to feel sexy in lingerie.

Horne, 27, who now has over 200,000 followers on social media, became a success after launching her blog, ‘Fuller Figure, Fuller Bust’ in 2011. Her platform began as a lingerie blog but has morphed into a plus-size lifestyle and fashion blog, which sees her regularly asked to collaborate with brands and to even model and design for them. Georgina’s message is to show other plus-size women that you can be fuller-figured and happy and confident with your shape.

Georgina states, “We’re redefining the idea of sexy. It’s not just one look, one size, one piece of clothing, it’s any person wearing anything, any size, any age, they deserve to feel sexy and can feel sexy. The problem is that everyone needs to be represented. You’re more likely to shop with a brand who uses someone who looks a little like you, it makes you feel included and like you’re worthy. So yeah Diversity helps everyone- It’s a no brainer.”

In recent years the modelling and fashion industries has been under scrutiny due to the lack of diversity promoted in advertisements. A report by ‘The Fashion Spot’ stated that out of 422 models involved in the largest Spring Summer 2016 campaigns only 21.8% were of colour, 1.4% were above a size 12 and not one transgender or disabled model was used. Scantilly hope that their continued use of customer role models will hail a new era for diversity within the fashion industry.

Head of PR and Marketing, Hannah Isichei follows, “It’s important for us as a brand to speak to as many women as possible through our campaigns. We know our customers don’t all look the same so why should our models? Why should boudoir lingerie just be reserved for a handful of society? We want women to look at our products and see them on a body they can relate to. Scantilly lingerie is for every woman and every body, so it’s important that our models reflect this attitude.’

Scantilly by Curvy Kate’s third collection will be available from July 2016. The range including peep-hole briefs, sexy suspenders, half cup balcony bras and sheer basques is available in sizes DD-HH cups and S-XL at curvykate.com, Debenhams.com and Figleaves.com. For more information please visit: www.curvykate.com.

Read the next installment of the campaign with Effie here.

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The post Plus-size Blogger Takes Part in Most Diverse Photoshoot Ever. appeared first on Curvy Kate's Blog.

Read Georgina’s interview below and to find out more about her and the campaign here.

What, in your opinion, is #TheNewSexy?

“Redefining the idea of sexy. It’s not just one look, one size, one piece of clothing, it’s any person wearing anything, any size, any age, they can feel sexy.”

What’s your greatest achievement?

“I would say my blog is my greatest achievement because it’s given me a career, friends, confidence, loads of new clothes of lingerie and new experiences that I wouldn’t have otherwise had. Yeah my blog has completely shaped my life really.”

Why do you think it’s so important that the fashion industry shows diversity?

“Everyone needs to be represented. You’re more likely to shop with a brand who uses someone who looks a little like you, it makes you feel included and like you’re worthy. So yeah Diversity helps everyone- It’s a no brainer.”

Do you think Social media is good of bad for people’s self-esteem?

“I think social media can make you feel the extremes, I think when used right, with the right mind-set then it’s a really powerful tool. Posting a selfie, doesn’t necessarily mean your vain it can just mean you’re ready to go on a night out and you just need that little extra boost before you step out of the front door. It’s a shame people abuse it but if you make sure you surround yourself with the right people, block out the S**t people, then yeah it can be a really good tool. I am pro social media!”

What’s the hardest thing you’ve ever had to overcome?

“Probably, leading back to it all, but the way I looked. When I entered [Curvy Kate’s] Star in a Bra, I took very posed photos and then when I saw the real photos taken by the professional photographer, I hated how I looked. At the time I was really upset I didn’t win but upon reflection I’m really glad I didn’t. Losing control was the scariest thing, and it’s taken a while to get to a point where I am happy to stand in front of the camera and have someone else take the photos. You just have to remember that you’re there because someone wants you there, and you’re wearing the products because someone wants you to wear the products, and everyone wants you to look your best. It’s about telling yourself that you are worthy.”

What’s your favourite attribute?

“I’m a go-getter, if I want something I’ll get it. I pursued [my boyfriend] Robbie, last year I told myself I’d pass my driving test and I did, about 3 days before Christmas. If I want something I do everything in my power to get that. I suppose it means I’m not scared of trying things either, I live thinking ‘I’d rather regret what I did do than what I didn’t’ – obviously within reason.”

Who inspires you most?

“It changes a lot, but at the moment, being a big cliché, I’m in love with Ashley Graham. Everything about how, you know – she’s a go-getter too, she works out, eats well, and takes care of her body doing everything she needs to. She’s absolutely flawless on shoots and having met her she is just so lovely, she’s just chasing her dream and doing good things.”

Who’s your style icon?

“I like Paloma Faith. This again changes all the time depending on my mood and the people I’m surrounded by. I think the best thing about style is making it your own, you shouldn’t idolise to the point where you copy, you should take inspiration and little bit for different people and make something unique to you.”

Do you think the media are finally taking note and representing more people?

“Yeah I think they are, I think there’s still a way to go but I don’t know what the next step is because I don’t think the media can keep up with people’s mind sets, but yeah it is definitely improving.”

 When do you feel most sexy?

“When I feel happy in my skin, and when I’m with people that I love, obviously I don’t feel sexy sat around the dinner table with my family but all the positivity adds to me feeling good about myself.”

When do you feel most comfortable?

“When I’m dressed up, ready for a night out. I like the extremes. I dress down most days because I like how hair and makeup and clothing can make an impact.”

Tell us an interesting fact about you.

Georgina: “I have 12 pet rats.”

What advice would you give to your 15 year old self if you knew what you know now?

Georgina: “I was bullied quite a lot for being fat, and I was nothing compared to what I am now. I look back and photos and really I was just busty with a big bum and then big school shirts and skirts didn’t look great on me. I think the hard thing is when you’re a teenager is that people will tell you things but you’ll never really listen, but telling my 15 year old self that things do get better and to just be my own person. When I went to college at 16 I tried to wear the same things as everyone else and tried to be fashionable but my body shape just wouldn’t allow it. I think I’d just like to tell myself to go with what I feel comfortable doing, what I feel comfortable wearing.”

What advice would you give to anyone struggling with self-confidence?

