Augustin Kassi began drawing and painting at a young age and later went to Art College. The main medium for his paintings today is oil and water. However, his career did not take off until he was inspired by a chance conversation he overheard. He says: “I was on a small bus when a fat woman climbed aboard and the conductor said ‘madam, you’ll have to pay for two seats.’ I said to myself, madam has to pay for two seats, that’s quite something, but why shouldn’t such women be in my paintings.” Augustin Kassi is now the champion of all categories of ‘fat women’. Augustin is convinced that fat women are victims of fashion, which revolves around thinner or anorexic women. In Africa, the so-called strong woman is synonymous with sensuality as she is well built and comes across as healthy. Augustin Kassi is a popular artist in Europe as well as Africa. Of the present exhibition, one visitor Awa Toure said about the paintings: “They’re pretty and it represents real African women because in Africa when you have one or two children you take on a new form and that’s what the painter shows us in his work.” Another visitor, Axelle Osombo, said: “I think it’s original because we’re used to seeing paintings of landscapes or thin women and it shows the value of large women. I really appreciate it – especially being large and beautiful myself.”

What do you think of these paintings by Augustin Kassi? And incidentally, can I put forward the suggestion that we change the term ‘plus size women’ to ‘strong women’?!

What do we love about her ? Her confidence, her great taste in clothing, and her positive attitude. The fact is, Chastity is not only a great-looking woman : she loves to share her experience, and gives fashion advices to  curvy women and stores. Her advices are such a success she published a Curvy Girl’s Guide to Style in 2010. Get to know more, and read our interview from the plus size blogger Chastity Garner ( garnerstyle.blogspot.com)

Chastity Garner : our exclusive interview

Plus Size Tall : Chastity, you are a real Renaissance woman: you have a blog called The Curvy Girl’s Guide to Style, you have published a book, you offer makeovers and even give advice to stores! How did you get started in the plus size fashion industry?

Chastity Garner : I actually started modeling and it grew from there.  It took me to fall out of a tree and tear my ACL to get out of the modeling part into the blog, book, and styling.  I’m actually glad I did fall out of that tree.  Modeling is not my passion, but styling and helping women is!

Chastity Valentine’s glamorous plus size swimsuit look

The Spanx for men reviews can be found online at the Amazon website (amazon.co.uk/spanx), and we’ve picked out several key items and looked at what’s being said about them.

(l-r) Underworks Mens Microfiber Compression Tank, Underworks Mens Extreme Gynecomastia Chest Binder Girdle T-shirt, Underworks Ultimate Chest Binder Extreme Gynecomastia Tank Top.

Available from Amazon at www.plus-size-tall.com/spanx-amzn, the first of our Spanx for men reviews is for the Underworks Mens Microfiber Compression Tank (£19.99 – £22.99). Invisible under clothing, the compression tank top offers multi-directional stretching which conforms to every curve. It’s made from a synthetic fibre which is 15 times finer than human hair and offers maximum breathability and SPF 50 UV protection.

IndiannaBurns writes that “Seriously, if you are looking at this product it is for the same reason I did. I put off buying one for ages thinking it aint going to work and it will just be a waste of money, but I assure you it wasn’t and after many years of baggy jumpers and extra large shirts I feel I can now wear what I want and my confidence has just flooded back. I feel great. I would recommend this to anyone.”

LondonUser offers “I brought this with mixed feelings as i don’t have a terrible body shape apart from “love handles” and a bit of a belly that i just wanted to be a bit flatter but for £22 i thought it was worth a punt and im impressed! My love handles have totally been held in and my stomachs just the bit flatter that makes me feel so much happier wearing tighter tops in the sunshine. I got a size smaller than my my size ( going by the size guide ) and its tight to get on but because the material is so soft and breathable after 10mins you forget all about it and unlike others i have tried this wasn’t thick and bulkly under a t shirt and wont ride up so 5 stars! delivery was next day for £6 and as always was on times and well packaged.

