Fun fact for your day: The plus size fashion movement and body positivity was largely started and is LED by Black women and women of color.
I know not everyone knows about this, so I’m going to link to this resource page, because it does a pretty good job of sharing links to info and history. In fact, TCF’s founder (the incredible Marie Denee) has been at the forefront of diversity and inclusion in fashion for over a decade.
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We Owe Black Women A LOT.
So, all of this is to say: Plus size fashion would not exist without the leadership and dedication of Black women. Therefore, it makes a lot of sense for plus size fashion brands to stand in solidarity with and support Black people.
The TCF team has been seeing plus size fashion brands post solidarity statements and commitments to donate, so we’ve decided to round up whose posting so we know where to shop.
Money is power, period.
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Take a look at these brands and retailers who have made statements, called out the injustices, and who have made pledges to support the community.
7+ Plus Size Brands Post in Solidarity with #BlackLivesMatter
Fashion Brand #1: Plus BKLYN
https://www.instagram.com/p/CA0Tpcug15H/
This is a plus size resale and vintage shop in Brooklyn, New York. From PBK on Instagram:
We wanted to say something meaningful on our feelings about what has been happening in the news as of late but there’s not much to say that hasn’t already been said. We at Plus BKLYN stand with George Floyd and support the Black Lives Matter Movement.
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In solidarity, we will be donating a portion of all sales over the next month to @reclaimtheblock . . The privileged all must act or we are complicit in this oppressive behavior of marginalized communities.
There are many ways to speak up. Petition. Protest. Donate to funds.
Do the work to change the hearts and minds of family members that have oppositional views. We are in this fight together. Sending love to our @plusbklyn community and beyond. ❤️
Fashion Brand #2: Eloquii
https://www.instagram.com/p/CA2sSEpHh4X/
Eloquii was resurrected in part to the one-and-only Marie Denee, founder of The Curvy Fashionista. (Story here.) Her words helped shape the relaunch and gave Eloquii a breakdown and roadmap with her open letter…
From Eloquii on Instagram:
We are angry, we are saddened, we are distraught and our hearts break for the injustices against the Black community. Black Lives Matter. We at TORRID pledge donations to the @NAACP, @ACLU_nationwide and @BlackLivesMatter. We are with you and we will fight for you, always. As Angela Davis said, “It is not enough to be non-racist, we must be anti-racist.”
Fashion Brand #3: Torrid
https://www.instagram.com/p/CA3Ydk4DufK/
From Torrid on Instagram:
We are angry, we are saddened, we are distraught and our hearts break for the injustices against the Black community. Black Lives Matter.
We at TORRID pledge donations to the @NAACP, @ACLU_nationwide and @BlackLivesMatter.
We are with you and we will fight for you, always.
As Angela Davis said, “It is not enough to be non-racist, we must be anti-racist.”
Fashion Brand #4: 11 Honoré
https://www.instagram.com/p/CA3SMFyDGwp/
From 11 Honoré on Instagram:
To take action, please click the link in our bio to make donations to @blklivesmatter and @naacp_ldf ⠀
Fashion Brand #5: BAACAL
https://www.instagram.com/p/CA24Jm4Bh4h/
From BACAAL on Instagram:
This quote is from Nelson Mandela. As a brand, we have been mostly quite during this time because it felt inappropriate as if we were trying to capitalize on tragedy….but I/we can not stay silent.
To all of our bothers and sisters of color, family, daughters, colleagues, employees, Talent, collaborators, strangers, friends, fans and customers— We stand with you, beside you and now we must step in front every time this injustice is served.
Cynthia Vincent founder of BAACAL #blacklivesmatter#ACLU#educateyourself#silenceisviolence
Fashion Brand #6: Copper Union
https://www.instagram.com/p/CA20hEYB0WB/
From Copper Union on Instagram:
“I understand that I benefit from many privileges and I am trying to use them to help others. This is not a time to post things on your stories to look like you care for 24 hours. This is a time to reach out and help. With your money, your voice, your time.
What are you doing for people in your community? What are you doing for others communities from afar?
The world is an awful scary place especially right now for Black folx. Check on your friends they are not ok, ask them what they need.
Do it again next week, next month, this is not just a temporary phase. This is some people’s reality everyday.
Please educate yourself, talk to your friends and family, ask the ‘uncomfortable’ questions, support Black owned businesses, donate funds, stand up for those you love and those you don’t even know. #blacklivesmatter“
Fashion Brand #7: CHROMAT
https://www.instagram.com/p/CAz7gtxjTHI/
From CHROMAT on Instagram:
We can’t celebrate Black #ChromatBABES on the runway without fighting for their lives in the streets. Being Black in america shouldn’t be a death sentence. Swipe ➡️ for protests in Miami + NYC and meet us in the streets to demand #JusticeforGeorgeFloyd#TonyMcdade#BreonnaTaylor#AhmaudArbery#NinaPop because #BlackLivesMatter and #BlackTransLivesMatter these murders demand justice!!