“Confidence has to be learnt, not taught, and I know that sounds harsh but it has to be from within. If you’re struggling with confidence you need to sit down and think about all the things that you like about yourself. What are the things that other people compliment you on? You can’t be like ‘I like my nose but I hate my ears’ you just need to say ‘I like my nose’, ‘I like that I’m funny’, ‘I like that I’m great at maths’, and then just work your way on that.”

What’s your favourite set from the new Scantilly collection?

“I love the Chartreuse Peek-a-boo.”

Thanks so much to Georgina from Fuller Figure Fuller Bust for taking part. The set she is wearing is Scantilly’s Surrender Basque, and doesn’t she look amazing?! To join in the conversation or share your views of what is ‘Sexy’ then Tweet us @CurvyKate using the hashtag #TheNewSexy.

Read the next installment of the campaign with Effie here.

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The post #TheNewSexy – Georgina’s Story appeared first on Curvy Kate's Blog.

Read Therese’s story below and read her in-depth interview here.

Therese Hansson, a curve model who suffers with skin condition Alopecia, has recently proven that having no hair won’t hold her back after starring in Scantilly by Curvy Kate’s latest and most inclusive campaign. #TheNewSexy introduces 8 powerful female role models, including a transgender female, an amputee and a recovered anorexic, all of whom want to champion diversity and show they deserve to feel sexy in lingerie.

Hansson, 25, who lives in Sweden with her family and works as a full-time carer, was diagnosed with Alopecia at the age of 14. For many years, she was self-conscious of her condition, hiding her Alopecia from her peers by wearing wigs. 11 years on, Therese who is a curvy size 14, has been signed as a plus-size model and is fully embracing her body and condition.

Therese states, “People who have Alopecia tend to hide it by wearing wigs, but we need to embrace it so other people understand and accept it. It is a difficult disease because I could get my hair back tomorrow but I could easily lose it all again next week. That’s why I need to make sure I’m happy with who I am regardless of whether I have hair or not. At the end of the day I’m not dying – things could be so much worse.”

In recent years the modelling and fashion industries has been under scrutiny due to the lack of diversity promoted in advertisements. Scantilly by Curvy Kate wanted to challenge this by displaying a range of women, all of whom are happy in their own skin. They teamed up with Therese via social media as they sought an eclectic mix of role models to wear the new boudoir collection.

Head of PR and Marketing, Hannah Isichei follows, “It’s important for us as a brand to speak to as many women as possible through our campaigns. We know our customers don’t all look the same so why should our models? Why should boudoir lingerie just be reserved for a handful of society? We want women to look at our products and see them on a body they can relate to. Scantilly lingerie is for every woman and every body, so it’s important that our models reflect this attitude.’

Scantilly by Curvy Kate’s third collection will be available from July 2016. The range including peep-hole briefs, sexy suspenders, half cup balcony bras and sheer basques is available in sizes DD-HH cups and S-XL at curvykate.com, Debenhams.com and Figleaves.com. For more information please visit: www.curvykate.com.

Have a read of the next installment of the campaign with Georgina here.

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The post Alopecia Sufferer Star of World’s Most Diverse Photoshoot. appeared first on Curvy Kate's Blog.

Have a read of Therese’s interview below or find out more about her and the campaign here.

What, in your opinion, is #TheNewSexy?

“The new sexy is freedom to be the person you are with all the things that you yourself would call faults even though they’re not. It’s all about people being able show their differences.”

What’s your greatest achievement?

“When I was finally open and accepted my skin disease”

Why do you think it’s so important that the fashion industry shows diversity?

“Because before brands and magazines started taking notice of people’s differences everyone thought they had to look a certain way and that there is in some way a ‘right’ way to look but now people can be different and interesting and feel ok about that.”

Do you think Social media is good of bad for people’s self-esteem?

“I think both. Social media can show Diversity but it can also still show a lot of ‘The Perfect body’ and how people should look.”

What’s the hardest thing you’ve ever had to overcome?

“When I overcame the fear of being myself to other people. When I got to show the real me.”

What’s your favourite attribute?

“People think I look good without hair and even though I sometimes don’t believe them I’m still happy with who I am. That being said I’m the only one allowed to judge me, I don’t care whether people like the way I look or not.

Who inspires you most?

“My mum because she’s so kind and cares about everyone – She’s still making sandwiches for my brother for when he goes to work!”

Who’s your style icon?

“Amber Rose because she has a shaved head and such cool outfits. When you have shaved head I think you have to show off what you’ve got with amazing outfits and make-up instead and she does that.”

Do you think the media are finally taking note and representing more people?

“I think there are definitely more diverse women in fashion now, including Winnie Harlow who suffers from Vitiligo. At one point you would have never seen a woman with a skin condition in the media but it’s more normal now. There’s still more to be done but it’s much better than it was.”

When do you feel most sexy?

“I feel most sexy when I’ve been in the sun and my skin is sun-kissed.”

When do you feel most comfortable?

“I feel really comfortable when my outfit is great and my make-up is on point and people are looking at me.”

Tell me an interesting fact about you.

“I started with my skin condition 10 years ago, it started with spot/patches but then after 3 or 4 years I lost everything. People think I have cancer which I don’t. People who have Alopecia tend to hide it by wearing wigs but we need to embrace it so other people understand and accept it. There are 3 types of Alopecia – All over, just head or spots of baldness. It’s a difficult disease because I could get my hair back tomorrow but I could easily lose it all again next week. That’s why I need to make sure I’m happy with who I am regardless of whether I have hair or not. At the end of the day I’m not dying – things could be so much worse.”

What advice would you give to your 15 year old self if you knew what you know now?

“I would have told myself to let go and embrace sooner. I hid my condition for years but if I could tell myself how happy and confident I am now with being bald then I would. I’d just say stop hiding it.”

What advice would you give to anyone struggling with self-confidence?

“If they let loose earlier then they will feel better about themselves sooner. They will regret not learning to love themselves because life is too short.”

What’s your favourite set from the new Scantilly collection?

“Fixate – I love the frills.”

Thanks to Therese for taking part in the campaign and our interview. The gorgeous set that she so perfectly models is the Peek-a-Boo Chartreuse – doesn’t she look amazing?! If you want to join the conversation and let us know what you think is the new ‘Sexy’ then Tweet us @CurvyKate using the hashtag #TheNewSexy.

