One of the challenges the plus size community has faced for years is proper representation when it comes to brands and the companies with whom we choose to spend our money. Several retailers have expanded their offerings for plus in the past few years. It seems that while major strides have been made with the number of plus size offerings that have become available over the years, some retailers are still missing the mark when it comes to what actually matters to their customers.  

What will it look like on ME or a body that looks like MINE?

Plus size shoppers, like anyone else, want to see what clothing will look like on bodies that resemble their own. When a brand boasts offerings up to a size 26, but only use models that stop at a size 16/18, that feels a bit disingenuous. It sends the message that larger bodies are good enough to give a brand their money, but not good enough to be represented in their ad campaigns or on their social media platforms.

On this week's episode of The Thickening, Toni, Danni and a few special guests, tackle this issue head on! Plus size influencers Saucye West, Marcy Cruz, and Marie Denee drop in to discuss The ROI (return on investment) of Representation. A discussion on brands that cater to the plus size demographic and what they are doing right and wrong.   

TOPICS

Where do the Brand's bottom line and the consumers wants and needs intersect?

Many brands fall short of giving the plus size community what we want or what we need. They even fall short of defining their stance and position when it comes to the needs and wants of their plus size consumers.  What can they do to better serve their customers?

As customers we often share feedback with brands via social media, videos, and email. More often than not, it seems as though our voices are not being heard. What steps could brands take to show their customers that they are listening to our wants and needs?

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TheThickeningPod 

Toni (Co-Host) 

Danni (Co-Host)

Mickey Leon (Producer)

Marie Denee (Creator Of The Curvy Fashionista)

The Curvy Fashionista 

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Happy Thanksgiving!

This week on The Thickening, Toni & Danni discuss a few of the week’s hottest topics.    2019s Best New Artist, Summer Walker, released a new album and it has the relationship/breakup streets in an uproar!  Still Over It dives deep into her personal  relationship woes with producer London on da Track, while simultaneously echoing the sentiments of many women who have found themselves in similar relationship situations.   

Grammy Winner Megan Thee Stallion recently released a collection of freestyles titled Something for Thee Hotties: From Thee Archives.  The project features some fan favorite freestyles as well as a few previously unreleased tracks from the Hot Girl.  

Toni and Danni also touch on the tragedy that took place during Travis Scott’s Astroworld Festival.  An event that left 8 dead and many others injured after an out of control “crowd surge”  in Houston Texas.  Details surrounding this calamity are still unfolding.  Multiple lawsuits and possible criminal charges are expected to follow in the very near future.  

Lastly, the holidays are right around the corner! Coming off the heels of Halloween, are you the type of person to skip Thanksgiving and go right to Christmaas? Listen now to find out how Danni and Toni celebrate the Holiday Season! 

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TheThickeningPod 

Toni  (Co-Host) 

Danni (Co-Host)

Mickey Leon (Producer)

Marie Denee (Creator Of The Curvy Fashionista)

The Curvy Fashionista 

Halloween is one of our favorite “holidays!”  It’s a time for candy, parties, trick or treating, haunted houses, and most of all, a time to dress up as some of our favorite characters!  

On this week’s episode of The Thickening, Toni and Danni recap their favorite Halloween looks from a few big name IG influencers and celebrities. 

Lizzo, one of our favorite singers and performers, dressed up as Grogu (A.K.A. Baby Yoda) from Disney’s The Mandalorian!  

Teyana Taylor “slayed”  Halloween as Marvel supervillinaess Madam Slay! 

As to be expected this year, with the release of Disney’s Cruella, many celebrities and influencers decided to put their own spin on the classic character.  One such influencer was none other than Nzinga Imani.  Her take on the fashionable villain was classic, subtle, and sexy all at the same time.  

In addition to all of the Halloween costume fun, the ladies touch on Will Smith’s new upcoming YouTube Original, “Best Shape Of My Life.” 

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TheThickeningPod 

Toni  (Co-Host) 

Danni (Co-Host)

Mickey Leon (Producer)

Marie Denee (Creator Of The Curvy Fashionista)

The Curvy Fashionista 

Need to Catch Up? Check out Episode 8!

Do fat people have sex? How do fat people have sex? Do fat people take their clothes off when they have sex? These are questions and things that are wondered about by non-fat people. The “mysteries” of fat sex often baffle people who’ve never had the experience first hand.

YES! Fat people have sex! (Quite often for many of us actually). Fat people have sex with the lights on. Fat people take their clothes off. Fat people have sex like anyone else! True enough, there may be some minor adjustments that have to be made based on body type and size, but fat people absolutely have and enjoy sex just like anyone else! 