In summing up if you have a big belly and are expecting a slim look with this then don’t bother but if you just want to smooth down your love handles, your upper chest or front belly this is perfect!”

Matt offers an alternative review, saying that “When I received the vest I was very happy with it, I have very little confidence and it boosted it 100%. You tend to get quite hot with it on but who cares when you have all the confidence in the world. The only thing I am disappointed with though, is only a few weeks after purchasing it I noticed the elastic fibers weren’t holding me in as much as before. After a while it seems to just form around your body shape. 

I think next time I will opt for a more expensive one but it’s ‘OK’ for the money.”

Next in our line of Spanx for men reviews is the Underworks Mens Extreme Gynecomastia Chest Binder Girdle T-shirt (£29.99 – £37.99). Available in a choice of black or white, and up to a 3XL this chest binder offers extreme compression against enlarged men’s breasts.

Forcemaster writes that “This item is an effective means of ‘slimming’ the abdomen and provides relativley comfortable support by ‘binding’ the chest and abdomen. On the 1st day I was asked by a colleague if I had ‘lost weight’, which I had, but because of the way I carry the weight it never looked as though I had… well now it does.

The main advantage of this item is the moisture wicking layer means that even in the busy emergency department in which I work, i remain quite cool and ‘sweat free’ even during the most strenuous tasks (like chest compressions).

Its main drawback is that the underside of the sleeves/in the arm-pit can ‘dig in’ and feel constrictive.

I would recomend this item and though the description of the item is for outer-wear, it is quite effective as a undershirt.”

The Underworks Ultimate Chest Binder Extreme Gynecomastia Tank Top (£32.99 – £37.99) has two full powernet panels throughout the front to provide extra chest and mid-section compression for a full binding effect. Made from a medical grade 70% nylon and 30% spandex knit, the fabric confirms to your body and moves with you.

 Jack Jones reports that “I’m a relatively chunky chap and have had self confidence issues for the majority of my life. The main cause of this is my chest, I’ve suffered with ‘man boobs’ for years and regardless of diets and exercise, my ‘moobs’ seem to be the last place that slims down as I lose weight.

I had no idea these products existed and after buying this particular one, I’m almost angry that I hadn’t discovered it earlier! I’m a 46″ chest and I tried the XL in this product and the same size in the ‘Underworks Mens Extreme Gynecomastia Chest Binder Girdle T-shirt’ for a comparison. Both fit very well and the t-shirt offered a lot of compression. This product (the tank top) however was FAR better. It flattens my chest and smooths my figure, giving me the confidence to wear t-shirts a size smaller.

The tank top is thinner and more breathable and holds everything in perfectly. It is an odd material when you first put on but you get used to it. If you are struggling to decide which product to go with and if it’s chest flattening you’re after, this is the one for you. It has instantly improved my posture as I am no longer hunching my shoulders to hide my ‘man boobs’.

I cannot begin to describe how much this product has changed the way I feel. It has given me the drive and incentive to work hard and lose the weight for real so I can look and feel like this all the time without it.

A solid 5 stars!”

Danny agrees, saying that “Due to my body shape I didn’t have high hopes for anything working but actually this product is surprisingly good and has given me a lot more confidence. It’s long enough to roll the bottom up to just under the arms which gives a double binding effect. I’ve taken to wearing a vest underneath it as this makes it easier to put on, it helps it stay cleaner for a bit longer and is also more comfortable.

As this is my first binder, I have no other similar products to compare it to, but I liked it enough to buy more than one, and considering the improvements it’s made to my confidence I would say it’s well worth the money.”

To see these items for yourself, visit the Amazon website at amazon.co.uk/spanx

Whether you’re looking for a traditional all-in-one swimsuit or something a little different, Fashion Bug (fashionbug.com) has the cut, shape and style which is right for you. We’ve picked out a few of our favourites to get you started thinking about your holiday wardrobe.

