Founded in the spring of 2013, Fat Girl Food Squad has developed into more than just a blog - it has developed into a community, focused on the intersection between food, fat, and feminism. Fat Girl Food Squad is about people of all shapes and sizes eating good food and feeling good in their bodies, in every way possible. This Sunday, FGFS are hosting a plus size pop up shop upstairs at Dee’s, and we’re super happy to be involved. We spoke with founders Yuli and Ama about their beginnings, event details and of course their thoughts on some Dee’s staples.
Tell us - what is Fat Girl Food Squad? Give us a brief background and history.
Ama: Founded in the spring of 2013, Fat Girl Food Squad started with Yuli & myself having a desire to speak frankly and openly about what mattered to us. In the one year that we have been around, Fat Girl Food Squad has developed into more than just a blog - it has developed into a community, focused on the intersection between food, fat, and feminism. We are fundamentally about people of all shapes and sizes eating good food and feeling good in their bodies, in every way possible.
What (or who) was your inspiration in starting FGFS up?
Ama: One day, we sat down and decided to register a domain and commit ourselves to posting five times a week. Both of us were “seasoned” bloggers, but we decided it was time to step up and speak openly and candidly about issues surrounding people each day and the stigma surrounding food and the body. We wanted to do more with the voice we had been provided and Fat Girl Food Squad gave us that opportunity.
What are your thoughts on the feedback and support you’ve received since your launch, and why FGFS has been so successful?
Yuli: Fundamentally, the feedback we get is on the community FGFS has created. Every Squad outside of Toronto, like Denver or Winnipeg, has come about because those individuals came to us. They felt the need like Ama and I did. Also, it’s just fun. We have fun with our writing; we’re real, honest, and fresh. We also make everything look darn good in photos.
What do you have planned for Dee’s on June 1, and what kind of treasures can we expect to find at this weekend’s pop-up?
Yuli: The pop-up is going to be a great way for people to get their hands on those hard-to-find plus size vintage clothing items. But we can also officially announce we now have Jessica Biffi (of Project Runway Canada fame) on board. Plus, Erin from US vintage and modern retailer Re/Dress is sending us pieces from her personal collection. And of course, FGFS Fashion Team member and local designer Amarina Norris will have pieces from her line Ursa Major+ available. Oh, and there will be food.
Ama: All too often as plus-size individuals, it is harder to find really rad clothing. We wanted to have this pop-up so that we could bring sizes 14 and up, altogether in one room and give them choice. Beyond the amazing ‘friends’ we will have showing (whom Yuli mentioned), attendees will be able to shop the closets of most of our GTA Squad members including everything from accessories to clothing. Plus, we will be donating some of the plus-size clothes (not sold at the event) back to the women’s shelter Sistering.
What makes Dee’s a good fit to host the event?
Yuli: I can’t think of another place in town with a more relaxed environment. It’s not going to be some church basement sale, that’s for sure.
Your first thoughts, go!
Ama: Get in mah belly.
Fresh jams come with the arrival of summer. What do you have spinning on repeat?
Yuli: I lean heavy on local and electronic everyday but Trust’s new album is getting me pumped right now.
Ama: I can’t stop spinning Iggy Azalea’s new album, The New Classic with the new BadBadNotGood album (III) coming in a close second. I am all about hip-hop and electronic music and these two albums are serving up some fierce summer realness.
Your first ever concert attended! Give me those details.
Yuli: At the Multicultural Center in Calgary. I was 13 or 14 and went to my first punk show to see the Corta Vita. Life changing.
Ama: Growing up in Mississauga, I use to always go see a band named Pezz at the Masonic Lodge. I was probably 13 or 14 at this time and just really discovering music and myself. Pezz ended up becoming Billy Talent. I still have one of their tapes I bought at my parents house.
Kings Crown, or Cactus in the Valley?
Yuli: Cactus in the Valley. I’m a sucker for pico degallo.
Ama: King’s Crown. I am a sucker for the original.
Share your most memorable/inaugural moment at Sneaky Dee’s.
Yuli: NXNE last year upstairs at Dee’s, I photographed a showcase that included Mac Demarco. It got weird and I loved every second of it. That’s all I will say.
Ama: JD Sampson of MEN played at the upstairs of Dee’s for Canadian Music Week and the show was everything I wanted it to be and more. Hot, sweaty, loud and everything. I remember I had been looking forward to that show all week and their performance was nothing short of great.
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Make sure to head upstairs on Sunday pre/post-brunch to check out Fat Girl Food Squad’s Pop-Up Shop! Second-hand and vintage clothing will be for sale, sizes 14 and up, along with shoes & accessories of all sizes. Amarina of Ursa Major+ will also be showcasing a selection of vintage plus size items from her shop, as well as hand-made jewellery. Of course, snacks will be provided by yours truly and the bar will be open upstairs. A suggested donation of $5 to support Fat Girl Food Squad’s endeavors is greatly appreciated! We look forward to seeing you there!
Links
http://fatgirlfoodsquad.com/
https://www.facebook.com/events/1447491258830722/