Read the next installment of the campaign with Georgina from Fuller Figure Fuller Bust here.

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The post #TheNewSexy – Therese’s Story appeared first on Curvy Kate's Blog.

Have a read of Megan’s Story below or read her in-depth interview here.

Recovered anorexic, Megan Jayne Crabbe has recently proven to the world that her body demons are truly behind her after starring in Scantilly by Curvy Kate’s latest and most inclusive campaign. #TheNewSexy introduces 8 powerful female role models, including an Alopecia Sufferer, an amputee and a transgender woman, all of whom want to show that they are confident and deserve to feel sexy in lingerie.

Megan, 23, who suffered with Anorexia Nervosa from the age of 14, has recently made a name for herself due to her successful blog ‘BodyPosiPanda’ and body-positive social presence. Megan, who at her thinnest weighed just 4st 6lbs now encourages her followers to be happy with their bodies by posting bikini and ‘belly roll’ pictures of herself, proving recovery is possible. Scantilly by Curvy Kate, who since launch have never employed a professional model, choosing to celebrate their customers instead, teamed with Megan via social media and found an eclectic mix of role models to wear the new boudoir collection.

In recent years the modelling and fashion industries has been under scrutiny due to the lack of diversity promoted in advertisements. A report by ‘The Fashion Spot’ stated that out of 422 models involved in the largest Spring Summer 2016 campaigns only 21.8% were of colour, 1.4% were above a size 12 and not one transgender model was used. Scantilly hope that their continued use of customer role models will hail a new era for diversity within the fashion industry.

Megan states, “I think we learn how to view ourselves through the eyes of the media and we judge ourselves against everything we see and that’s why so many people think they have to match to up to this unrealistic and often photo-shopped standards. The easiest way we can accept ourselves is by seeing a body like ours out there. That’s why this campaign is so needed and its revolutionary really.”

“My biggest achievement is turning around my mind-set about myself. I’m a recovered anorexic and because of this I spent years hating myself, everything about myself, especially my body. It takes a hell of a lot to take yourself out of that mind-set and recognise and see yourself in another way. I’m proud of myself for doing that and showing others that they are able to do it too.”

Head of PR and Marketing, Hannah Isichei follows, “It’s important for us as a brand to speak to as many women as possible through our campaigns. We know our customers don’t all look the same so why should our models? Why should boudoir lingerie just be reserved for a handful of society? We want women to look at our products and see them on a body they can relate to. Scantilly lingerie is for every woman and every body, so it’s important that our models reflect this attitude.’

Scantilly by Curvy Kate’s third collection will be available from July 2016. The range including peep-hole briefs, sexy suspenders, half cup balcony bras and sheer basques is available in sizes DD-HH cups and S-XL at curvykate.com, Debenhams.com and Figleaves.com. For more information please visit: www.curvykate.com.

Read the next installment of the campaign with Therese here.

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The post Former Anorexic Shows off Curves in Diverse, Body-Positive Campaign appeared first on Curvy Kate's Blog.

Have a read of Megan’s Interview below and to find out more about her and the campaign, click here.

What, in your opinion, is #TheNewSexy?

“The new sexy is being diverse and unique, embracing who you are flaws and all”.

What’s your greatest achievement?

“Turning around my mind-set about myself. I’m a recovered anorexic and because of this I spent years hating myself, everything about myself, especially my body. It takes a hell of a lot to take yourself out of that mind-set and recognise and see yourself in another way. I’m proud of myself for doing that and showing other that they are able to do it too.”

Why do you think it’s so important that the fashion industry shows diversity?

“Well, I think we learn how to view ourselves through the eyes of the media and we judge ourselves against everything we see and that’s why so many people think they have to match to up to this unrealistic and often photoshopped standard and the easiest way we can accept ourselves is by seeing a body like ours out there. That’s why this campaign is so needed and its revolutionary really.”

Do you think Social media is good of bad for people’s self-esteem?

“I think social media can be a real breeding ground for comparison, for self-esteem issues and it’s so easy to reach the toxic side of social media that it makes it even more important  to make sure that there is a positive side and to promote it as much as possible. I believe you can stumble across the negative posts very easily but you actively need to seek out the positives to create some sort of balance.”

What’s the hardest thing you’ve ever had to overcome?

“Anorexia. Although I believe myself to be fully recovered due to finding body-positivity and it changing the way I thought about myself it was still the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do.”

What’s your favourite attribute?

“Being compassionate. I really love to take care of people, it’s what I do for a living as I care for my older sister who has Cerebral Palsy, so yeah…just being a kind person!”

Who inspires you most?

“My paternal grandmother was the first black actress to appear on British television and she got an OBE for her charity with single mothers that were still very stigmatised back then. She was amazing so whenever I’m doing something I always try and make her proud.”

Do you think the media are finally taking note and representing more people?

“I think they’re taking baby steps, I don’t think it’s anywhere near enough though. The diversity campaigns I’ve seen, in America anyway, they’ve tried but they’re messing up with ethnicity, ability, genders etc. The thing that worries me is that brands are doing it because they care or if they’re doing it as a gimmick. I mean weight watchers are using #bodypositivity what the hell!?”

When do you feel most sexy?

“When I feel body-confident really. I could be wearing old ratty pyjamas or a full-blown lingerie set but as long as I feel good about myself then It just radiates.”

When do you feel most comfortable?

“I feel most comfortable when I’m in my pyjamas snuggled up on the sofa with my dogs.”

What advice would you give to your 15 year old self if you knew what you know now?

“Oh wow. I would say ‘eat, it’s going to be ok, you don’t exist to look like a magazine picture, you’ve got a hell of a lot more to give to the world, you’re strong enough to do it and powerful enough to take control and you deserve to live.”

What advice would you give to anyone struggling with self-confidence?

“Look around you and start filling your life with positive influences, stop following things on social media that make your feel bad about yourself. Fill up your feed with a diverse and confident mix of people and you’ll feel better about yourself. It’s really important to hammer home that you deserve to love your body and feel great when you look in the mirror but you really should know that you are more than that.”

Thanks so much to Megan from ‘Body Posi Panda‘ for taking part in the campaign and our interview. The set this gorgeous girl is wearing is Scantilly’s Showtime, and doesn’t she look amazing?! To join in the conversation or share your views of what is ‘Sexy’ then Tweet us @CurvyKate using the hashtag #TheNewSexy.

