We’re excited to introduce you to plus size swimwear line, Isserè! This new size-inclusive swimwear line is designed and produced by model and FGT Member Isabelle Young. You may recognize her from a previous interview or features on our social channels.
This year our motto is “Community Over Everything” so we’re inviting the small business owners within the Fat Girls Traveling community to add their business to our new FGT Community Connections List. Which will allow us to find authentic and sustainable ways to support each other’s businesses.
Learn more about Isserè then shop and save 15% using the code “ISSEREGAL”
Fat Girls Guide: We’ve interviewed you before but it’s time for an update! How have you been and where have you been lately?
Isabelle Yong: Life has taken a turn for the better since our last interview. I’ve gone back to my roots and moved back to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. I am now a full-time curvy model, content creator and a brand new business owner to my baby Isserè.
Fat Girls Guide: What inspired you to launch a plus size swimwear line? Give us the origin story.
Isabelle Yong: Isserè is a swimwear brand that was created as a love letter to all women who have ever hated their bodies. The bikini is my superhero suit! The first time I wore one I felt empowered, confident and most importantly I loved seeing my body in it. For the very first time I felt confident in my body and I wanted every girl who hated their reflection to feel the same.
Fat Girls Guide: How would you describe the “Isserè Girl?
Isabelle Yong: The Isserè babe is definitely an eco-conscious girlie who wants to feel free, confident and comfortable in her body. As our fabrics are sustainable and buttery smooth perfect for sensitive girlies! Say goodbye to those nasty rashes.
Fat Girls Guide: We absolutely love your style, can you share a few of your favorite plus size fashion brands?
Isabelle Yong: I love shopping at Wear Nala it’s my go to for bodysuits and innerwear. For dresses and dressy fits for sure Meshki. Lastly Cider and Stax for everyday wear.
Fat Girls Guide: Can you breakdown your fit and sizing of Isserè?
Isabelle Yong: The sizing we offer is 4-22AU. We carry 7 sizes and have relabeled our XL-XXXL range to curvy, thick & voluptuous. I always hated being labelled as Extra, extra large etc. so I want to reclaim it to feel empowered and sexy in our curvier bodies.
Fat Girls Guide: We often hear about the struggle to find plus size sizewear but we’d love to hear about some of the challenges you have faced as a founder of a plus size swim brand, and how have you navigated them?
Isabelle Yong: I had many rejections with suppliers and manufacturers. I was told “you’re crazy to have 7 sizes, just do S,M,L” so I’m gonna start a bikini brand without my size ? I think not. As a curvy girl myself and a community of friends I gathered all the insight to create a bikini for Every-BODY! I was lucky to find someone who believed in my vision and saw the potential growth. I managed to overcome this issue with a lot of persistence and I’m so happy to see the results. Isserè is truly a dream come true for me.
Fat Girls Guide: What’s your vision for the future of Isserè and the impact you hope to make in the fat fashion space?
Isabelle Yong: I aim to spread the importance of self love and body acceptance by showing off instead of hiding one’s self. Isserè is here to normalise normal bodies and create a broader perspective of what beauty is, as every-BODY is a bikini body. We aim to achieve with each collection colours that make your melanin pop! From Vanilla to a delicious dark chocolate you will stand out like the goddess you are on your next vacay!
