Sad news from Figure magazine

Figure magazine has announced that it will be closing its doors and that the March/April issue will be its last. What a bummer, right? I know there are other magazines geared towards plus size women but Figure is the only one I could pick up at my local grocery store. In fact, it's one of only two magazines I read on a regular basis.

This is sad news for plus size fashion, especially at a time when it seems like we're gaining some ground in terms of plus sizes being recognized by the mainstream fashion industry. There's a long way to go in that respect but it felt good to pick up a magazine and see plus size models in plus size clothing that I could go out and buy quite easily.

This is also sad for me on a personal level. Figure announced some time ago that they had started the hunt for a blogger to write for their website. And well, I was chosen to be that blogger. The blog never got off the ground but I am still very proud that Figure was going to entrust the new project to me and allow me to represent Figure online, for their blog.

I'm sad that the opportunity was lost for me personally but I'm even more sad that we'll never see what Figure could've become if given the chance.

Comments

[kas]

what is the other plus size mag that you read reguarly?

[Colleen]

Yeah, I should have clarified that. The other magazine I read is O, Oprah's magazine. It doesn't insult my intelligence as much as other mainstream magazines for women. I also read Bust on occasion.

[Rebecca]

I don't know of any other plus-sized mags since Mode went away (may it rest in piece). However I never liked Figure - it was an advertisement for Lane Bryant etc., not a real magazine.

[Karen]

O is not a magazine for plus-size women. For one thing, it's basically a diet magazine, and for another, it rarely features plus-size models.

I'll miss Figure too. Terribly. It's the only magazine since Mode that actually featured true plus-size models. I regret that its content wasn't as size-positive and celebratory's as Mode was, though, and it did allow some diet ads to sneak in from time to time, which is contemptible in a magazine for full-figured womne.

Rebecca's point is taken, though. A true plus-size magazine needs to incorportate everyone -- besides Lane Bryant and Fashion Bug, it needs Torrid, Avenue, Saks, Dress Barn Woman, JCPenney, Dillard's, etc. etc. etc.

I did like the fact that Figure always used visible full-figured models, though. What's needed is another magazine with Mode's celebratory spirt, but with Figure's resolve to use true plus-size models.

[Colleen]

Where did I say that O was a plus size magazine? At the very least, I think it's a lot more diverse and focused on overall health and well being than the magazines marketed towards women my age. I'd rather read O than Cosmo. At least O doesn't insult my intelligence.

Rebecca, Figure was in fact owned by the same company that owns Lane Bryant. However, dismissing it as not a "real" magazine is terribly insulting to the staff who wrote and produced it and further, it's really not fair.

It may not have been Plus Size Vogue but it was way better than the big NOTHING that will be available to most plus size readers now.

[Carrie Hotton]

I'm annoyed with most print publications. The only two that barely squeak by as being tolerable and occassionally interesting for me are Real Simple and Glamour. It's no surprise to me that print publications aren't doing well.

[Susie]

Wow. Well, congratulations and condolences...

[SteveD]

What is with Oprah? She's trying to look like "O"? Shame that was well done magazine. Hopefully everyone involved gets new work.

Here Jobs are Slim Pickings (Washington State).

SteveD

[Plum Texan]

I still deeply mourn the loss of Mode, all these years later. Figure was no Mode (what is?), but it was a damn sight better than most of what passes for plus-size fashion magazines (remember Grace? *shudder*). Colleen, I'm sorry the blog didn't work out and that a decent publication is going under. The options for us have gotten so much better, you'd think more media would follow.

[Emily]

I just found out that two other of my favorite magazines have shut down as well- Adorn (a crafty mag) and Domino (hip home decor). I think that with the internet being a lot of people's main source for info and the economy the way it is, print editions of magazines have become too much of a luxury item. It saddens me, because there is nothing more fun of getting a new glossy in my mailbox and digging in. Sorry to hear of the opportunity lost, Colleen. I encourage everyone who has a favorite magazine, get a subscription and try to keep them afloat!

[Melissa]

I am so saddened to hear that Figure has ceased publication, just when I was getting ready to subscribe. I didnt mind that it featured Lane Bryant's clothing b/c that's where I shop. I am on the hunt for other magazines that feature plus size fashion tips, advice, etc.

[Moe]

I think these magazine companies give up way too easily. Figure hasn't been around for that long and already it's tossing in the bag. It's very sad. It seemed like it was just starting to find it's legs.

Mode was a great mag. I didn't mind Grace so much, it wasn't as great but I enjoyed it when it was around. I still have the premiere issue on my shelf. I have always wished the team that did Mode would start up another plus mag.

[Jenn]

I am very disappointed that yet another plus-sized magazine has failed. First BBW, then Mode and now Figure......it was nice to see models of "real" size modeling plus-sized clothing, not size 12 in a the plus size clothing mags.....I mean really, don't insult us like that! You too will be missed FIGURE...and Ladies Home Journal will NOT replace the lost subscription, a refund would have been nicer! That too is an insult!

[cathy]

i been looking for the figure magazine to come out so i come to the website to find out that they discontinue it.. i feel so bad i loved that magazine ....darn...posted from cathy p vineland nj