Have a read of the next installment of the campaign with Therese here.

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The post #TheNewSexy – Megan’s Story appeared first on Curvy Kate's Blog.

Have a read of Taylor’s Story below and read her in-depth interview here.

Taylor Crisp, an amputee from Leicester has recently flown the flag for disabled people everywhere by taking part in Scantilly by Curvy Kate’s latest and most inclusive campaign. #TheNewSexy introduces 8 powerful female role models, including an Alopecia Sufferer, a Transgender woman and a recovered anorexic, all of whom want to show that they are confident and deserve to feel sexy in lingerie.

Crisp, 21, was born with FFU (Femur Fibula Ulna) syndrome meaning she had severe defeats with the development of her right leg, including having no knee cap, no ankle joint, and no proper hip socket. Many years of constant surgery and struggles meant that by the age of 11, Taylor’s leg was so damaged she had her leg amputated and was required to live life with a prosthetic limb. 10 years on and Taylor has recently been told that she will no longer to be able to walk without the aid of crutches but she’s not going to let it stop her.

Taylor states, “I was taught from a young age that [my leg] shouldn’t hold me back. I can’t sit and think ‘why me??’ all the time because it could have been anyone. There are so many different people out there; people who are different aren’t a minority because everyone is different. It took a while to realise but I’m really happy with who I am. You need to learn to ignore the people who try and bring you down and just rise above it.”

In recent years the modelling and fashion industries has been under scrutiny due to the lack of diversity promoted in advertisements. A report by ‘The Fashion Spot’ stated that out of 422 models involved in the largest Spring Summer 2016 campaigns only 21.8% were of colour, 1.4% were above a size 12 and not one transgender or disabled model was used. Scantilly hope that their continued use of customer role models will hail a new era for diversity within the fashion industry.

Head of PR and Marketing, Hannah Isichei follows, “It’s important for us as a brand to speak to as many women as possible through our campaigns. We know our customers don’t all look the same so why should our models? Why should boudoir lingerie just be reserved for a handful of society? We want women to look at our products and see them on a body they can relate to. Scantilly lingerie is for every woman and every body, so it’s important that our models reflect this attitude.’

Scantilly by Curvy Kate’s third collection will be available from July 2016. The range including peep-hole briefs, sexy suspenders, half cup balcony bras and sheer basques is available in sizes DD-HH cups and S-XL at curvykate.com, Debenhams.com and Figleaves.com. For more information please visit: www.curvykate.com.

Read the next installment of the campaign with Megan from Body Posi Panda.

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The post Amputee Challenges Beauty ‘Norms’ by Posing in Lingerie. appeared first on Curvy Kate's Blog.

Have a read of Taylor interview below and find out more about her here.

What, in your opinion, is #TheNewSexy?

“The new sexy is having self-love and always embracing what you’ve got.”

What’s your greatest achievement?

“Coming to terms with my own confidence because I never used to feel this confident. Whereas now I’m really happy with who I am. You need to learn to ignore the people who try and bring you down and just rise above it.”

Why do you think it’s so important that the fashion industry shows diversity?

“Because there are so many different people out there, people who are different aren’t a minority because everyone is different. There shouldn’t be a certain way to look, all the models they use at the minute look the same and everyone should have someone to relate to.”

Do you think Social media is good of bad for people’s self-esteem?

“On one hand I think it’s great because people can find inspiration, people to speak to and people to look up to but on the other hand I think you have to have a hard shell to be able to ignore the people who can say horrible things and try and bring you down- If you’re not a strong person that might get to you. On the whole though it’s great to have it there so you can experience new people and styles and it opens your eyes.”

What’s the hardest thing you’ve ever had to overcome?

“I think recently being told that I won’t be able to walk again without crutches was pretty tough. I was born with FFU syndrome, that’s where you have a shorted femur, no knee cap, no ankle joint, your two shin bones are fused together. I only had 4 toes and no proper hip socket. I had a fall and it went wrong from there. I had surgery to try and correct it but now because they’ve operated so many times they’ve actually damaged the leg and there is nothing more they can do. FFU syndrome and an amputee is really rare but I still played football, netball, hockey and basketball up until the age of 11 on my prosthetic leg. I was taught from a young age that it shouldn’t hold me back, I can’t think ‘why me??’ because it could have been anyone and really it’s good it’s me because I’m equipped to deal with it.”

What’s your favourite attribute?

“My smile as I think it’s really welcoming to someone. I would say how trusting and caring I am as a person too.”

Who inspires you most?

“My mum because she’s been there for me through everything and she’s coped so well as I have 4 sisters and a brother and she’s still supported me and was the best mum in to world to all of us.”

Who’s your style icon?

“Kat von D”

Do you think the media are finally taking note and representing more people?

“I think they are, I’ve seen lots more disabled people being included recently but I think they’re on the way to something beautiful but they’re not quite there yet. Hopefully they will soon get there.”

When do you feel most sexy?

“When I’m all dressed up with my hair and make-up done.”

When do you feel most comfortable?

“Most of the time now, on a day to day basis I’m comfortable knowing that this is it really.”

Tell me an interesting fact about you.

“I like to play guitar and sing.”

What advice would you give to your 15 year old self if you knew what you know now?

“Not to worry and not to rush. I always wanted to be running around and doing everything too quickly, especially for my own body as well. Whereas now I’d just want to chill-out and take 5 and stop trying to do everything at a million miles per hour.”

What advice would you give to anyone struggling with self-confidence?

“Stop thinking about what you think are negatives and focus on the things that you believe to be positive about yourself and embrace them, even if they’re just the little things. That’s the steps towards being self-confident and loving yourself.

What’s your favourite set from the new Scantilly collection?

“Invitation.”

Thanks to Taylor for taking part in the campaign and our interview. She’s sizzling in the sultry Tuxedo set along with Peek-a-Boo Black – Isn’t she gorgeous?! If you want to join the conversation and let us know what you think is the new ‘Sexy’ then Tweet us @CurvyKate using the hashtag #TheNewSexy.

Read the next installment of the campaign with Megan from Body Posi Panda.

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The post #TheNewSexy – Taylor’s Story appeared first on Curvy Kate's Blog.

