Rihanna employed a diverse range of mannequins at her latest Fenty fashion pop-up. AP
Rihanna employed a diverse range of mannequins at her latest Fenty fashion pop-up. AP
Rihanna employed a diverse range of mannequins at her latest Fenty fashion pop-up. AP
Rihanna employed a diverse range of mannequins at her latest Fenty fashion pop-up. AP

Why are we still talking about plus-size fashion like it’s something weird? Rihanna isn't, and she rocks


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It is easy to run out of descriptives when talking about Rihanna. Singer, domestic abuse survivor, make-up entrepreneur, fashion designer, feminist champion and now the world's richest female musician. Not bad for a 31-year-old.

Yet, even with so many titles, none singularly sum up the impact this young Barbadian woman has been having on the world.

She recently announced her new fashion label Fenty (backed by none other than LVMH), but at a recent launch for the line in New York, it was Rihanna’s choice of mannequin that got everyone talking.

Alongside the typically taut and toned plastic dummies, the Umbrella star had picked mannequins that were full chested, curvy hipped, had realistically proportioned waistlines and even a little belly, prompting many to take to social media to express gratitude at seeing a mannequin that reflected their own body shape.

One fan wrote on Twitter, "Here for this mannequin having hip dips and a little pooch,” while another declared: "Wow, this mannequin is shaped like me.”

Rihanna at the launch of her Fenty fashion line in New York. AFP
Rihanna at the launch of her Fenty fashion line in New York. AFP

Another added: "The fact that I’m seeing a mannequin that actually looks like me is amazing. I always thought my body was wrong growing up [because] I never saw an example that looked like me. Thank you, Fenty. thank you, Rihanna.”

Of course, RiRi is already a dab hand at industry disruption. When she launched Fenty Beauty in September 2017, with a range of 40 shades of foundation catering to a wide variety of skin tones, she succeeded in shaming established cosmetic brands for focusing too heavily on the Caucasian market. In the ensuing scrabble, brands leapt to promote and/or launch their own versions for myriad skin tones. RiRi, one. Beauty industry, nil.

How Rihanna is taking on the notoriously sizeist fashion market

In May 2018, Rihanna launched her deliberately inclusive Savage x Fenty lingerie, with bra sizes ranging from 32A to 44DD, and underwear from sizes XS to 3X. The models for the runway show included petite, plus sized, and even pregnant women, such as model Slick Woods, who was in labour during the event (she gave birth to her son 14 hours later.) Suddenly other brands were too promoting plus-sized lingerie lines, and it was 2-0 to Fenty.

Rihanna's Fenty fashion line launch. REUTERS
Rihanna's Fenty fashion line launch. REUTERS

Now Rihanna is taking on the notoriously sizeist fashion market, and interestingly, she is not alone.

Arguably, the only industry more guilty of body discrimination than fashion is sportswear, where only the taut and toned are applauded. Despite endless recommendations that we all need to get out and exercise more, most will agree stepping out in gymwear is a harrowing experience, hammered home by shop dummies and their chiselled abs.

However, sportswear giant Nike is bucking that trend, having recently installed plus-sized mannequins in its London flagship, to showcase its multi-sized workout range. Although the clothing launched back in 2017, it is the newly arrived curvy mannequins that have sparked debate.

Women took to Twitter with comments such as "this Nike mannequin makes me feel so empowered”, and "really digging this plus-size mannequin [reinforcing] that big girls can be athletes too".

Wherever Rihanna leads the rest of us invariably follow

As well as plus-sized options, Nike now also has para-sport mannequins, aimed at not only promoting, but most importantly normalising, different body shapes and trying to break the stereotype of there being only one way to look.

However, there has been a backlash, most notably from journalist Tanya Gold at The Telegraph newspaper, who came out with the following critique of Nike's mannequins.

“Yet the new Nike mannequin is not size 12, which is healthy, or even 16 – a hefty weight, yes, but not one to kill a woman. She is immense, gargantuan, vast. She heaves with fat," her article stated.

“She is, in every measure, obese, and she is not readying herself for a run in her shiny Nike gear. She cannot run. She is, more likely, pre-diabetic and on her way to a hip replacement.”