Defund the police.
Shelter for all.
Close the jails.
Join a Black Abolitionist group near you.
Vote- in local elections as well as the big ones. Donate to bail funds like @[email protected] Abolish ICE. Collages by @thatniceblackguy ?
Fashion Brand #7: Cake Plus Size Resale
https://www.instagram.com/p/CAv48zhn0Oe/
From Cake Plus Size Resale on Instagram:
We stand with our community in demanding justice for George Floyd who was murdered this week by police here in South Minneapolis. . . Our love and respect goes out to those protesting and everyone fighting to make a difference.
And, we remember MLK’s words “a riot is the language of the unheard”.
Far too many have gone unheard for far too long. . . The law enforcement system is, unfortunately, operating exactly as it is designed to. We support large scale change to these systems including abolition. . .
Feel free to comment on this post with community resources or places our Cake community should consider donating and supporting. . .
Comments policing or critiquing how Black community members are grieving or calling for justice will be deleted.
Art by @shirien.creates. (Thank you, Shirien!!)
Fashion Brand #8: Alpine Butterfly Swim
https://www.instagram.com/p/CA3OyNpBxSH/
From Alpine Butterfly Swim on Instagram:
Today we donated to BLM Global, please join us and donate, and say it LOUDLY #blacklivesmatter #justiceforgeorgefloyd
Fashion Brand #9: Fat Fancy
https://www.instagram.com/p/CA3R3KMBsuE/
From Fat Fancy on Instagram:
Fat Fancy stands in solidarity with the protesters. Black Live Matter. If you call yourself a feminist and don’t support Black Lives Matter you are not a feminist. I challenge everyone to ask yourselves why you were willing to march for women and not for Black people.
Please educate yourself and google white privilege.
Please please please listen to (and believe) Black people when they talk about their lived experience.
Please be open to challenging racism within yourself and others.
The system is designed to uphold white supremacy and we, as white people, in doing nothing uphold white supremacy. White silence is violence. We have to speak out about police brutality and violence against Black people and we must learn how we can contribute to the justice Black people deserve.
Standing together with the community who has supported us for so long. Black Lives Matter.
These are the few plus size brands, whose statements we have seen, that have pledged to stand in solidarity with Black people, especially now…
Fashion Brand #10: Dia & Co
https://www.instagram.com/p/CA3n9VzDwyE/
From the Dia & Co Instagram:
If you’re hurting right now, we stand with you in your pain.
We stand in solidarity with everyone in our community fighting peacefully for equality, justice and change. This is a responsibility we all share. This cannot continue.
We are horrified and outraged by the death of George Floyd and the continual racial injustice in our country that has taken so many Black lives before him.
It is time to self-examine. It is time to take action and support constructive, demonstrable change. It is on all of us to not let this painful moment pass in vain. We will be working with leaders in our community to determine the most impactful actions Dia can take and we’d love to hear from you as well.
Black Lives Matter.
Love,
Nadia, CEO and Co-Founder
Art via @ohhappydani
Fashion Brand #11: Curvy Couture
https://www.instagram.com/p/CA1Eoj0nemE/
From Curvy Couture on Instagram:
We at Curvy Couture stand for equality, humanity, inclusivity, human rights, and acceptance of everyone.
We cannot ignore what’s happening.
Change your heart, change your home, change humanity. It starts from within. ♥️
Artwork: @ohhappydani
#BlackLivesMatter #Humanity #Equality
It is one thing to CALL it OUT, But What’s Next?
Moving forward, here’s what we expect to see from these brands:
- Ensure diversity of leadership through hiring and promoting Black professionals to the C-Suite.
- Conduct pay parity studies to ensure pay equity and compensation for all staff and contractors.
- Hire Black models and share Black customers to their social media feeds.
- Hire and pay black creatives, professionals, and influencers for campaigns, promotions, and collaborations.
- CALL IT OUT. Especially when you see it. Say something and do not leave the onus to the Black people around you.
Did we miss a business who operates in the plus size space? Please share whose posts and statements you have seen in the comments below so we can update this list.
Looking to support Black owned fashion businesses? Be sure to join the TCF Facebook Group, where Marie regularly shares spotlights on Black-owned brands and Black creatives!!
Beautiful article! Thanks for sharing