Find out all about Gracie below and read her in-depth interview here.

Grace Victory, a globally successful Youtube Vlogger and TV personality has shown that she is proud of her plus-size figure by  taking part in Scantilly by Curvy Kate’s latest and most inclusive campaign. #TheNewSexy introduces 8 powerful female role models, including an Alopecia Sufferer, a Transgender woman and a recovered anorexic, all of whom want to show that they are confident and deserve to feel sexy in lingerie.

Victory, 25, who goes by the name ‘Gracie Francesca’ online, became a success after launching her vlog channel ‘The Ugly Face of Beauty’ on Youtube. Her channel covers all topics from style, food, beauty and also more hard hitting issues such as self-esteem, eating disorders and self-harm. Nick-named ‘The internet’s big sister’, Gracie is determined to show young vulnerable adolescents that there is light at the end of the tunnel and that they are worthy of self-love regardless of the issues they have faced.

Gracie states, “I think if diversity was shown in the media it would just become the ‘norm’. At the moment it’s still kind of an ‘oh my god moment’ when we see someone who is slightly bigger or even a girl of colour on the catwalk or in adverts, which is shocking really. Showing all different kinds of people will really help the younger generations to see someone they relate to, whether it be tall, short, fat, thin or whatever. I think the industry has a long way to go but some brands such as Scantilly are putting their foot forward and playing a part in something that means such a lot to a wide range of people.”

In recent years the modelling and fashion industries has been under scrutiny due to the lack of diversity promoted in advertisements. A report by ‘The Fashion Spot’ stated that out of 422 models involved in the largest Spring Summer 2016 campaigns only 21.8% were of colour, 1.4% were above a size 12 and not one transgender or disabled model was used. Scantilly hope that their continued use of customer role models will hail a new era for diversity within the fashion industry.

Head of PR and Marketing, Hannah Isichei follows, “It’s important for us as a brand to speak to as many women as possible through our campaigns. We know our customers don’t all look the same so why should our models? Why should boudoir lingerie just be reserved for a handful of society? We want women to look at our products and see them on a body they can relate to. Scantilly lingerie is for every woman and every body, so it’s important that our models reflect this attitude.’

Scantilly by Curvy Kate’s third collection will be available from July 2016. The range including peep-hole briefs, sexy suspenders, half cup balcony bras and sheer basques is available in sizes DD-HH cups and S-XL at curvykate.com, Debenhams.com and Figleaves.com. For more information please visit: www.curvykate.com.

Read the next installment of the campaign here with Taylor.

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The post ‘The Internet’s Big Sister’ shows us how everyone deserves to feel Sexy. appeared first on Curvy Kate's Blog.

Have a read of Gracie’s interview below and to find out more about her here.

What, in your opinion, is #TheNewSexy?

“Body diversity – in terms of shape, colour and size. I think it’s really important for a brand to showcase different types of people.”

What’s your greatest achievement?

“Is that I have just signed a contract with BBC to create a show surrounding the topic of Eating disorders, which is something I really struggled with and still do have disordered eating so it’s great to be able to speak about that on a global scale.”

Why do you think it’s so important that the fashion industry shows diversity?

“I think if diversity was shown it would be the ‘norm’. At the moment it’s still kind of an ‘oh my god moment’ when we see someone who is slightly bigger or even a girl of colour on the catwalk or in adverts, which is shocking really. Showing all different kinds of people will really help the younger generations to see someone they relate to, whether it be tall, short, fat, thin or whatever. I think the industry has a long way to go but some brands such as Scantilly are putting their foot forward and playing a part in something that means such a lot to a wide range of people.”

Do you think Social media is good of bad for people’s self-esteem?

“Both, I think you can use the internet in a negative and a positive way but unfortunately I think it’s the negative comments that stick. I can get a thousand ‘beautifuls’ but it’s the one comment that says I’m ugly that I remember. It completely depends on how social media is used and some people don’t use it in a positive way.”

What’s the hardest thing you’ve ever had to overcome?

“I think accepting myself.  The world will make you feel like you need to be thin or lose weight to love yourself but it’s not true and that was important for me to learn. It was a hard journey for me to love myself at every stage that I am- If I’ve putting on weight, if I’ve lost weight, whatever it is about myself, like cellulite and stretch marks, I just have to accept them. I think I’m constantly on a journey to accept myself and I’ll always be on it, because we change so much as women, so yeah that’s what I have had to overcome. It’s about accepting me for what I am and not conforming to what the world tells me is beautiful.”

What’s your favourite attribute?

“I’m a helpful person, I’m good at giving advice and listening and then what I like about myself physically is my smile and the shape of my eyes and I have nice feet.”

Who inspires you most?

“The everyday girl, I’m not really inspired by celebrities; I’m inspired more by people who are just like me, that have done something incredible or different with their lives. Megan who is also involved in #TheNewSexy campaign is someone who really inspires me as she has overcome an eating disorder but is not living this amazing body positive life. She’s just so gorgeous and inspires me.”

Who’s your style icon?

“I really like the way Demi Lovato dresses, she’s kind of rock chick, and I also like festival style like frills and a bohemian vibe, so I like Vanessa Hudgens for that but really I get most of my inspiration from people on the street and people on Instagram.

Do you think the media are finally taking note and representing more people?

“I feel like we’re making progress but it’s still really slow. There’s a long way to go for race diversity and body diversity, I think America are slightly ahead of the UK in some respects. The problem is even if ‘Curvy’ is accepted it’s a certain type of curves, you’ve got to have big boobs and toned thighs and not everyone who’s bigger looks like that. It just makes me worry that if I struggle with that then how do young vulnerable people cope?”

When do you feel most sexy?

“I fell most sexy when I’m wearing no make-up, and I’ve got really frizzy hair and I’m lying on a beach with a cocktail and bronzed skin. Just all natural.”

When do you feel most comfortable?

“So either on a beach or snuggled on the sofa when it’s raining and you’re watching a film under a duvet. One or the other.”

Tell me an interesting fact about you.

“One of my boobs is an E cup and one is an F.”

What advice would you give to your 15 year old self if you knew what you know now?

“Don’t listen to what people say about you because you’re perfect just the way you are.”

What advice would you give to anyone struggling with self-confidence?