Nike's London flagship store unveiled plus-size and para-sport mannequins earlier this month. Courtesy Nike
Nike's London flagship store unveiled plus-size and para-sport mannequins earlier this month. Courtesy Nike

Is it that Gold is just used to the UK size 6-8 mannequins so typically favoured by stores, including those selling and promoting active lifestyles? The average British woman today wears a UK size 16 dress, while in America, a UK size 20 is now considered average, meaning we are all closer to the plus-size rather than the stick thin mannequins usually fostered upon us. Meanwhile, Rihanna is open about her own curves, which she has described to British Vogue editor Edward Enninful as "thicc".

"I actually have had the pleasure of a fluctuating body type, where one day I can literally fit into something that is bodycon, and then the next day – the next week – I need something oversize," she explained.

Today, the Italian fashion house Dolce & Gabbana has announced it will be extending its sizing to cater to a fuller figure, making it the first of the major houses to do so. Only time will tell if the others do the same, however, given that wherever Rihanna leads the rest of us invariably follow, this sounds remarkably like three-nil to me.

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'The worst thing you can eat'

Trans fat is typically found in fried and baked goods, but you may be consuming more than you think.

Powdered coffee creamer, microwave popcorn and virtually anything processed with a crust is likely to contain it, as this guide from Mayo Clinic outlines: 

Baked goods - Most cakes, cookies, pie crusts and crackers contain shortening, which is usually made from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Ready-made frosting is another source of trans fat.

Snacks - Potato, corn and tortilla chips often contain trans fat. And while popcorn can be a healthy snack, many types of packaged or microwave popcorn use trans fat to help cook or flavour the popcorn.

Fried food - Foods that require deep frying — french fries, doughnuts and fried chicken — can contain trans fat from the oil used in the cooking process.

Refrigerator dough - Products such as canned biscuits and cinnamon rolls often contain trans fat, as do frozen pizza crusts.

Creamer and margarine - Nondairy coffee creamer and stick margarines also may contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
THE BIO

Born: Mukalla, Yemen, 1979

Education: UAE University, Al Ain

Family: Married with two daughters: Asayel, 7, and Sara, 6

Favourite piece of music: Horse Dance by Naseer Shamma

Favourite book: Science and geology

Favourite place to travel to: Washington DC

Best advice you’ve ever been given: If you have a dream, you have to believe it, then you will see it.

In Search of Mary Shelley: The Girl Who Wrote Frankenstein
By Fiona Sampson
Profile

The biog

Born: High Wycombe, England

Favourite vehicle: One with solid axels

Favourite camping spot: Anywhere I can get to.

Favourite road trip: My first trip to Kazakhstan-Kyrgyzstan. The desert they have over there is different and the language made it a bit more challenging.

Favourite spot in the UAE: Al Dhafra. It’s unique, natural, inaccessible, unspoilt.

((Disclaimer))

The Liechtensteinische Landesbank AG (“Bank”) assumes no liability or guarantee for the accuracy, balance, or completeness of the information in this publication. The content may change at any time due to given circumstances, and the Liechtensteinische Landesbank AG is under no obligation to update information once it has been published. This publication is intended for information purposes only and does not constitute an offer, a recommendation or an invitation by, or on behalf of, Liechtensteinische Landesbank (DIFC Branch), Liechtensteinische Landesbank AG, or any of its group affiliates to make any investments or obtain services. This publication has not been reviewed, disapproved or approved by the United Arab Emirates (“UAE”) Central Bank, Dubai Financial Services Authority (“DFSA”) or any other relevant licensing authorities in the UAE. It may not be relied upon by or distributed to retail clients. Liechtensteinische Landesbank (DIFC Branch) is regulated by the DFSA and this advertorial is intended for Professional Clients (as defined by the DFSA) who have sufficient financial experience and understanding of financial markets, products or transactions and any associated risks.

The specs

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Torque: 275Nm from 2,000-4,000rpm

Transmission: 6-speed auto

Price: from Dh155,000

On sale: now

Analysis

Maros Sefcovic is juggling multiple international trade agreement files, but his message was clear when he spoke to The National on Wednesday.

The EU-UAE bilateral trade deal will be finalised soon, he said. It is in everyone’s interests to do so. Both sides want to move quickly and are in alignment. He said the UAE is a very important partner for the EU. It’s full speed ahead - and with some lofty ambitions - on the road to a free trade agreement. 

We also talked about US-EU tariffs. He answered that both sides need to talk more and more often, but he is prepared to defend Europe's position and said diplomacy should be a guiding principle through the current moment. 

 

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