Hanane Fathallah 
"Union makes strength." I have always been a big believer of collaborative and collective work, especially when it comes to women issues. Women promoting women. An empowering motto.
I have been a plus size fashion blogger since 2011, and I have always been on the search for other plus size bloggers in the Middle East and Arab region. To be honest, it wasn't the easiest task. Earlier this year, I moved to Dubai, UAE, and I pressed a refresh button to my blogging journey: I am now able to be more productive and proactive than ever before. My research became more regular and studied, and eventually I came across a handful of beautiful bloggers who all come from a fashion or beauty background, but who all promote the plus size and body positivity movement.
A couple of weeks ago, I decided to bring together all these women under one roof, so I finally created the community I have always longed for. I started contacting one blogger after the other, and they were all equally excited about this initiative! I founded an online community called "Middle East Plus Size Fashion Bloggers."
Middle East Plus Size Fashion Bloggers brings together plus size bloggers from the MENA region, and address untapped topics like plus size fashion and body positivity. There are so many misconceptions that roam around being a plus size woman. Our mission is to correct these false ideologies, and replace them with more positive messages, such as body confidence, body diversity, promoting style for all sizes; all to reflect an image of a healthy confident curvy plus size Arab woman.
- Egypt-based plus size blogger Nermeen Nasef from the blog Kalbooza Fashion is the bubbly personality: her good humor is beyond contagious! She was the first one I actually contacted, and she was blown away by the concept.
- Bahrain-based Mai Al-Saudi from the blog Plus by Mai is an established plus size blogger who keeps her social media blooming with outfits and fashion tips. She is also currently pursuing Masters Studies in Blogging and Consumer Behavior.
- Sabrin Al-Subaihi from the blog Sabura's Fashion Blog is originally Palestinian and based in Germany. I actually noticed her after she had published a Palestinian-inspired folklore dress outfit post on her blog.
- Dubai-based Aseya Nasib from the blog Pretty in the Desert is half-Japanese, half-Emirati with a pinch of American flair. She is currently building her makeup artist portfolio and she also wants to venture into plus size fashion through her blog.
- Egypt comes knocking on our door again with the lovely Naira Ghanem from Touch of Sparkle, who is based in London and is currently a beauty editor at Gaya Magazine, and an answers-seeker to the plus size and body positive movement.
- Architect and Beauty/Fashion lover Mona Hassounah from the blog A Colorful Eye is also part of the team: I spotted her after plus size brand YOURS Clothing tagged her outfit on social media. A sweet soul with a great interest in guiding women and promoting body confidence.
- Coming from the Mediterranean shores, Beirut-based Aline Chirinian from the blog Nouchaline is a well-known blogger in Lebanon, a promoter of plus size fashion, body confidence and healthy lifestyle; she is also an online editor and blogger for lifestyle and social magazine Mondanité.
- And just a couple of days ago, Racha, a young Tunisian plus size blogger from the blog Curvaceous Racha decided to join our team! A strong believer that “fat” and “beautiful” are not opposites, she started a blog to convey a body positive message, as she blends her love for fashion with photography.
From outfit collaborations, inspirational articles and fun girly posts, our team of plus size bloggers will try to bring readers and followers 100% confidence. At the moment, we are nine bloggers: the first keyword that comes to mind when they see us is DIVERSITY. The different faces of Arab and Middle Eastern women could be summed up within our group. There is definitely always room for more, but for now we are embracing the opportunity to get to know each other, to brainstorm together, to share ideas, contribute and create content to keep our online community active and up-to-date!
Arab and Middle Eastern society might be filled with flaws and taboos, so through this type of community we are trying to break those boundaries by creating a space where plus size, curvier, bigger, larger women can find inspiration, fashion solutions and positivity; It is also a platform for them to interact with our team of bloggers and to relate to other women like them. A collective that we hope will see even brighter days!
P.S. You can follow "Middle East Fashion Bloggers on Instagram, to stay up to date with all our happenings!