“Get off social media and get outside. I think sometimes we’re so consumed  with all these images of what we think we should look like that if you just got out and way from it all and took the time to appreciate things then you would realise you are more than just your body and you’re more than what you look like. Learn to love yourself at every stage of your life.”

What’s your favourite set from the new Scantilly collection?

“Unleash because I love high-waist briefs and I can never find sexy ones but Scantilly have manged it.”

Thanks to Gracie for taking part in the campaign and our interview. The sexy set that she is so perfectly modelling is the Unleash – doesn’t she look amazing?! If you want to join the conversation and let us know what you think is the new ‘Sexy’ then Tweet us @CurvyKate using the hashtag #TheNewSexy.

Read the next installment of the campaign from Taylor here.

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The post #TheNewSexy – Gracie’s Story appeared first on Curvy Kate's Blog.

Read Joanne’s Story below and to find out more, check out her interview here.

Joanne Larby, a successful Irish beauty and fitness blogger, has shown that her toned size 12 body should be represented by taking part in Scantilly by Curvy Kate’s latest and most inclusive campaign. #TheNewSexy introduces 8 powerful female role models, including an Alopecia Sufferer, a Transgender woman and a recovered anorexic, all of whom want to show that they are confident and deserve to feel sexy in lingerie.

Larby, 28, who now has over 100,000 followers on social media, became a success after launching her blog, ‘The Makeup Fairy’ in 2011. Her platform began as a beauty blog but has morphed into a fitness, lifestyle and fashion page, which has seen her regularly asked to collaborate with brands and she has even published her own book. Joanne’s message is to show other women that you can be fit and healthy while keeping your curves and being happy and confident with your shape.

Joanne states, “With social media at the moment, we’re open to some many different opinions and we have the chance to have a voice through social media. People follow their ‘idols’ for various reasons and it’s so integral that we are promoting a diversified look on things so we aren’t scrolling on feed feeling constantly depressed that you aren’t that ‘standardised’ model , because it’s so unobtainable it can really get in on you mind frame because the comparison starts. So we need to have a diversified feed that we are all subject to, so we all feel represented.”

In recent years the modelling and fashion industries has been under scrutiny due to the lack of diversity promoted in advertisements. A report by ‘The Fashion Spot’ stated that out of 422 models involved in the largest Spring Summer 2016 campaigns only 21.8% were of colour, 1.4% were above a size 12 and not one transgender or disabled model was used. Scantilly hope that their continued use of customer role models will hail a new era for diversity within the fashion industry.

Head of PR and Marketing, Hannah Isichei follows, “It’s important for us as a brand to speak to as many women as possible through our campaigns. We know our customers don’t all look the same so why should our models? Why should boudoir lingerie just be reserved for a handful of society? We want women to look at our products and see them on a body they can relate to. Scantilly lingerie is for every woman and every body, so it’s important that our models reflect this attitude.’

Scantilly by Curvy Kate’s third collection will be available from July 2016. The range including peep-hole briefs, sexy suspenders, half cup balcony bras and sheer basques is available in sizes DD-HH cups and S-XL at curvykate.com, Debenhams.com and Figleaves.com. For more information please visit: www.curvykate.com.

Read about Gracie’s Story here.

Social

The post Irish blogger and TV Personality supports that Diversity is the New Sexy. appeared first on Curvy Kate's Blog.

Have a read of our interview with Joanne below and find out more about her here…

What, in your opinion, is #TheNewSexy?

“It’s Diversity and embracing everything. It’s not down to height, gender, colour or size anymore. It’s very much in the past been segregated between ‘this is plus-size’ and ‘this is fashion’ and that was it, there were just those two avenues. I think now the industry is starting to embrace the fact that there so many different shapes and sizes. It’s about embracing what you have and being completely sexy and owning it.”

What’s your greatest achievement?

“My book.”

Why do you think it’s so important that the fashion industry shows diversity?

“With social media at the moment, we’re open to some many different opinions and we have the chance to have a voice through social media. People follow their ‘idols’ for various reasons and it’s so integral that we are promoting a diversified look on things so we aren’t scrolling on feed feeling constantly depressed that you aren’t that ‘standardised’ model , because it’s so unobtainable it can really get in on you mind frame because the comparison starts. So we need to have a diversified feed that we are all subject to, so we all feel represented.”

Do you think Social media is good of bad for people’s self-esteem?

“Both, completely. It’s 50/50. I know how I myself view it, you know if you’re having a really bad day, whether it’s online negativity or seeing something while you’re eating pizza, which makes you feel bad about it then that’s the negative side. It’s bad because everyone it susceptible to comparison, especially women. However the positive side is that the more diverse online content is, you can search for the things you want to follow and surround yourself with positivity. Close your mind to what you don’t want to see.”

What’s the hardest thing you’ve ever had to overcome?

“When I started [blogging] in Ireland, plus-size modelling didn’t really exist. The feeling of constantly being ‘the big one’ – even though I’m not really very big, was quite hard to comprehend. I arrived with confidence and it nearly went the opposite way when I started working because I was always the ‘big girl’. I was always very conscious of it, especially when people used to say things like ‘Oh but you’ve got such a pretty face’ which was hard to deal with. Also there’s the sex appeal side of things, as soon as you have curves you’re immediately penned into that ‘sexy realm’ and women seem to hate you for it rather than celebrate it.

But yeah, the hardest thing career wise that I’ve had to overcome is being completely accepted for what it is I’m trying to promote. It’s been hard as I have to prove my intelligence all the time because you know I post selfies and take photos in my underwear. I’m always fighting to put my personality across and fighting to break the mould that says I’m ‘just a model’, I’m much more than that.”

What’s your favourite attribute?

“My ability to be positive no matter what is going on, I’m quite a strong person. I’ve had hard times, as everyone does, but I never let it affect my work or any other aspects of my life, I always try and utilise negative situations and use them to my advantage.”

Who inspires you most?

“Probably my mum, she’s an incredibly strong woman who raised me by herself, went through a load of crap with men and other things and never let things slide. She was always working , always driven she has ten strings to her bow. She’s always learning and is never idle. I would strive to be as busy and resilient as her.

Who’s your style icon?

“I would say a mix of Olivia Palermo with the figure and original style of Kim Kardashian.”

Do you think the media are finally taking note and representing more people?

