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In a recent survey, 98% of British women stated that they hate their bodies.
Britain has become a fattist society, reinforced every day by images of stick-thin models whose shape bears no resemblance to the average British woman. But a provocative backlash is underway in the United States. There, plus-size beauty pageants catering especially for fat women have begun to celebrate flesh and curves.
Having been told that she's unlikely to find work, even as a plus-size model, unless she drops to a size 16, size 18 model Charlotte Coyle has decided to organise a similar event in the heart of London's West End, to challenge the notion that only skinny women can be attractive.
Britain has become a fattist society, reinforced every day by images of stick-thin models whose shape bears no resemblance to the average British woman. But a provocative backlash is underway in the United States. There, plus-size beauty pageants catering especially for fat women have begun to celebrate flesh and curves.
Having been told that she's unlikely to find work, even as a plus-size model, unless she drops to a size 16, size 18 model Charlotte Coyle has decided to organise a similar event in the heart of London's West End, to challenge the notion that only skinny women can be attractive.
Charlotte auditions hundreds of women, who confess how they feel about their size; and emotions run high when she has to select 12 to go through to the next round. But will these 12 be able to overcome their nerves and complete lack of catwalk experience? Can Charlotte convince anyone in the fashion industry to sponsor her plus-size event? Can she sell all her tickets? And will she be able to overcome her own inexperience and organise the whole event in time?
To get experience of plus-size beauty pageants, she travels to the USA, where she takes part in an event herself. There the competitors' positive attitude about their big bodies comes as a revelation to Charlotte.
But back home her contestants' excitement is tinged with nerves. Emotions run high when Charlotte organises a training weekend, where it becomes clear that "her girls" are currently too self-conscious and insecure to model on the catwalk. And how do they react when she tells them they'll all be parading in corsets in front of an audience of hundreds?
Nerves remain right up to the chaotic behind-schedule dress rehearsal, as the doors to the venue are about to open. Can Charlotte and her contestants pull off the biggest challenge of their lives?
But back home her contestants' excitement is tinged with nerves. Emotions run high when Charlotte organises a training weekend, where it becomes clear that "her girls" are currently too self-conscious and insecure to model on the catwalk. And how do they react when she tells them they'll all be parading in corsets in front of an audience of hundreds?
Nerves remain right up to the chaotic behind-schedule dress rehearsal, as the doors to the venue are about to open. Can Charlotte and her contestants pull off the biggest challenge of their lives?
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