what defines plus?

2001 People Magazine USA wrote an article entitled "Making It Big- Plus Models Redefine What It Means To Be Beautiful" , establised "plus" model Natalie Lauglin see pic below...made an interesting statement with regards to plus size models in the the industry..

"They'll just be models," she says. "In different sizes. You'll open a magazine and see somebody like Kate Moss on one page and me on another."





...that was in 2001, 8years later is that whats happening? are we seeing this? how far have we come dealing with diverse body ideals in fashion? seems like the two worlds are still very far apart. what makes a plus size model? what defines a plus size model, how big is plus how small is plus.......i define myself as a "plus size model" ... which always leaves me wondering why do i need to place a label on myself, can't i just Teiko Dornor the model, or do i automatically assume that i have to define myself because "regular" models don't look like me....












above r images of plus size models including myself, what do u think....and do u even think its necessary in the industry, have we got past the need to define ....can you see fashion as Natalie did in 2001, Kate on one page Teiko on the next no questions asked....?food for thought!

WE LOVE POP! Katie Grand rocks....

im back...thanks for all the love...updates people!!!!

it saddens my heart. British Fashion magazine POP...oh POP is drawing to an end at its 20th issue, founded by the legend who is Katie Grand, it has been one of the most inspirational things in my life thus far! i cant even decide which was my favourite edition, collectively POP has changed my life, and my perspective on fashion!

In its latest edition! we see Drew Barrymore front, but also a collective of all 20 issues thus far (i bought that one!!) ...Liz Hurley was a personal favourite oh Liz i didnt know she could provoke such a reaction, Naomi is always on point, Lindsey Lohan left me speechless and Gisele was so effortlessly cool...see below...











I must say that what i most admired and loved was the SIRE ZERO photoshoot featuring Beth Ditto, the lead vocalist of rock band Gossip! sheer genius..taken by Steven Klein im leaving some images below, as a plus size model it was actually strange for me flicking though because i found surprising, im just not used to seeing plus size women in mainstream Fashion mags,but i supposed thats y im so inlove with POP..Proenza Schouler, Prada, YSL, Giles Deacon, and Hussein Chalayan all custom made outfits for the shoot..well worth it! she worked it!


many times i find even when plus size models are featured, its often debatable how *plus* the model is to the outside world, and ive heard it time and time again about myself the "u dont look "plus" to me....." blah blah yawn etc.. Beth Ditto broke the boundaries! i love!









In this anniversary issue, also known as the Animal issue, really good read....anyhow .. Cordula Reyer, the amazing Austria model, (she blossoms with time really dont know how she does it)!Is featured in the CAT EYES photoshoot, i couldnt get any pics from POP to post, but i suggest u see for yourself and go buy .... just amazing im glad that a woman who is past 30 is celebrated so well here, she shines! Cordula is part of a initiative intitled "NO BODY IS PERFECT" excuse the copy and paste but i think they sum up their initiative very well..










We ascertain:

Eating disorders are a societal phenomenon of our times. The number of girls and women falling ill with anorexia, bulimia and binge eating disorders is on the rise. Most recently, however, boys and men too are increasingly having to cope with these symptoms.

Unrealistic beauty ideals derived from an exaggerated desire to be slim and young provide a perfect breeding ground for eating disorders. The fashion world, industry and business communicate unhealthy medial “examples” propagating extreme thinness and physical aesthetics linked with recognition, success, happiness and self-esteem. All of this may have serious consequences.

The Initiative’s Objectives:

Unrealistic - and thus unhealthy - ideals for women are to be corrected, while health-promoting standards are to be established through concerted action and close cooperation on the part of the media, advertising, business, industry and the fashion world.


i almost feel like i might be done for plagarism! lol for more information go to www.s-o-ess.at go to English! and join the petition. i did! its great to see governement and other members of the fashion world doing something constructive about the messages that are sent out through the industry,



We hope for the consent of all those who can influence society’s good examples in a positive and health-promoting way (advertising, industry, business, the media, fashion producers, fashion designers, modelling agencies, photographers, stylists and others).