“Yes, definitely. I think it’s in media agencies and modelling agencies now and it’s because of social media and digital influencers, they’re seeing that people have an influence and impact on a variety of shapes and sizes and styles.”

When do you feel most sexy?

“When I’m being healthy and happy. Healthy means I’m working hard on myself for myself and happiness just exudes sexiness no matter what you’re wearing or what you’re doing.”

When do you feel most comfortable?

“No make-up, hair in a bun, at home watching Netflix by myself. Just having time with myself and being comfortable in my own company.”

Tell me an interesting fact about you.

“I used to show jump and own a horse? I also once fractured my ankle trying to recreate the ‘Call on me’ video in the gym!”

What advice would you give to your 15 year old self if you knew what you know now?

“Please for the love of god stop worrying! Stop thinking that you are you’re not good enough. When I was 15 I was incredibly thin but had huge boobs and I hated the way men were around them, I hide them away under big baggy clothes and I shouldn’t have done because I had a great figure. Oh and I’d have said stop over plunking your eyebrows and stop trying to be an adult. Be care-free.”

What advice would you give to anyone struggling with self-confidence?

“To please realise that you have one life and one body and if you are absolutely miserable about something then change it because you can. If you wake up one morning and absolutely hate something then change it by doing whatever it takes to do that, or stop worrying about it. It is as simple as those two choices, do something about it or do something about your mind frame.”

What’s your favourite set from the new Scantilly collection?

Joanne: “The neon green set – I love it!”

Thanks to Joanne for taking part in the campaign and our interview. The Classic set that she is showcasing is Fixate – doesn’t she look amazing?! If you want to join the conversation and let us know what you think is the new ‘Sexy’ then Tweet us @CurvyKate using the hashtag #TheNewSexy.

Read the next interview from Gracie….

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The post #TheNewSexy – Joanne’s Story appeared first on Curvy Kate's Blog.

What, in your opinion, is #TheNewSexy?

“The new sexy is confidence –as long as you’re confident then that’s the sexiest thing isn’t it? If you’re comfortable in yourself and can appreciate other confident women then that’s the sexiest thing in the world.”

What’s your greatest achievement?

“I think winning Star in a Bra in 2013, it really catapulted everything into motion for me, it was the summer I graduated and everything happened at once. I’ve managed to meet amazing people and travel and I’ve done all sorts of amazing shoots and been signed by Hughes Models, so it’s been crazy from there really, my confidence has grown and I’m just a more well-rounded person. So yeah that’s my greatest achievement.”

Why do you think it’s so important that the fashion industry shows diversity?

“I think because from a young age both girls and boys are brought up looking at everything that the fashion and beauty industry does, it’s plastered in magazines and on billboards and on the television, it everywhere and they can’t get away from it. So in order to bring up girls and boys in this day and age they need to be exposed to more than one type of person. It should be the norm that we see diversity like we do when you walk down the street.”

Do you think Social media is good of bad for people’s self-esteem?

“Definitely both. I follow girls on Instagram that make me feel shit about myself on a daily basis, it’s a sort of guilty pleasure. However I do think I’m quite realistic when I look at these images but a lot of people aren’t. I’m never going to look like some of those girls regardless of what I do, so I have to find peace with myself and embrace the great things about my body. I have to think, they’re them and I’m me and I have to look and them and just appreciate they are gorgeous women. The only thing that can be detrimental is when people are photo shopping pictures, I always assume people know that women Photoshop their pictures but I don’t think some girls do, especially young ones. They look at Khloe Kardashian and think that’s the way she looks but it’s just not the case and it can be so destructive.”

What’s the hardest thing you’ve ever had to overcome?

“I don’t think you should ever think your problems are any less than anyone else’s. Obviously people go through horrific things but we all have challenges. I guess when I had severe anxiety after my parents got divorced was a pretty tough time. It’s not a physical condition but it still effected my life massively. I learnt loads about myself as it was such a long and painful process and I was really in a bad place and I remember thinking am I ever going to get out of this and feel normal again? I completely forgot what it felt like to think normally, I thought I’d gone completely mad. You just can’t see the end, and you’re mind is the most powerful thing and when you’re in control of your thoughts it’s utterly terrifying. I had therapy, and was on anti-depressants but I just began to generally look after myself and things got better. I learnt what was better for me and I think growing up and going to uni was the thing that really helped. So yeah that was probably the hardest thing I’ve had to overcome.”

What’s your favourite attribute?

“I like to pride myself on being a good person. I like to think I’m a good person anyway. I can be like anyone can; selfish, unreliable – I’m always late!, But I would say I’m the most loyal person you’ll ever meet. I’m really caring, if anything I care too much. I just love people. I get attached really easily. I just try really had to be a good person.”

Who inspires you most?

“Different people inspire me for different parts of my life. It’s hard to pin point just one person. Obviously I look at my mum because who doesn’t find their mum inspiring, she’s so loving and caring but then I look at my dad who has worked non-stop for 30 years to provide for his family and that’s pretty great. My friends inspire me to for different reasons, I think loads of people inspire me, that’s why I surround myself with them.”

Who’s your style icon?

“Mmmm that changes, definitely. I just like anyone who looks great, which I know sounds ridiculous but if I see someone and I just think they look great and I love their style then I’m inspired to try recreate something similar with my own twist.”

Do you think the media are finally taking note and representing more people?

“Yeah, I do, but then again sometimes I think it’s a bit of a token thing. You know like ‘The Undateables’ on Channel  4? I love it but really it’s a show about people who are struggling on the dating scene for whatever reason but really it’s there to make money and entertain people. Sometimes it’s hard to differentiate between things being genuine or people jumping on the bandwagon. You know like when brands tap into the plus size thing, are you doing that to be seen to be doing it or because they really care? You know? I just think it can sometimes be a little disingenuous. All that being said though we are starting to show more diversity in whatever capacity so that can only be a good thing.”

When do you feel most sexy?

“Probably when I’m set. I love having my hair and make-up done and I’m all smooth and I’m just like yeah, I feel good.”

When do you feel most comfortable?

“I love being on my own, I’m really happy being by myself, but on the flip side I’m free comfortable being around people who make me feel at ease, people I can tell anything too. I feel really comfortable around everyone from Curvy Kate because I can just be completely myself and it’s accepted.”

