the big bum jumble

(From my inbox...)

The Big Bum Jumble
Saturday 14 August 2010, 12-5pm
Stratford Circus
Theatre Square
London E15 1BX
www.stratford-circus.com

Email: bigbumjumble@gmail.com
Blog: www.bigbumjumble.blogspot.com
Facebook group: Big Bum Jumble

The Big Bum Jumble, where Fatshion in the UK takes an ethical turn

The Big Bum Jumble is landmark fatshion event selling low-cost second-hand and vintage clothes in sizes XL+. It will take place on 14 August 2010 in London's East End, and will comprise a traditional jumble sale, a catwalk show and other activities, as well as the chance to participate in a film of the event.

Kay Hyatt, its principle organiser, is a fat activist who often struggles to find clothes to fit. Knowing that other people were in the same position, she decided to do something about it after attending a similar event in the US. Kay explains: "I was impressed by the celebratory atmosphere, the friendliness, the sense of community and, of course, the excellent fashion. It was like jumping into a giant dressing-up box. I wanted to bring that feeling home."

Kay says: "Fashion can be creative and playful, it can help you feel really good about yourself. I think this should be available to everyone regardless of size or background." She adds: "Although The Big Bum Jumble is a sale, it's also anti-consumerist, all about reusing and recycling, and it has a DIY-culture ethic of making something out of the resources available to you."

"The situation is improving but, unless you can afford the high-end stuff, plus-sized fashion is often limited to poor quality, overpriced and ethically-dubious products sold by companies who see fat people as self-hating, desperate consumers. We deserve better."

The Big Bum Jumble is a fundraiser for further fat activist community events in the UK, including the proposed 2012 Fattylympics. The Big Bum Jumble has been partially funded by The Fat of The Land: A Queer Chub Harvest Festival, which took place in London on 3 October 2009. Please visit that event's blog for more information: http://queerchub.blogspot.com