New York Based Model, Elizabeth Green, arrived in Sydney, Australia to star in the FIRST EVER plus size fashion parade at Rosemount Sydney Fashion Festival (RSFF).

Elizabeth was the celebrity model at the city chic parades to be held at the Rosemount Sydney Fashion Festival event at Martin Place, on Thursday, August 20.

City Chic is a brand that designs high street fashion for young curvaceous sassy girls who are a full size 14 plus+!

Green was signed with premier modeling agency Ford Models New York in 2008 and has worked in the Big Apple for major clients including Macy’s, Kmart, Sears, JCPenny, Nordstrom, Lane Bryant and various magazines.

She says, “the Plus-Size market in the United States offers a different look and feel to Australia. With the Australian market strongly focusing on offering items that are young, sexy and on trend.  I’ve always wanted to buy garments I look and feel hot in that are similar to those my slimmer friends were purchasing and with city chic’s collection now I can!”

“For example a highlight of the city chic parade will be the launch of exclusive Ed Hardy designs for plus size girls!”

Her Australian Agent, Darrianne Donnelly owner of BGM model agency, says, “Elizabeth represents a coup for the ongoing debates surrounding the fashion industry.  Sizing up at a healthy size 14, she is breaking middle ground in an industry obsessed with measurables”.

Donnelly continues, “Having spent her formative years being told to ‘slim down’ she left the glamour of modeling to pursue her English studies at Macquarie University.  However, it wasn’t long before she was asked to return to the circuit.
The industry was changing and magazines began requesting curvier girls”

Elizabeth rebranded herself as a ‘plus size’ model and began appearing in local campaigns for Bonds, Lovable and three television campaigns for Kellogg’s Special K cereal.

Before going on the books of Ford New York, Elizabeth went to Milan.

“Sure I drew comparisons to Megan Gale, and hey who wouldn’t be flattered by that?  However, people would comment on how beautiful they though I was but also said they thought I was too big to be a model.”

“I found this confronting as the average size Australian woman is now 14 to 16. However, determined to model in Italy I became a ‘taglia piu forte’ – a plus size model and worked successfully in this market.

Green concluded, “I’m delighted to be back in Australia and to be the celebrity model for city chic at the inaugural plus size parades at RSFF.”

Earlier this week we gave you an update on how plus size models in Australia made history when they appeared on the catwalk of the Rosemount Sydney Fashion Festival, wearing various stylish pieces from City Chic. Today I wanted to give you more of a glimpse of what actually hit the runway that day, by presenting you with some exclusive images from the actual show. Enjoy! (Remember, click on the images to view a full size version of the photo.)

Blitzing the runway at Rosemount Sydney Fashion Festival for city chic, on Thursday 20th August, in Sydney, Australia. The line up included Aussie plus size super model from New York, Elizabeth Green.

Eighteen size 14,16 & size 18 models blitzed their skinnier sisters out of the water with the first ever plus size fashion parade held at Rosemount Sydney Fashion Festival on Thursday 20th August 2009.

It was the first time such an event has been part of a major Australian fashion week.  The event  received an overwhelming response from both the crowd and the media, hailing the fact that it was about time to see gorgeous curvy women on the catwalk.

There was a definite vibe of excitement and fun in the air from the crowd and the models. The models owned the catwalk like they had been doing this for years, and there was of course city chic’s ’s closing model Laura who gave the crowd more then an eyeful when she tore off her skirt.

Phil Ryan, GM of city chic, says, ”It’s about time the fuller figured woman is represented on the catwalk.   We’re proud to stage these plus size parades as we’re actually showcasing the average sized Australian woman i.e. size 14!”

“Plus we’ll be showing all the hot items for Spring 09 – available in sizes 14 – 24. These are exactly the same as the hot items designed for size 8’s and 10’s because, at city chic, we believe every sized woman should be able to wear the latest fashion”.

“Our customers are sassy. They’re bold, they’re proud and they embrace their curves.”

“Our city chic ‘role models’ are Jennifer Hudson, Queen Latifah and our very own Ricki-Lee Coulter – all fuller figured women who are happy in their skin!”

Hot stories in the city chic collection include:

• Garden Party florals for Racewear and special events
• Rock Chick for Clubbing
• Ed Hardy exclusive items for city chic.

Check out some exclusive images from the City Chic plus size fashion show below (click image for full size view)…

Stay tuned for more exclusive photos!