(l-r) Pansy Twist-Front Swimdress, Penbrooke Black Cheetah Pet Surplice Swimsuit, Longitude Gilded Lily Side Tie Surplice, Fashionable & Flirty Front Ruffled Bodice Swimsuit.

Our first Fashion Bug pick is the super-cute Pansy Twist-Front Swimdress (£43.83, was £73.06). Available in sizes 16 – 28, pretty pansies make-up the design for the twisting surplice bodice of this adorable empire waist swimdress. Soft foam bra cups create a supportive and flattering fit, whilst powermesh lining helps pull the tummy in for a sleeker silhouette.

The Penbrooke Black Cheetah Pet Surplice Swimsuit (£64.59, was £75.99) is a more traditional style, with a ruched design along the tummy to help define the waist. The Longitude Gilded Lily Side Tie Surplice (£38.96) is a similar shape with a more vivid print, and has the added tie-detail at the side of the waist and a clever asymmetrical colour blocking design.

The Fashionable & Flirty Front Ruffled Bodice Swimsuit by Longitude (38.96) is designed to bring out your inner wild girl! The leopard print pattern is bold and sexy, with a ruffled designed bodice to give the waist a slimmer look. The ruffled v-inset neckline enhances the bustline and draws attention, whilst the tummy control panel and soft moulded shelf bra offer superior comfort, shaping and support.

To view these stunning swimsuits and a vast variety of others, visit the Fashion Bug website at fashionbug.com

But wait, don’t get too excited. Whilst I am very sure OneStopPlus would love to offer a dedicated junior plus size clothing… there is nothing at the end of the tab, at the moment anyway. So do OneStopPlus have any children’s junior plus size clothing? I have scoured the site and come up with some options.

Plus size junior clothing from OneStopPlus USA

The Child’s holiday print knit sleepshirt by Dreams & Co® is an adorable sleep shirt for younger children who want to celebrate the festive season in style (search for ‘child’s’ in the search engine of OneStopPlus). OK, so it may be scorching hot now but think ahead to the fall and grab this bargain. This sleep shirt is in white has a delightful festive print of sugar canes, or alternatively choose the jolly Santa print or snowman print. The shirt has a button henley neck, picot edging and hem slits. This shirt has been reduced to $17.99 in sizes 6/6X, 7/8 10/12. OneStopPlus has several junior plus size sports tops to choose from (search for junior). From Reebok, the Denver Broncos -Navy- Junior’s Speedwick EQT Training Support Tank has been reduced to $21.99. This junior top is available in XXLarge and is great for playing sports in or wearing as a fashion piece. The 12% spandex blend provides cool, comfortable wear with a little stretch for the look and feel you want. This top has been officially licensed by the NFL. And of course, with proms looming on the horizon, OneStopPlus has a great selection of prom dresses to choose from such as the eye catching Sydney‘s Closet Strapless chiffon print gown with A-line skirt. This prom dress has been reduced to $329.00 and is available in sizes 14 to 32. This strapless chiffon dress has a sweetheart neckline and jewel encrusted waist. The print is a bubbly pink which is also available in blue.

Can you find anymore junior plus size clothing at OneStopPlus? Check out the site at www.onestopplus.com.

BrylaneHome (www.plus-size-tall.com/bry-alne) has launched it’s Plus+Size Living original solutions with the aim of making everyday life easier and more comfortable for their overweight customers. With over 400 plus size products in stock, they range from personal care to fitness products with an exclusive collection of oversized chairs proving very popular.

A selection of Plus+Size Living products from BrylaneHome.

All of the products are available at affordable BrylaneHome prices, with some of the items proving indispensable.  The Contour CPAP Compliance Pillow & Accessories (from $39.99) is one such example, with the sleep apnea pillow promoting proper support of the  head, neck an ears and contact-free CPAP, APAP, BPAP use.