This week on The Thickening, Danni & Toni discuss “Sex While Fat!” What are the best positions, best toys, and best music to play in order to get into the mood? Check out the ladies as they get deep into this episode! 

Episode Highlights

• Fat lingerie
• How do you teach people how to take care of you during sex? 
• Tips for riding 
• Favorite position  
• Favorite toy, do you use toys in the bedroom 
• Being FULLY naked during sex 
• Being manhandled vs being dominated 
• How do you navigate when partners attribute masculinity or roughness to you because you’re bigger (internalized: when fat people say “oh im a big girl you sure you can handle this) 

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TheThickeningPod 

Toni (Co-Host) 

Danni (Co-Host)

Mickey Leon (Producer)

Marie Denee (Creator Of The Curvy Fashionista)

The Curvy Fashionista 

Need to Catch Up? Check out Episode 7!

Melissa Viviane Jefferson, better known by her stage name, Lizzo, broke the internet with her latest party outfit! Lizzo attended a Caribbean carnival themed birthday party for rapper Cardi B, and the internet had a whole lot to say!

As usual, Lizzo and her outfit selections always bring about hot topics of discussion. Talks about what is appropriate for a plus size woman to wear and how much skin she should show are always hotly debated subjects when it comes to Lizzo or any other plus size woman who dares to defy the “norms.” 

Why is Lizzo’s confidence such a polarizing topic? Get into the THICK of it with Toni & Danni!   

This week on The Thickening, Danni and Toni discuss The Savage X Fenty Vol 3. Fashion Show, Yung Baby Tate, & Netflix’s casting of Mary Fields, better known as Stagecoach Mary, in their upcoming film “The Harder They Fall.” Being “size inclusive” in fashion, body shaming of black female celebrities and public figures, colorism in television and movies, and the overall exclusion of actual plus size bodies in the entertainment world are topics that trigger lots of emotion.  

In the ever changing landscape of pop culture, plus size bodies are still very underrepresented. While the emergence of performers such as lizzo and actresses such as Wunmi Mosaku are awesome, there is still a lack of true and authentic representation when it comes to mainstream entertainment. It seems as though the powers that be would rather have a smaller actress don a fat suit to play a plus size person, rather than cast an actual plus size person for the role. (I.E. Sarah Paulson portrays Linda Tripp in the FX series "Impeachment: American Crime Story.") What is the reasoning behind this? Do producers and creators believe that casting actual plus size people in roles written for us, would be a form of rewarding “bad behavior?” The “bad behavior” being, existing while fat of course. Join Toni & Danni this week as they break down these topics and many more! 

Stay up to date on The Thickening and more at www.Thecurvyfashionista.com

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TheThickeningPod 

Toni (Co-Host) 

Danni (Co-Host)

Mickey Leon (Producer)

Marie Denee (Creator Of The Curvy Fashionista)

The Curvy Fashionista 

At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, many people were forced to cancel travel plans across the country and across the world.  Now that restrictions have relaxed, travel around the country and throughout the world has resumed.  Traveling while fat is something that every plus size person is faced with at one point or another.  We become very aware of how much space we take up when we have to board a flight, a bus, a train, or any mode of public transportation.  

We endure the dirty looks, the subtle  comments and the not so subtle comments.  We are often treated differently by flight attendants and other staff members.  We make an extra effort to try and shrink ourselves, as to not take up extra space in those types of settings.  This often comes at the expense of our own comfort and even our own well being.  It can be a very stressful and upsetting situation  when it comes to travel.  On this episode of The Thickening, Danni and Toni explore the feelings and experiences associated with being plus size women who love to travel.  Come on and join the conversation.     

Traveling While Fat

Episode 5 Highlights  

• Weight limits on airlines
• How to pack clothes and make plus size clothes fit? 
• Seat belt extenders; feelings regarding the use of them, how flight attendants approach plus size passengers, and how passengers feel when others see them in use. 
• Anxiety around sitting next to people 
• Which airlines are more comfortable for plus size people?
• Seatbelt extender from amazon
• Southwest Customer Of Size Policy 

Produced by Mickey Leon & Armstrong Media Company

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TheThickeningPod 

Toni (Co-Host) 

Danni (Co-Host)

Mickey Leon (Producer)

Marie Denee (Creator Of The Curvy Fashionista)

The Curvy Fashionista 

In this episode of The Thickening, Danni & Toni discuss what it’s like to be the fat friend amongst their group of friends. They explore the importance of being confident in who you are and having supportive friends in your circle. Join the ladies for this week’s episode, Fat with My Homegirls!