Personal empowerment workshops, fitness advice and full-figured fashion shows encouraged women to embrace their curves in downtown Toronto on Saturday afternoon.

The Fuller Woman Expo, now in its second year, showcased clothing from international retailers and an appearance by plus-sized model Mia Amber at the Delta Chelsea Inn. Women of all ages and sizes congregated to peruse clothing and jewellery vendors, and participate in seminars dedicated to promoting a “sexy at any size” attitude.

Organizer Georgia Greenwood has provided plus-size women with image consultant services for the past nine years, establishing The Fuller Woman Inc. to empower plus-size women and provide education and motivation. Traditionally, those involved in size-acceptance movements have been focused on changing the bias towards fat people. Conversely, The Fuller Woman Expo is focusing on changing women’s self-esteem and attitudes toward their own bodies.

“People are definitely aware of the plus-size women ‘Curvy Revolution’ right now,” Greenwood said. “There is definitely a lot of support.”

This year, The Fuller Woman Expo obtained corporate sponsorship from U.S. retailer Lane Bryant Outlet. Greenwood’s partner in The Fuller Woman Expo is based in Detroit, where they will hold the first U.S. Expo later this month. That event sold out two weeks ago, in contrast to lower attendance achieved in Toronto over last year’s inaugural event.

“Because The U.S. is larger and more open and accepting,” Greenwood explained, “we’re farther ahead when it comes to the plus-size community. People want to see the movement push forward.”

Greenwood feels that, despite the buzz surrounding the event in Toronto and the higher level of interest and recognition, encouraging larger women to attend size acceptance events can be challenging.

“When a person has been downtrodden so much,” she explains, “[they] feel as if ‘why even bother’.”

Through perseverance, Greenwood believes that more women will be encouraged to participate in events celebrating their full figures and will benefit from the boost in self-confidence.

Recruiters from Insight Productions were also at the expo, encouraging women to attend a casting call for the Canadian version of the hit television show How to Look Good Naked, which will air in January on W Network.