Fashionistas - What's in a Word

You have heard this word before curvy divas, "Fashionistas"?  When it comes to anything to do with fashion and being fashionable, I am sure you have!  Do you know who coined the word and how it came about?  Well, first of all I didn't even realized that there was a story to the word, much less it being "coined" by any one particular person!  I just thought it was one of those words that came about and became popular because of its usage and in reference to anything fashion!

According to Elle.com's Culture News, in an article by Rebecca Moss, the word Fashionistas was first created by Stephen Fried. In 1993, Fried, a young Journalist was writing a book about the Model Gia Carangi, who died very young, (sidenote-have you seen the [autobiography] movie of the same name, Gia? - I did and it is one to watch)!  Stephen met with people in the Industry and wanted a word that would represent who and what they were.  Because models and the Industry weren't popular at that time, he wanted his readers to see how interesting being a model was and to also give them an idea of what a glamorous life it seems to be.

In the interview with Moss, Stephen said that he regretted creating that word because it has taken on a life of its own.  Especially because people in the industry don't really like being referred to as Fashionistas, some people "read  a lot into it" and some are even freaked out by being known as one, because they feel it (the word fashionista) is "above them"!

You have heard me use the word in my writings before haven't you curvy divas? I actually think it's a perfectly coined word for the industry. After all it is about fashion, the people and what they create, and also what they do isn't it?  They might not think it is flattering or glamorous  but like me, a lot of other people sure do!  I guess because I'm not in the industry, it doesn't come off as negative! I'm surprised at that reveal!

Stephen Fried was also quite happy that the word was included in the Oxford Dictionary in 1999! Obviously, the word has caught on!

To read the full article please go to this link!