Exclusive: 'Big Sexy' Features Real Plus-Size Women In Fashion World (VIDEO)

They're not strutting the major New York Fashion Week runways... yet. But plus-size fashionistas are becoming more and more accepted, scoring magazine covers and ad campaigns.

And reality shows. Ahead of MTV's new "Chelsea Settles" (October 11), TLC will premiere the final part of the three-part "Big Sexy" series tonight at 10/9c.

The show features five plus-size friends -- Tiffany, Nikki, Heather, Leslie and Audrey -- living in NYC and working in fashion as stylists, makeup artists and models. In the final segment of the series, the women travel to Miami for a photo shoot for Heather's new swimsuit line, "Heather Feather: bikinis and bras for busty broads." Nikki agrees to model for the shoot, although wavers when faced with her first on-camera bikini experience.

The show has been alternatively praised and criticized, for both presenting plus-size women as beautiful and stylish but also showing plus-size women who don't get angry enough when subject to blatant bias.

Take a look at the exclusive trailer for the episode below, which has the pretty awesome tagline, "Once you go big, you never go twig!" Will you watch tonight?

WATCH:

Comments

[Tbaby Simpson]

12:35 AM on 09/22/2011

Some of you on here that critisize those of us who are overweight are no better than bullies in the schoolyard and who make kids feel like they are nothing..Im happy this show is on, because it shows that not everyone is a size 0. I would never want to be skinny. I like my curves thank you very much, We are beautiful on the inside and out.

[Rachelvis]

11:45 AM on 09/15/2011

I saw one episode of this while I was doing my hair and was too lazy to change the channel. What an AWFUL show. None of them are attractive.

[Conk]

08:53 AM on 09/15/2011

No matter how you candy coat it, these women are unhealthy. And they kid themselves that they are content with being overweight.

[hollace]

01:39 AM on 09/15/2011

I just happened to see a bit of their show yesterday and found myself wishing I had never made any broadbrush statements about people I consider overweight. These girls are the nicest kids and actually why shouldn't the people who buy the clothes promote them. God knows the designers think the very same thing about the rest of us. Everything to do with Runways screams size 10! ...uggghhh!!! not you!!!

[Erin Flynn]

05:33 PM on 09/14/2011

We were lucky enough to chat it up with the star of Big Sexy, Tiffany Bank, on www.realitychicblog.com . She discusses what it's like to be called "plus-size", the bias, and the haters.

[BeBop33]

10:06 AM on 09/14/2011

shouldn't this be "Real Wife Houses of NYC"?...

by all means, let's glorify obesity...what could go wrong?...

[yellowberry]

09:18 PM on 09/13/2011

i thought they were going to use my suggestion for a title: "big nasty".

[sage91501]

07:50 PM on 09/13/2011

ok this is just disgusting. Goes to show they will give anyone a show, but we already knew that, sorry snooks. Seeing a bunch of overweight women acting like what was in the previews is just wrong. They are making fools out of themselves & the world will be laughing! Out loud too!

[ecurbwl]

07:18 PM on 09/13/2011

In my opinion, I don't think men want to see "plus size" models. In fact, I'm not sure women are ready to embrace "plus size" models walking down the runway. Women, want to see a shapely, thin, size 0 to 2 model walking the "cat walk" to fantasize what they could look like in that outfit. They do not want to see a heavy model walking the runway in a piece of clothing. It goes along with asking your husband "do these jeans make me look fat" ??? You don't want to hear----yes they do make you look fat. You expect to hear----No they look great! ! ! So, for the "Big Sexy" program, I'm afraid the truth is, your days are numbered.

[kymuffn]

07:53 PM on 09/13/2011

Good thing your opinion isn't the one that counts. Plus size women want to see plus size clothes on plus size women. It is very hard for plus size women to buy clothes that are only modeled on skinny women. I want to see what that dress would look like on a woman my size, not someone with nothing but bones.

[yellowberry]

09:21 PM on 09/13/2011

been to fashion week yet? you might be dissapointed by what you see there.

