Durban - There’s a reason Meghan Trainor’s song All About That Bass was such a phenomenal hit – and not just because it’s a really catchy tune.
Women the world over related to the message that being skinny is not all it’s cracked up to be and that, in the real world, perfect bodies are the exception rather than the rule.
While most fashion houses and the mainstream media have yet to catch on to the fact that it’s not normal to be a “stick figure silicon Barbie doll”, there’s definitely a push towards giving real women a voice. From Hollywood to right here at home, the shout out is that it’s cool to embrace your curves.
Durban lingerie boutique Satin Candy is taking it a voluptuous step forward with its search for real South African sisters to showcase its fabulous range of lingerie for all shapes and sizes.
“Satin Candy wants to showcase our bras on the beautifully diverse South African bodies that will wear them,” said owner Sandra Thomas. “We’re inviting gorgeous (and proud of it!) local women to enter and celebrate all things Satin Candy and women.”
Running until June 19, the Real Women Search promises to unveil fresh and fabulous faces – and bods – which will be used in its media advertisements, newsletters, Facebook and the website.
“When I first got involved in this business, I was not aware of just how much of a problem it was finding big-cup size bras,” says Sandra. “I am often told that bra shopping is an unpleasant, tearful experience.
“Young girls, who are tired of wearing ‘ugly’ bras, walk into my shop and are thrilled to find pretty, sexy ones in their sizes. My aim is that every woman should leave Satin Candy feeling uplifted and beautiful.”
The problem is that there’s far more to fitting a bra than there is to slipping on a pair of sexy heels. The right bra makes you look better in your clothes, feel more confident and even helps with medical problems such as back pain.
Comfort and fit are not restricted to bras either, according to Sandra. “We also pride ourselves on our in-house designed sleepwear with built-in support. It is one of our bestsellers.”
For Sandra and her staff, the most interesting thing about the $30-billion (R372bn) global lingerie business is that it didn’t droop during the recession.
Women may have cut back on some luxuries, but underwear wasn’t one – and most countries registered ongoing growth since 2008.
Right now, there is very little information about the South African lingerie “sector” although it is thought to be similar to those in the United Kingdom and America where bras account for about half of the overall market, briefs about 33 percent and corsetry about 10 percent.
Unlike the developed world, however, the local lingerie market is growing as more women are able to afford beautiful, quality underwear which doesn’t look like something Gogo wore.
You can find Satin Candy stores in Kloof at 72 Old Main Road and Durban North at 41 Adelaide Tambo Drive.
* To enter, e-mail your best photos, some full-length in underwear and a close-up face shot, with your name, phone number and address to [email protected]. The deadline is June 19.
Finalists will receive a make-up make-over and be dressed in some gorgeous Satin Candy underwear in preparation for the photo shoot.
No professional models contracted to model agencies should enter. Please note conditions apply and the directors’ decision is final. Once selections are made, a specific contract will be drawn up to protect both parties.
NOTE: as the shoot will be held in Durban, any applicants should be in the Durban area.
Debbie Reynolds, The Mercury