At the Torrid store for plus-size women in Lakeside Mall, a sure-fire conversation starter with customers is "American Idol."
The LaKisha look: 'Idol' singer becoming style icon for plus-size young women
http://www.freep. com/apps/ pbcs.dll/ article?AID= /20070401/ ENT03/704010540
BY JULIE HINDS
FREE PRESS POP CULTURE WRITER
At the Torrid store for plus-size women in Lakeside Mall, a sure-fire conversation starter with customers is "American Idol."
And since this is metro Detroit, a popular contestant is Flint's LaKisha Jones, who's become something of a style icon for women with curves.
It's good to have people who are different sizes on 'Idol,' not just people who are sticks," said Christina Cusumano, 20, of Washington Township, who was trying on shoes at the store last week. "We're not very equally represented. I think there's still negativity about people who are bigger."
Tresbian Holmes, 34, of Sterling Heights, who was shopping with her daughter Junia, 14 months, keeps an eye on LaKisha's outfits each week and has opinions on which items she'd wear herself.
" 'Kisha is my ultimate favorite," said Holmes, praising her look. "It's not overbearing, yet it's sophisticated and stylish."
Although the buzz on "Idol" has been monopolized by Sanjaya Malakar's hair and lack of talent, there's also been a quieter focus of attention on 27-year-old LaKisha, especially among fans who are glad to see a young, plus-size woman on TV who enjoys experimenting with fashion.
LaKisha's powerful voice has put her among the front-runners. But on a few occasions, her clothing has drawn criticism from tart-tongued judge Simon Cowell.
When she wore a short denim skirt and bright orange top early in the season, Cowell wasn't pleased. "Can I be honest with you?" he snipped. "I don't like the outfit. I found it distracting. "
The same outfit inspired a New York Post article on "Idol" style to call LaKisha's look "the Great Pumpkin."
During British invasion week, LaKisha irked Cowell again by wearing an emerald-green cocktail dress with a splash of borrowed diamonds. Cowell's verdict? She seemed like LaKisha in 50 years.
The wardrobe stylist for "American Idol," Miles Siggins, disagrees. He thought the emerald dress looked great against her skin, and he says LaKisha loves the glamorous look.
"If LaKisha could have it her way, she'd be in a gown every week," says Siggins, who's encouraged her to mix it up and go more casual, as she did Tuesday night with a bold print kimono-inspired dress and sleek high-heeled boots.
The fact that the debate is over LaKisha's clothes, not her size, is a step forward for "Idol," and perhaps for perceptions of plus-size women in general. After all, this is the same show where Cowell has caused flaps with his comments and cracks about weight. He once joked that a bigger stage might be needed for last year's contestant Mandisa Hundley (though he was apologetic later).
But there's been some progress.
Rotund Ruben Studdard won the second season, scoring a victory for plus-size men.
And this year, former "Idol" contestant Jennifer Hudson emerged as an Oscar winner and curvaceous style diva who made the March cover of Vogue.
"I would never want to be smaller than an 8, and even that's too small," Hudson was quoted as proclaiming in the New York Times. "I think 10, 12, 14, is a beautiful place to be."
At a time when the average American woman wears a 14, LaKisha represents a shift in attitude.
Sharon DuMas-Pugh, founder of the Detroit-based Full & Fabulous Inc., an organization for plus-size women and teens, says options for plus-size shoppers are "1,000% better" now than when she formed her group more than two decades ago.
"There are a lot of stores and a lot of designers who design beautiful clothes for plus-size women," she says, citing familiar names like Lane Bryant and Ashley Stewart.
The TV landscape is also showing more size diversity, but it's taking time. For plus-size women, there's still the fear of being slammed.
Kimberley Locke, a Season 1 "Idol" contestant, didn't sound very convinced when she told Entertainment Weekly that Cowell seems different on weight issues.
"Not once this year has he told any of the girls that they need to lose weight. I'm a little suspicious of that," said Locke, who was a spokesmodel for Lane Bryant for a few years and is in the upcoming "Celebrity Fit Club" on VH1.
Last year, Jordin Sparks, a current "Idol" contestant, was one of the winners of Torrid's plus-size model search and appeared in a campaign in Seventeen magazine.
Both Jordin, who is 17, and LaKisha represent the new generation of young, trend-conscious plus-size woman, says Delia Douglas, marketing manager for Torrid, a retail chain that emphasizes trendy apparel and accessories for women in their teens and 20s in sizes 12 to 26.
If either of them wins, "they would do great things for America's young plus-size girls," says Douglas.
In an interview with the Free Press after reaching the top 24 on "Idol," LaKisha struck a confident tone on issues of style and size, saying she's not worried about her weight and that she'd lose whatever pounds she had to for herself and nobody else.
For now, LaKisha's clothes are being scrutinized by viewers, who are divided on the fashion do's and don'ts of her selections.
Ferndale-based image consultant Indigo Zuri says LaKisha has been dressing a little old for her age. She thinks her gowns are more suited to Broadway than MTV. But she gives LaKisha high marks for the kimono dress.
"It was the first time she really dressed like a young pop star," says Zuri.
Shiela Drake, 23, of Harper Woods, who wears a 16 or 18, thinks LaKisha is great, but she wants her to change her look.
She says LaKisha's emerald dress reminded her of a leprechaun and she felt her denim miniskirt was too short.
"Maybe a little longer would have made her look a little more classy," she says.
Drake thinks it's important for LaKisha to look her best because she's not just dressing for herself .
"I think she does represent the more voluptuous, plus-size woman," she says. "They should have her represent us better than they are."
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