Slightly wider and sturdier chairs feature heavily, with the Extra Wide Diamond Tufted Back Office Chair (sale: $179.99) being one such item. Designed with deep button-tufted back cushions and padded armrests, this faux leather office chair swivels, tilts back and looks awesome. More importantly, it is designed to support up to 400-lbs. The Extra Wide Leather-Look Recliner  (sale: $299.99)  is another option for the home, which is a recliner as supportive as it is stylish! Designed to support up to 350lbs, the recliner is lever operated, richly cushioned and features padded arms for comfort and ease.

Other items of note from the BrylaneHome Plus+Size Living solutions range include their oversize-cotton bedspreads which range in price from $20 – $100.  Utility items such as their Extra Wide Wooden Shower Stool (sale: $59.99) look as good as they are practical, and of course the 550-Lb Talking Scale ($59.99) is a must for anyone who’s trying to trim back.

To view all of these products and a vast range of others, visit the BrylaneHome Plus+Size Living solutions website at www.plus-size-tall.com/bry-alne.

Vogue Curvy

Society expects fat girls to cover up on the beach or by the pool. Well not anymore. Fatkini girls are shedding the layers to wear their cutest bikinis and taking photos to post on sites such as such as fatkini tumblr.

One site, Fatkini Riot has a great manifesto clearly outlining the reasons why one should reject society’s expectations of a larger woman on the beach or by the pool:

We claim our bodily autonomy. We keep our naughty bits covered, but that’s about it. So you have a belly. Stretch marks. A funny mole. A scar. So you’ve had kids. So you’re a straight-up fatty, like me. You’ll never be any younger or more gorgeous than you are right now, today, in this very moment. Embrace it.

Well known plus size bloggers are getting behind this movement. Gabi Fresh is inspiring many girls to get out their bikini this summer. She writes:

I truly encourage you guys to get to the beach (or a pool) this summer–don’t let body shame keep you from having a good time! I don’t expect everyone to feel comfortable in a two piece, but hopefully I can inspire some of you to take the plunge. I can’t tell you how freeing it is to just have fun without worrying about what other people think.

Fatkini Girls

Other plus size bloggers are in full support of the Fatkini ideals but err on the side of caution. Queen Sized Flava does not believe everyone can where a bikini. She feels a bikini must fit correctly and that girls should go to the gym to firm up their thighs and butts in order to look their best in a bikini.

My own opinion? If you can, do! What do you think? This seems to be a very American movement. Does the UK need some Fatkini’s?

Tall t shirts for men need not be boring or hip-skimming. BigMandsLand (www.plus-size-tall.com/bigm-clot) offer a huge selection of tall t shirts for men where you choose both the usual clothing size, and whether you want it in a longer length. Perfect for those with a longer torso, we’ve picked out a few of our favourite designs which will get you through the summer in style!

(l-r) Big Mens Bowling Alley T-Shirt, Big Mens Al Capone T-Shirt, Big Mens Campeon Lucha Libre T-Shirt.

Our first pick from BigMansLand is their Big Mens Bowling Alley T-Shirt (from $22.99). Like all of their t-shirts, they come in sizes small – 6XL, with large to 4XL available in a tall option. The graphic can be printed on a variety of t-shirt colours, ranging from the colours below. We love the retro print of this design though – this is one to buy for your boyfriend, and then steal from him to sleep in!

Available t-shirt colours.

Our next pick is the classic Big Mens Al Capone T-Shirt  (from $22.99). Simple and iconic, this t-shirt is a must for any movie buff. We also love the vibrant print of the Big Mens Campeon Lucha Libre T-Shirt (from $22.99), perfect for anyone who’s a fan on Mexican wrestling or just really awesome t-shirt designs!

Whether you’re looking for something to bring out your wild side help improve your posture, FullBeauty (www.plus-size-tall.com/full-beauty) brings you a huge choice of Comfort Choice bras.

