SOUTH KOREA: Oversized women confidently strut the latest fashion in South Korea

Large sized South Korean women showcased the latest clothes in Seoul on Saturday (September 23) as they strutted down the catwalk at the 'Big Size' Fashion Show. This is the second year for this one-of-a-kind fashion extravaganza in South Korea where women ferociously strive to be slim and fit. The plastic surgery industry also enjoys a continuous boom with women obsessed with looking perfect. Overweight women are often patronised in South Korea and shopping choices for them are very limited -- fashionable and trendy apparel is rarely manufactured in large sizes, let alone women's casual wear. But the company "Keun Ott" (meaning "big clothes" in Korean) has been a pioneer in targeting this niche market through organising this fashion show. With the success of the 2005 'Big Size' fashion show, shops for oversized women have mushroomed in Seoul to cater to this market. They selected 19 models through an audition-- the models had to be at least a U.S. size 8. Twenty-six-year-old Kwon Ae-jin had waited for this event for a year after she had seen in the 2005 Big Women Fashion Show. Ae-jin's sister Ae-ri said she was impressed to see her as a one-day model. Ae-ri has been a professional model since she had won an award at a beauty pageant. "I am happy to see her doing this. She always helps me backstage for my fashion shows. It's very impressive to see her doing the same thing as me," said Ae-ri. The models come from a variety of backgrounds ranging from college students to office workers and housewives-- they said the clothes and fashion show allowed them to feel feminine, bold, carefree and sexy. "I have gained confidence through this event. I used to be depressed all the time because I was overweight. From now on, I can lead a beautiful life with others through my confidence," said Kwon Ae-jin after the show.

ITN Source | September 29, 2006

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