• American Apparel has launched a plus-sized model contest called “The Next Big Thing.” We’ll assume the pun was intended.

With their newly available XL options, that size 0 hipster chick they found sniffing around Bushwick ain’t gonna cut it: “ Calling curvy ladies everywhere! Our best-selling Disco Pant (and around 10 other sexy styles) are now available in size XL, for those of us who need a little extra wiggle room where it counts. We’re looking for fresh faces (and curvaceous bods) to fill these babies out. If you think you’ve got what it takes to be the next XLent model, send us photos of you and your junk to back it up. Just send us two recent photographs of yourself, one that clearly shows your face and one of your body. We’ll select a winner to be flown out to our Los Angeles headquarters to star in your own bootylicious photoshoot. Runners up will win an enviable assortment of our favorite new styles in XL! Show us what you’re workin’ with!” Underhanded “fat” puns aside, if you check out the website, there are lots of beautiful, deliciously buxom women of different ethnicities featured. I already have my favorite. What do you think of this contest? Step in the right direction or just a cheap stunt to save the brand from extinction? (The Cut)

• Now here’s a pair of boots perfect for those winter ice-skating parties where you stand next to the food table adjacent to the rink, shoveling chips and salsa down your throat as you watch everyone else skate. (Oh, that’s just me?) While you cannot skate in these DSquared2 “Skate Moss” boots, you can (allegedly) walk in them. Want a pair? They’ll be available soon at endless.com and Zappos. Prices range from $1,485 and $1,895, so save your lunch money, kids. (Glamour.com)

• Here’s that Rafael Nadal for Armani Jeans ad we talked about the other day. It is as sexy as one would expect. (Beauty is Diverse)

• WWD has revealed the next two designers to be honored with a Costume Institue exhibit: Miuccia Prada and Elsa Schiaparelli, who worked alongside Coco Chanel. Few details about the exhibit are available at this time, but when they pop up, we’ll be sure to let you know. Think you’ll check it out once May comes around? (WWD)

 

• In an interview with Forbes on her recent ranking as the 69th most influential woman in the world, Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour assures the public: those who work closely with her indeed do not find her intimidating. “…I don’t think of myself as intimidating and I can assure you that the people I work with on a day-to-day basis don’t think that either… I think that’s just something that has been fabricated by the elements of the media.” See guys? Anna’s probably just as sweet as your oxtail making grandma who gives you ginger candies and lets you take money out of her purse when the ice cream truck comes. (Forbes)

~Jihan