This year Glamour magazine has made a conscious effort to show more “real women” and plus-sized models. They showed curves where we aren’t used to seeing them (except perhaps when looking in our own mirrors), and bodies of different sizes and shapes, but in the fashion world, plus-sized models are really just average sized women. (Would we consider a size 8 to be plus-sized? Hopefully not.) And there were still loads of skinny minnies gracing the adjacent pages. A good start, yes, but a long ways to go in the acceptance of varied women’s bodies. But then again, there’s the issue of designers catering to size 4s, and who is going to dress the ladies who can’t fit into couture. V magazine may answer that question with their upcoming January issue. “Big, little, pint-size, plus-size — every body is beautiful,” says V editor-in-chief Stephen Gan. “And this issue is out to prove it.” Plus-sized models like Crystal Renn (that’s her on the left) will be shot in designer garments by renowned fashion photographers Terry Richardson, Bruce Weber and–whoa–Karl Lagerfeld. Has the Chanel designer changed his tune? Though Lagerfeld has dressed the plus-size singer of The Gossip, Beth Ditto, he was recently quoted as saying, “No one wants to see curvy women. You’ve got fat mothers with their bags of chips sitting in front of the television and saying that thin models are ugly.” Yikes. That’s not the positive reinforcement we’re looking for. You better be playing nice, Karl! While fashion magazines and designers may not cater to women of all body types, it would be nice if they started to broaden their spectrum of coverage to more accurately reflect their consumers. Sure the fit models may look nice in high fashion, but how cool would it be to regularly see women like each and every one of ourselves on the glossy pages of a magazine? We commend those who are taking a conscious step in this direction. Article by Jezebel
About The Author
Patricia Colli, Editor of Beutiful Magazine, is a human rights activist, equality advocate, and promoter of health, acceptance and wellbeing. Having experienced disordered eating, unhealthy exercise patterns and poor body image, she is especially passionate about shedding light on eating disorders and the power of body acceptance.
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