Mocking model wins popular vote but doesn't win over American Apparel

Nancy Upton was one of about a thousand women who entered American Apparel's newest contest, but she was probably the ONLY one who entered hoping not to win. 

AA is no stranger to controversy but this time they've opened up a whole new can of worms. The company created a photo contest trying to find "The Next BIG Thing"(which it was conveniently titled) to show off their new "extended sizes." It was geared toward finding a plus-size model, size 12-14, based on votes from visitors. 

Here is part of the description from the contest:

"If you think you’ve got what it takes to be the next XLent model, send us photos of you and your junk to back it up."

Upton, was annoyed by the campaign's tone, feeling as though she was being talked down to for her size. "The puns, the insulting, giggly tones, and the over-used euphemisms for fat that were scattered throughout the campaign’s solicitation began to crystalize an opinion in my mind," Upton said. So she did something about it. Upton recruited a photographer friend, Shannon Skloss to take photos protesting the new contest. The size 12, 24-year-old, uploaded her photos, never expecting to win, just hoping to create awareness. 

She took the pictures to mock the contest and she shares how she would never model for American Apparel on her blog Extra Wiggle Room, dedicated to her journey with AA and aftermath: 

'I most certainly would not model for American Apparel, because (pretty obviously) I don’t agree with their business practices. I also would not expect to be asked to do so, even if I receive a majority of the votes (something I never planned on).'

She goes on to write how she disagrees with the message AA is sending but she respects others opinions.  

Here is Upton's description of the blog:

"MY NAME IS NANCY UPTON. I'M A SIZE 12 AND WANTED TO SHOW AMERICAN APPAREL MY FRESH FACE (AND FULL FIGURE). MY GOOD FRIEND SHANNON SKLOSS CAME OVER TO TAKE SOME "BOOTY-FUL" PHOTOS OF ME...BUT I JUST COULDN'T STOP EATING. 

I CAME IN FIRST PLACE IN THE AA 'NEXT BIG THING' CONTEST, BUT WON'T BE MODELING FOR THE COMPANY ANY TIME SOON."

As the company learned of Upton's antics and her angle on the contest, AA's Iris Alonzo fired back. (Here is a a few pieces of the 7 paragraph letter to show the response)

"It’s a shame that your project attempts to discredit the positive intentions of our challenge based on your personal distaste for our use of light-hearted language, and that “bootylicous” was too much for you to handle. While we may be a bit TOO inspired by Beyoncé, and do have a tendency to occasionally go pun-crazy, we try not to take ourselves too seriously around here. I wonder if you had taken just a moment to imagine that this campaign could actually be well intentioned, and that my team and I are not out to offend and insult women, would you have still behaved in the same way, mocking the confident and excited participants who put themselves out there? " 

"Oh - and regarding winning the contest, while you were clearly the popular choice, we have decided to award the prizes to other contestants that we feel truly exemplify the idea of beauty inside and out, and whom we will be proud to have representing our company."

Trying to take a stand against the contest, Upton's dream became a reality. She has now caused an international discussion, bringing the problem of plus-sized women and the media to a forefront.

Upton has been featured in many publications and news stations including: 

Fashionista
The Frisky
Yahoo News UK and Ireland
AOL UK
The Independent

CNN

ABC

and the list goes on....

While many people are siding with her, there are those who just don't agree and that is why this controversy has become such a heated debate. 

"I feel like I accomplished what I set out to do on a greater scale than I realized I was doing,” Upton said. “I've provoked discussion and promoted awareness about the depiction of plus-size women in the media."

Photos from: http://extrawiggleroom.tumblr.com/

With all the media buzz and controversy that has stirred up, Upton and AA have reached an agreement to fly her and photographer friend Skloss to American Apparel in L.A. They will be able to see what the company is like and she is allowed to write about whatever she sees.

Check her blog for future updates.

Links à la Mode: The IFB Weekly Roundup - featured for The Cat's Meow!

YOU ARE HERE: HOME » UNCATEGORIZED » LINKS À LA MODE: THE IFB WEEKLY ROUNDUP

LINKS À LA MODE: THE IFB WEEKLY ROUNDUP

0 Comments 25 AUGUST 2011

Knock, knock, Who’s there? It’s me September! The month you learn to love and hate… But love more.

That’s right everyone September is right around the corner waiting to knock on your door. As fashion bloggers this gets to be a rather insane month. You run around like crazy from place to place and your schedule may seem never ending. I don’t know about you, but I tend to ask myself… How can I top last September? It’s a month for makeovers! Now before you go grab your friends and have a scene straight out of Clueless, let me clarify what I mean by makeover. I don’t expect you to be only concerned about what you’re wearing but EVERYTHING! I believe September is a great month for change. Refresh your wardrobe, change your writing style up a bit, find different angles to cover shows, go back and look at last September and figure out how to spice things up this year, perhaps it’s time to refresh your gadgets?, change your make-up palette, read new content, simply explore! Change is usually a good thing.

THE IFB WEEKLY ROUNDUP: LINKS À LA MODE: AUG 25TH

• 33 avenue Miquelon: The September Issue – Advertising vs. Content: Vogue 2011
• Clothes: Top 5 Retailer Magazines: Where you can get the best editorial for FREE!
• Cosmolawlitan: The Poignant Legal Issues About Children Fashion Models
• designer purushu: Being a Model is not so Glamorous
• Dramatis Personae: DIY: How to Make a Cork board Jewelry Frame
• Dress Code: High Fashion: Vivienne Westwood and Photographer Jurgen Teller campaign for a Better
• World.
• Fashion. Beauty. Feminism: Letting go of Pretty
• Fashioned by Love: Faces of Fall 2011
• Fashion Isha: You Asked – FASHION-ISHA Answers: Dressing for Your Body Type
• Girl Loves Color: Women Wear the Pants
• Independent Fashion Bloggers: Come to the IFB Conference NYC at Milk Studios, Joe Zee Keynotes
• Kyotomaiko: Notes on readership
• La Rogue: V Magazine is Pro-Choice
• Miss V Viki: Inside Restaurant Artner
• Studded Fantasy: Tangerine Tales
• Stylebizarre: Work from home? Blogging it’s totally not.
• Tickle Me Chic: The Cats Meow
• The Styling Dutchman: What’s Her Face, Dolores Haze: the Humbert Humbert in All of Us.
• The Taxonomy of my Wardrobe: The Creation Of Order.
• The Vintage Traveler: Know Thyself

SPONSOR:

Fashion’s Night Out at Shopbop: Hakaan, Raoul, Dsquared2, Clutches, Parker, Sonia Rykiel, Aiko, Rag & Bone, Ash, Siwy, Bags, MM6, & Rachel Zoe Clothing.

The Cat's Meow

One upside to working in retail is you always get to see the trends of each upcoming season. As co-manager of my store, I am in charge of brand merchandising and right now our focus is animal prints and flare jeans. This fall, everything from shirts, to scarfs, shoes, to accessories, are covered in animal prints, especially leopard. 

Here is a collage of just some of the pieces you might want to have in your closet this fall. Meow. 

Depending on your style, you can do a lot of animal print or just spice up a classic look with a belt on the wild side but either way this fall you should definitely grab at least one piece to stay stylish on your own  catwalk!