(l-r) Comfort Choice® satin trim underwire bra, Wirefree Bra by Comfort Choice® Easy Enhancer®, Reversible Bra by Comfort Choice®.

Our first pick from the selection was the sexy Comfort Choice® satin trim underwire bra ($19.99 – $24.99), which comes in a choice of black, red, rose or nude. The sleek seamless cups are perfect to wear to avoid any lines, and come with a light padding and adjustable cushioned straps for all day comfort. They also have powernet-lined wings which add extra support with back hook and eye closures.

Our next pick is the Wirefree Bra by Comfort Choice® Easy Enhancer® ($24.99 – $29.99) which also comes in a wide assortment of shades, including cherry red and ink blue. This is the perfect bra to encourage better posture and support, with light boning and cross-cross powernet back supports built in. The bra is designed with 2-second cups with polyfill for shaping and support, with cushioned adjustable stretch straps to ensure comfort. Wire-free, the bra has a front hook closure to ensure an easy movement to get the bra on or off.

We have also completely fallen for the charms of the Reversible Bra by Comfort Choice® ($19.99 – $24.99) which cleverly transforms giving you two bras for the price of one. Simply flip it to go from a plain colour to bold print, with a choice of grey animal or rouge floral animal prints. The bra offers a soft, full coverage and is clothing-friendly with it’s seamless and slightly padded design.

To view these Comfort Choice Bras, and a vast selection of others, visit the Full Beauty website at www.plus-size-tall.com/full-beauty.

This got me to thinking. The other day I purchased a Lion Bar and a fresh orange juice. I had it in my head that the Lion Bar would have around 250 calories and the fruit juice no more than 100. I was surprised to find out that the fruit juice in fact had more calories than the Lion Bar just because I imagined the fruit juice to be healthier and therfore thought it would be less. I could have unwittingly consumed over 500 calories just on a snack. Now, I am not calorie counting and consumed the snack anyway but I feel it did highlight the problem of conceived calories in products and how perhaps the Public Health Responsibility Deal calorie reduction pledge could help IF the food and drink industry embraced it.

It was with interest then that I read an article in the Daily Mail: McDonald’s ‘healthy’ fruit soft drink for a child that contains 12 spoonfuls of sugar. McDonalds has lunched a new fizzy drink aimed at children and is promoted as a healthy option. McDonald’s launch of Fruitizz is part of their campaign to introduce healthier food into their children’s range. But is Fruitfizz healthy? McDonald’s said the drink contains no added sugars, artificial colours or flavours and blends 60 per cent fruit juice from grapes, apples and raspberries with natural sparkling water, giving one of the five-a-day portions. Yet a 500ml cup contains 200 calories and 49 grams of sugar, just 1 gram short of a child’s recommended daily allowance! Incidentally, McDonald’s is one of the companies that will not be signing the Public Health Responsibility Deal calorie reduction pledge.

Fruitfizz: a healthy option??

McDonald’s chief executive and president Jill McDonald said: ‘We are thrilled to be unveiling Fruitizz, a refreshing fizzy fruit juice drink that will help parents give children one of their five-a-day.’ Even Children’s Food Campaign spokesman Malcolm Clark said: ‘It’s encouraging to see companies like McDonald’s making it easier for parents to make healthier choices for their children.’ But they aren’t! McDonald’s say Fruitizz is healthy and so that it what we are led to believe without being aware of the true contents. Surely that is wrong? Tam Fry of the National Obesity Forum agrees: ‘For a drink purporting to be healthy having this much sugar is appalling. The danger to children is incredible.’

Knowing the calories and sugar content of a product is not about wanting to loose weight but about being able to make an informed decision about what is being consumed. Yes the information is on the back of the label but on the front of the label is big writing telling us the product is a healthy choice. Should labeling be more transparent with calorie, sugar and fat content on the front of the label? What do you think? And are you concerned that McDonald’s is being allowed to promote Fruitizz as healthy drink when the sugar content is so high?