In the midst of worldwide media attention placed on the incredibly shrinking runway model, Top International plus-size models Liis Windischmann and Diane Pellini celebrate curvaceous beauty with the debut of their new Fenomenal Calendar. Size 14 model Liis graces the cover, while the calendar features models from the world’s top modeling agencies. It is a tribute to the 1940’s and 1950’s pin-up models and to an era in which voluptuous women were celebrated and clothing accentuated the curvy female form. The calendar is available through www.fenomenalcalendar.com.

“There has been so much conversation since Madrid’s Fashion Week about the size of models and what images are being portrayed through the media to the world,” said Windischmann. “The gap created by unattainable fashion standards and the average size North American woman will be bridged by us creating new and exciting projects using beautiful models always over a size 12.”

The calendar, which features size 12 and 14 models aims to portray healthy body imagery showing the world that beauty is found in various sizes, and in future years will offer an even broader size range. To encourage women to have fun and celebrate their lives, it highlights important but lesser known, sometimes whimsical holidays, including International Size Acceptance Day (April 26), International No Diet Day (May 6), Best Friends Day (June 8), Be Yourself Day (August 29), National Chocolate Day (December 28), and October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

The 2007 Fenomenal Calendar was shot by top New York photographer Christopher Borgman with California-based Miles Berdache as the talented make-up and hair artist. Other top models featured include former straight size model Sage Salzer and Kristin Briscoe. Both are advocates for celebrating size positivity.

“It is our goal to create new and exciting projects for the curvy industry – not just for the general public but for the models as well. This sector of the fashion industry desperately needs a lively, good dose of color, fun and creativity”, said Pellini. “There is a need to create not just a calendar, but a place where beauty, diversity, creativity, spirituality and womanhood is celebrated in the most voluptuous way.”

Paris born, New York-based curvy model Diane Pellini brings her international fashion flair to the industry and to the calendar. She has appeared several times on television shows such as The View, Good Morning America, The Today Show as well as a fashion special on ABC. Diane’s images have appeared in top women’s magazines such as Essence, Glamour, Grace and SHOP etc. Having traveled extensively, she has worked for large international clients throughout North America and Europe including Saks Fifth Avenue, Eddie Bauer, Avon, Laura Plus, Otto and Vanity Fair.

Diane brings forth a unique combination of fashion savvy and a background in holistic healing which she hopes to combine in this project to help raise women’s awareness of how they view themselves physically and thus mentally while providing them with the confidence to help create new, improved self images.

Represented by Ford Modeling Agency, Liis Windischmann continues to be a leading voice in increasing acceptance of average size and plus-size women in mainstream media. Windischmann is Canada’s most sought after and one of North America’s top plus-size models. Her example encourages others to practice size acceptance, achieve a healthy body perception, increase self-awareness and understand other curvy issues.

Windischmann has been at the forefront of the plus-size fashion world for over a decade. She has traveled around the world working with clients in Africa, Europe, North America and the Caribbean; appearing in publications such as Figure, Mode, Woman’s World, Wedding Bells, Real You, Canadian Living, Today’s Bride, Chatelaine, Lush and Clin d'oeil.

Liis can be seen regularly on CityLine’s Fashion Fridays on CityTV. This December, she will grace the pages of LUSH Magazine.

Some of Liis’ major print campaigns include work for Laura Plus, Talbot’s, Eddie Bauer, CJ Banks, Reitmans and Addition-Elle. For a recent fall campaign, The Bay displayed a three-storey high poster of her outside its flagship store.

Some of her many television appearances include Entertainment Tonight Canada, FashionTelevision, Fashion File, BreakfastTelevision, Canada AM and Open Mike with Mike Bullard. As a native Torontonian, a city with a strong runway history, Liis has rocked the runways for Lane Bryant, Richard Metzger and Brian Bailey.

The calendar will sell for $14.99 and will be available for sale on www.fenomenalcalendar.com