Tell me an interesting fact about you.

“I went on ITV’s Take Me Out and went to Fernando’s!”

What advice would you give to your 15 year old self if you knew what you know now?

“Awww that’s really got me. When I was 15 I started going out with my first serious boyfriend, would probably tell her not to do that for 8 years ha! No, I’d tell her not to be so dependent on someone, have some time alone and that having a boyfriend isn’t as important as you think it is. I don’t regret my relationship as it made me who I am, but you just need to be true yourself and be confident. And do you know what, I was always confident, even at 15, I remember my dentist saying he’d give me a brace to straighten my teeth and I told him I didn’t want one because my teeth made me who I am. As you get older you realise it’s the things that make you different which as the most important.”

What advice would you give to anyone struggling with self-confidence?

“It’s really hard because, well I don’t want to sound like a d**k but I’ve never really struggled with it. I have my ups and downs and some days I feel a bit shit but I’ve never ever been through that feeling, some of my friends have and I appreciate it must be really hard but you just need to try and get yourself to think as much as possible that life is too short. You literally get given what you’re given, you’re born the way you are and you can’t change it (well you can some things) but what’s the point? The earlier and younger you learn to accept yourself then the happier you’re going to be. When you’re 90 you don’t want to look back and think I wasted like 70 years of my life being miserable in my own skin. We’re here for a good time not a long time!”

What’s your favourite set from the new Scantilly collection?

“Ooohh Showtime, the spotty one! It’s so amazing, I love it!”

Thanks to our fabulous resident model Lotte. She shows us the sparkling new Ignite set- doesn’t she look amazing?! If you want to join the conversation and let us know what you think is the new ‘Sexy’ then Tweet us @CurvyKate using the hashtag #TheNewSexy.

Read about, Joanne Larby next, another star from the campaign.

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The post #TheNewSexy – Lotte’s Story appeared first on Curvy Kate's Blog.

Ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes at a Star in a Bra photo-shoot? Well if you have then stick around because you’ll find out all the goss here!

This year’s Star in a Bra competition is a little different to previous years. Where we would usually only have a photo-shoot with the Top 10, this year we opted to have live auditions with a whopping 35 gorgeous women. We thought it was a much nicer process, as we wanted more women to experience the fun of taking part in one of our shoots, along with having their hair and make-up done and getting to take their photos away as a souvenir – what a treat! So below are a few behind the scenes snaps from over our 3 days of shooting, take a peek to find out what we got up to…

Day One: Birmingham

Tinar, Becky, Megan and Vicky all chilling out between shooting

Gavin working his magic on the gorgeous Becky

Delicious ‘Bliss Balls’ from @HappySkinKitchen giving us energy throughout the day!

Hannah sampling the tasty treats on set

Team shot!

We even got mums involved! How cute?!

The Day One Girls <3

Day Two: London

Vivienne and Kelly in Hair and Make-up

More delicious food from @HappySkinKitchen

Lauren showing us that Luxe really does hold up J-cups! Click to Buy.

The Day Two Girls <3

Day Three: London

Hair and Make-up and tasty snacks with Mila

Citelle Rocking Florence Blue

Rochelle looking beautiful in Ellace Latte. Click to buy.

The amazing Hair and Make-up team who look just like a girl band! x

The whole team <3

The Day Three Girls <3

The top 10…. but who will they be?

As you can see all the shoots were amazing fun and the girls who took part made it extra special. We now have the very difficult decision of narrowing the girls down to 10 finalists who will be in with a chance of becoming the next face and body of Curvy Kate. Arrghh how will we choose?!

Let us know who your faves are by tweeting us @CurvyKate and using the hashtag #SIABLive.

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Somehow almost a week has gone by since the Star in a Bra auditions…where has the time gone?! It was so much fun and the girls were all beautiful, I wish we could do these type of events all the time, they are definitely a highlight of the year for us!

Speaking of highlights, a part of the audition process that really sticks in my mind (aside from all the curvalicious girlies) was definitely the food. We asked friend of the brand, Elisa from Happy Skin Kitchen to cook up a storm for our lovely models and Curvy Kate team and boy did she deliver.

Elisa’s food is all about being wholesome, nutritional and most of all tasty. She designed a spread that would be filling for the girls but also not too heavy. Below are images of all of Elisa’s delicious food and her explanations of what was included…

Elisa: So I decided to prepare 2 super salads to go with dairy free pesto grilled chicken and miso glazed roasted salmon.

The first salad is possibly one of my favourite summer dish: Courgetti with a pumpkin and sunflower seeds basil pesto topped with fresh cherry tomatoes. It’s light and fresh, packed with flavours and texture and perfect for a warm summer day.

The second salad is a warm butternut squash with roasted peppers and rocket dish. I love how the sweetness of the butternut squash and peppers goes so well with peppery flavour of the rocket. This salad is also perfect to be eaten by itself as is super filling and satisfying.

For the chicken  and salmon I just kept it very simple (sometimes simple works best, right?) I have roasted them in the oven and I then marinated the chicken in a walnut dairy free pesto and the salmon in a miso and honey glazed.

I also made some hummus as it’s always everyone’s favourite! I went for a spicy turmeric and paprika hummus and avocado and coriander one. Both packed with plantbased protein and healthy fats, they tasted even more amazing combined with the salads.

In my books you can’t have a meal without something sweet at the end and possibly chocolately too! So I decided to make 2 of my favourite sweet treats, raw cacao truffles and my raw crunchy raisin and chocolate bars.

OMG. Look how good it was! It’s making me hungry just looking at all that goodness. It’s super healthy but you don’t feel like you’re missing out on anything, the flavours are just so so yummy. If you’re interested in trying some of these recipes then head of to Elisa’s blog, Happy Skin Kitchen, where she adds unique and nutritional recipes regularly and also check out her Instagram for some of the most beautiful food photos you ever will see.

Lastly, if you’re interested in finding out how to make the ‘Raw Crunchy Raisin and Chocolate Bars’ (pictured above) then watch this space as we’ll be adding this to blog soon. If you like fudgy, chocolately deliciousness then these are definitely for you.

So thanks so much to the lovely Elisa, her food was praised by everyone who ate it and it made the weekend that bit more special.

Big love x

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