[ecurbwl]

12:35 PM on 09/18/2011

I'll give this show 6 weeks and it will be cancelled. As much as i hate to say it, men and women do not want to see plus sized women (or men) modeling their clothes or going down the runway. I totally agree that women want to see what clothes look like on themselves whether plus size or skinny but, given the choice, most (not all) plus sized womwn would prefer to be skinny or smaller instead of fantasizing about what they would look like. It follows that saying" you can never be too rich or too skinny.

[dovelove]

10:55 PM on 09/13/2011

Who is "shapely" at a size 0?

[gloriaswanson43]

01:30 PM on 09/14/2011

If shapely means curves, then I was. They were small curves but they were there.

[AnnVictoria Hanson]

12:09 PM on 09/26/2011

I saw a gorgeous curvy size 0 girl yesterday at the health expo. Been to one? I'm not bullying overweight women, but don't say that it's healthy. Educate yourself about the body. Our food supply is contaminated with processed foods, HFCS has infiltrated everything, you have to make better and smarter choices if you want health. If you don't care, fine, but don't burden the public with your healthcare bills. It is simply not normal to be heavy and obese so if you are, figure it out. Hormones, thyroid, bad food, no exercise, you will find the answer if you seek it.

[RobTheBl0gger]

07:07 PM on 09/13/2011

There's nothing sexy about a blubberbody. Real women have curves; not rolls.

[AudreyLee]

06:37 PM on 09/13/2011

When you post your picture on your profile, then you can be a hater.

[Femi Fatale]

07:28 PM on 09/13/2011

RobTheBl0gger--

he he he (??) If looks are any indication of one's worth as a person, I truly hope you don't look as creepy as your statement makes you look. You might not want these plus-size women, but I'm pretty sure any of them can do better than you, and with their obvious self-esteem -- they'd want to!

[intrusion]

09:45 PM on 09/13/2011

Wow Huff this guy just threatened this woman and you posted this? trust and believe I will be blogging this one because you pick and choose what goes up and you chose a threat to a young lady to show. WOW SMH

[MichelleTMelton]

07:44 PM on 09/13/2011

You tell him, girl!

[La maestra]

06:16 PM on 09/13/2011

How DARE TLC promote such a disgusting concept!? Would they air a show with a bunch of 80-pound anorexics called "Skinny sexy"? Neither lifestyle is healthy. Obesity is a serious epidemic in this country and no amount of glitz is going to hide the fact that obese people are lazy, gross, and incapable of making rational, disciplined choices. They shouldn't be allowed to have children! If they can't take care of themselves, they obviously can't take care of children ...

[sunbeemer]

06:51 PM on 09/13/2011

What gives you the right to judge someone who is overweight? Who taught you values and morals growing up? I am a medical school graduate, practicing physician, have a wonderful husband, and two incredibly talented boys, and I'm overweight! Never in my life, have I been embarrassed to be in public or was the brunt of a sick joke. There are many colors in this world- do you judge other races too? You are more than welcome to visit our home, enjoy a wonderful meal prepared by my chef, meet my family, and see how we LAZY, GROSS, INCAPABLE OF MAKING RATIONALE DECISIONS PEOPLE LIVE!!! You need to get off your high horse and smell the roses... people are people! I'm thankful I don't associate with someone like you! Do you have children? You should think long and seriously about your comments... what would you do if your son came home with an overweight, beautiful, smart girl??? Now whos the loser?

[Rachelvis]

11:48 AM on 09/15/2011

Don't compare different races to being overweight. One is something you are born with and one is an unfortunate, unhealthy and unattractive choice.

[AnnVictoria Hanson]

12:12 PM on 09/26/2011

Why are you an over weight doctor? I would walk out the door.

[RobTheBl0gger]

07:11 PM on 09/13/2011

That's because of all the obese women so there is an audience. Sad but true.

[wyndchas78]

06:08 PM on 09/13/2011

Obsese women and men are not attractive, but someone with a little extra is very appealing. You want someone who you can hug and not be afraid you'll break them or not be able to wrap your arms around them. There is a happy medium.

[dd00405]

05:33 PM on 09/13/2011

Gross.

[333Cathy]

05:07 PM on 09/13/2011

For decades PEOPLE have allowed the fashion industry to dictate beauty to the world. What became of that? Anorexia, bulimia, and women starving themselves to become shapeless looking 12 year old BOYS! Now we get to glamorize the unhealthy fat people too. COOL!