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ALYSSE DALESSANDRO IS a fashion designer behind the “body positive apparel and accessory brand” Ready To Stare.
The brand’s ethos is simple: throw rules about what is and isn’t “flattering” out the window and wear whatever the hell you like.
Ready to Stare believes in fashion as an act of empowerment and the name itself was inspired by designer Alysse Dalessandro’s own experience being fat shamed, harassed, cat-called and bullied for the way she dressed. Dalessandro wanted to create a brand that treated clothing and accessories as armor that makes you ready to face the stares and policing that come when you dress for yourself instead of following so-called rules of fashion.
Dalessandro recently launched her Christmas collection and one item in particular sparked a discussion online: this “cupcake dress”. It led to a major discussion online this week about plus-sized fashion.
The dress was shared on Plus Model Magazine’s Instagram and some commenters immediately dismissed it as being unflattering.
Here is a small sampling of some of the comments…
Dalessandro called out her critics on Twitter.
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And wrote an impassioned piece about the myriad reactions, good and bad, to the dress.
Let’s be clear that the design of this dress was intentional. It was designed to be both a dress that I personally really wanted to wear and also as a dress that makes a statement against the idea that plus size women can only wear things that are deemed ‘flattering’ by society’s standards. Fashion is not a privilege. Fashion is for everyone.
She also explained why she believes that the word “flattering” needs to be removed from discussions about fashion.
Flattering implies that someone is actively looking less fat than they actually are because being fat is bad. But as an activist who works to dismantle the idea being fat equates to being bad, flattering is one way that we continue to de-value fat bodies.
More than anything, however, she explained that she wants plus size women to have the same options as other women.
And my inspiration for this cupcake dress was Rihanna’s Grammy dress. I remember her getting mixed reactions when she wore it too but overall it was positive and I certainly don’t remember anyone trying to fire the designer or say that she was setting fashion back. If this dress is viewed simply as a bold choice in straight size fashion then plus size fashion shouldn’t be subject to a different set of standards.
And, as she pointed out, fat bodies shouldn’t be disguised as there’s nothing wrong with them.
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The whole thing has prompted a discussion online about plus size fashion and its “rules”.
Writing for Dazed and Confused, Bethany Rutter wrote that plus size fashion has become a “joyless enterprise”.
It’s a sorry state of affairs that fashion, that’s meant to be fun, experimental and a way for people to express their personality, has, for fat women, become merely an exercise in (self-)deception. Instead of saying “what do I want to wear today?” or “What excites me?” the question is “How do I most efficiently pretend my body is what it’s not?” It’s a joyless enterprise, and fat women deserve better.
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@readytostare f*ck flattering is my life motto, I love your dress/skirt and it looks amazing on you babe, you're awesome ♡
On Thursday, Dalessandro wrote, “We won’t move forward in plus fashion unless we stop letting clothes have the power to control how we feel about our bodies.”
You have the same body in whatever you wear so you sure as hell better wear what you love.
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Preach, sister.
Written by Amy O’Connor and posted on DailyEdge.ie
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@Stephen Murphy: In the west, we get to see both sides and make up our mind what’s really happening. In Russia, there is only the line that they are on a liberation mission to free Ukraine from fascists. It is pretty clear that Russia’s line is – as Trump would call it – using alternative facts.
Brave are the journalists who enter those conflict zones to ensure truth and evidence is sought for the rest of us armchair critics. Well done Dan. Condolences to your family and friends. May you Rest In Peace.
@Niall O’Reilly: yes it’s very sad. Everyone is at risk in a war zone. I remember also the journalists machine gunned by the American attack helicopter during the illegal occupation of Iraq. If I recall correctly they then shot up a van with kids inside who tried to help the gunned down journalists. I think it’s always important to remember that it is the dehumanising of other people that makes it easier for soldiers to kill them and also that killing can be done far beyond the range that a press badge can be seen.
@Ivan Connolly: That clip is still available on YouTube but the journalist who exposed the crime is in a British prison on orders from the US, without charge or trial – Julian Assange.
@Willie Penwright: indeed which I think emphasises Stephen Murphys comment above which now seems to have been removed. It appears only one point of view is allowed here as well as Russia. But his comment was correct. Propaganda exists on all sides as do atrocities committed against civilian populations but for the most part the western media doesn’t seem to call those committed by the west, war crimes. The reality is that all powerful countries do as they want and as far as they are concerned, might is right and their respective media only ever see their side as righteous and the other as war criminals.
Such a handsome guy to have his life taken away by the Russian enemy….. RIP Brett, And condolences to his family and friends back home in the states who will be mourning his tragic death.
@Genera L Consensus: tell them to stay out of a warzone! He wasn’t there in an official capacity so there is more to this story than any of us will ever know.
This is absolutely not a black and white, good vs evil situation.
@Genera L Consensus: They’ve tried to protect them already by suggesting they leave/do not travel to Ukraine. War corresponding is a dangerous gig, it’s why these guys get paid big bucks. One oddity in the story is that he was employed by NYT, was wearing NYT I.D. badge, but NYT were very quick to point out he wasn’t in Ukraine on NYT’s behalf.
@Tommy Roche: im sure there is insurance on these guys, when on assignment, could be a reason to say out loud not on assignment, so no insurance payout. Or they are scared of Putin.
@Dan Broderick: Awful, rest in peace. Just couldnt do a simple RIP no? Another tin foiler convinced there’s something more when there’s not. Disgraceful.
@trebloc01: NATO hasn’t been attacked so why would it get involved in someon else’s war? Russia are struggling to take Ukraine there is no chance Putin is looking at his militaries performance in Ukraine and thinking of attacking any NATO state. So stop talking cr ap
@trebloc01: the war in Afghanistan will look small in comparison to would could happen.
And no NATO and the USA not are weak.
They will defend every inch of NATO territory and destroy Russia in a day, considering Russia is having a very difficult time against a vastly inferior military.
@trebloc01: half of those countries are NATO. The minute Russia sets foot in any NATO country their military will be torn to shreds. Ukraine are making a good fist of it by themselves but if Russia take on NATO directly they’ll be obliterated. Their only option will be nukes. Even then, they’ll be destroyed. I have no doubt there are people in the kremlin preparing to take Putin out should he show signs of moving in that direction.
@trebloc01: They weren’t wearing their Nato ensignia during the war on Afghanistan. That was an openly US operation. The Europeans were just there for a bit of training and sales opportunities for their arms industries.
Hate to be the one to say this but I will. I told you all so when Russia was building up its force on the Russian border that this was about to happen. Russia has pretty much used up the resources of its army on this little experiment and as long as it doesn’t get replenished from China. I’m convinced that China may take this opportunity to attack Russia on its eastern side. If Putin isn’t careful he could loose his Pacific sea access!
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