I’m very proud to bring an exclusive interview with Lauren Ding, from the FATshion blog Pocket Rocket. Every blogger I interview here is a personal fashion icon and people that I’ve been following around for a while. Therefore they are a collection of fierce and fashionable women, each one of them with a unique style that suits the different aspects of my fashion personality, and I hope that this diversity represents my readers as well.

But, enough of all that - let’s talk about Lauren!

Lauren founded the blog Pocket Rocket in August 2009, and she says that “Fashion has always been a huge passion of mine despite not fitting in with the acceptable standard.”.

She’s a fiercely comitted feminist and HAES advocate, but she prefers to keep the blog mostly free of politics since it’s her happy place. She define’s herself as “Fat, but patently not unfashionable.”

The name Pocket Rocket is inspired by a quote about Beth Ditto: “She’s a size 28, but the best description for her is pocket rocket: she’s short (5ft), but drawn with Beryl Cook brushstrokes.” (Miranda Sawyer on Beth Ditto, The Observer 2009).

I had to google Beryl Cook and found out that he’s an amazing painter that portrays fat people in art.

I love Lauren’s ladylike style and the fact that she’s so bold and sexy at the same time! She’s such a huge inspiration!

Let’s get to know a bit about the lovely Lauren

1.Why did you decide to create a fashion blog?

I’ve always loved fashion and clothes, and I’ve always been plus size. A few of my straight size friends had fashion blogs and it seemed like fun but not something I could be a part of. Then I found the fat acceptance communities and the plus size fashion community, and there weren’t many voices from England so I thought I would create a little space for myself to talk about what was happening here.

2.What does fashion mean to you?

It means creativity and expression, two things that are very important to me.

3.What are the most important aspects when you choose an outfit?

Do I feel confident in it? Do I giggle happily when I see myself in the mirror wearing it? As well as that I am also a sucker for matching colors and prints, so I do take that in mind.

4.Where do you find inspiration to create your outfits?

In my head mostly, although other bloggers, runway shows and my friends serve as inspiration, too. I never know I’m looking for inspiration until I find it, and sometimes it’s in the most unlikely of places.

5.What are your favorite fashion and beauty items?

I have a few statement dresses that I love - my wire dress is going down as an heirloom! For basics, I love a good, comfortable jersey pencil skirt. I have them in millions of colours and patterns. Beauty wise I recommend a good liquid eyeliner - I’m currently using MAC Liquid Liner - and mascara (using MAC False Lashes) as I feel naked without them!

6.What are your shopping strategies as a plus sized woman?

Research, research, research. I’m constantly checking my fave websites for new stock, and I’m always on the lookout for new shops and designers. I look online a lot, but I always try things on in person if I can as ordering online can be a bit of a hassle, especially if you don’t know how it’s going to fit before you pay. I’d also suggest only using the size on the clothing tag loosely as no two shops fit the same!

7.What’s your advice for plus size women regarding fashion?

Dress and shop for who you are, not for what you wish you were, and wear whatever makes you happy.

Thank you, Lauren, so much for the opportunity to share some of your thoughts with the More of Me to Love readers.
It means a lot to me to help create a body positive community and to have the chance to interact with beautiful and confident women all over the globe. Women like Lauren, who make fashion their own, are living proof that fashion is for everyBODY.

Patricia Morgado is a Brazilian teacher, jewelry designer and a self acceptance and fashion blogger. She has a degree in Pedagogy and a Master's degree in Human Rights Education. She believes that the key to a happy life is learning to love ourselves. She also believes that fashion is for everyBODY. You can find her jewlery work at Madame Papu's.