Beate Wimmer-Puchinger
Commissioner for Women’s Health, City of Vienna

im leaving u with more images from POP ;-)







A FEW OF MY FAVS....










its like a drug i tell ya ;-)...ciao x

no one on the corner has swagger like us....

im sneezing and listening to mia...i'll get well soon then ILL BE BACK!!!

"Everything that had happened was shockingly beautiful, enough to make you crazy."

its the 3rd day of 2009,i think im going to be counting till at least the end of the month, im not sure if i think by announcing this it will help me utilise every single second of 09 but...

i spent the day in bed, reading and day dreaming- two of my favourite pastimes might i add....i finished reading Asleep by Banana Yoshimoto, i loved it and it was perfectly surreal, "Everything that had happened was shockingly beautiful, enough to make you crazy" ... she deals with some amazing concepts, love, dependency, connection and habit...no nec what the dr ordered immediately post break up Teiko but i loved every second..and it reminded me of the beauty of love all over again...




love Banana Y!

Amel was singin to me in the background.one of my favourite songs "if i was a bell" from "lovely standards" ....on repeat..amazing artist, its been such a wonderful day, time to think and explore.





Ask me how do I feel, now that we're cozy and clinging
Well sir, all I can say is if I were a bell I'd be ringing
From the moment we kissed tonight
That's the way I've just gotta behave
Boy, if I were a lamp I'd light or if I were a banner I'd wave

Ask me how do I feel, little me with my quiet upbringing
Well sir, all I can say is if I were a gate I'd be swinging
And if I were a watch I'd start popping my springs
Well, and if I were a bell I'd go ding dong, ding dong ding

Ask me how do I feel from this chemistry lesson, I'm learning
Well sir, all I can say, if I were a bridge I'd be burning
Yes, I knew my moral would crack
From the wonderful way that you looked
Boy, if I were a duck I'd quack or if I were a goose I'd be cooked

Ask me how do I feel, now that we're finally caressing
Pal, if I were a salad I know I'd be splashing my dressing
Or if I were a season, I'd surely be spring
Yes, or if I were a bell I'd go ding dong, ding dong ding

************************************************************************************
i spent the rest of the day thinkin lingerie, plus size of course, im an 30G which has proved problematic in the past... and its soooooo refreshing that there are so many other companies that stock *beautiful* *alluring* and *sultry* underwear that flatter curves rather than act as a total turn off...more on that next week...i'll definately be looking at the brands available...have a fantabulous weekend xxx

from this...



to this...



its always good to have options!! ;-) woorrrrrk it!

Sophie Dahl is one of my favorite plus size models of all time! although her weight has dropped significantly she continues to inspire me.

Discovered by acclaimed Vogue magazine stylist Isabella Blow,she has featured in magazines such as Elle, Harper's Bazaar, Marie Claire and the British, Italian and American versions of Vogue.

Fierce, confident and effortlessly chic. It is of course the beginning of the new year, i have extremely high expectations career wise and its always nice to remember models that have paved the way! again, have a happy new year and stay determined!









x

MIMI Magazine Feature

Happy New Year...! May 09 bring love, joy and success...stay determined!


The first time i was featured in MiMi magazine was in 06' right at the start of my career...



2years later, i share the cover with Matthew Mensah, i met him last year www.mimimagazine.com for the whole feature.

"Ghanaian stars Matthew Mensah (the entrepreneur/humanitarian behind Catwalk the World, among other important causes) and Teiko Dornor (the influential model who has advocated for positive change in the community through the diverse projects that she supports) appear on MIMI's September 2008 issue, Dream Big. Many talented people came together to bring this exclusive cover to life: the photography is by Dafydd Dill of Daffodil Photography (www.daffodilphotography.com); the makeup is by Vanessa Collins (www.vanessa-collins.com); the fashion styling is by Marian Kihogo of THE HOUSE OF STYLE (www.thehouseofstyle.co.uk); and the jewelry was provided by What's About Town (www.whatsabouttown.com)


Im posting some shots from behind the scenes...