This Japanese Plus-Size Fashion Magazine Is Breaking Traditions
la Farfa is creating a domino effect.
la Farfa is Japan's first magazine geared specifically to plus-size women.
The magazine wanted to provide more positive representation of bigger girls.
As told to the Japan Times, by Harumi Kon, editor in chief of la Farfa. (source)
The spreads feature styling tips and provide a valuable list of shops that accommodate larger sizes.
The magazine showcases outfits that don't just hide their bodies. Look at these girls rockin' their swimsuits!
They're trying to make the term "marshmallow girls" trending, instead of the offensive term "debu".
There have been a variety of complaints, including one about the correlation of marshmallow with sugary food and unhealthy lifestyles.
Some people were not amused with this term. But their model, Goto Seina, had the perfect reply.
Nevertheless, the reaction to the magazine has been mostly positive.
la Farfa has already celebrated its one-year anniversary.
It even had its first fashion show featuring real-life readers modeling.
The fashion industry definitely took notice. Lingerie line Pocha Kawabura recently launched to accommodate larger cup sizes in Japan.
These are actually cute and are available for cup sizes C–F. View the original Japanese site here.
There's also a new clothing line called Plumprino.
View this photo on Instagram
"Freesize" is very common in Japan, where clothing comes literally ONE size.
Plumprimo is breaking that tradition by offering a range of larger sizes. You can take a look at their store here (in Japanese only).
And Pottya, a plus-size pop idol group, made their debut this past January.
View this photo on Instagram
During a press conference, they said, "We can't be idols if we're not slim? In order to destroy those doubts, us chubby girls came together and formed an idol unit. While aiming to become orthodox idols who can sing and dance, we want to give dreams to chubby girls." (Tokyo Hive)
The magazine has already made waves, but most important, it has given these girls a voice.
You can get it wherever Japanese magazines are sold. But it's SOLD OUT right now on Kinokuniya.
Message them to specially order it for you!
No matter what your opinion is on the "marshmallow girls" term, can we just appreciate a magazine that is promoting confidence in your own skin?
View this photo on Instagram
Fat-shaming and body image problems won't be solved by a magazine. But something as simple as a photo spread, featuring beautiful dresses the reader can actually wear, might help change one girl's outlook.
While la Farfa doesn't represent EVERY size, it's a step in the right direction...
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Especially in Japan, where some fashion magazines have plastic surgery and weight loss ads in the back pages.
Props to the la Farfa team for creating a publication that speaks to an underrepresented group in Japan.
