Plus-sized is on everyone's tongues at the moment - the industry has seen a boom in the use of plus-sized models, hoping to reach women and help them feel comfortable with their curves. Do plus-sized models have a place in fashion long term? That remains to be seen.
Basic marketing suggests that fashion is all part of a luxury lifestyle, that illusion of glamour, the will to achieve what is thought of as beautiful. This is, for the most part, what sells clothes. When you look at a fashion show, you want to see how you could look - beautiful, skinny, rich. Not "average". Plus-sized is deemed as "average" in most people's mindset.One of the main reasons we have small sized models is simply because clothes look better on their small, petite frames. Lumps and bumps can be off putting, and again, it brings the viewer/potential buyer back to reality.
The other argument, that plus-sized models could prevent possible anorexia sufferers from developing the disease, seems slightly off the point. It might make a few feel better about their bodies, but it is far more likely to promote obesity.
Obesity is far more widespread then anorexia, with astonishing (and growing) figures of a worsening problem. Perhaps those overweight can feel comfortable with their weight, but it could mean that the problem will just be embraced, and deemed acceptable, which could lead to huge health risks.
 |
| Plus-sized models protesting at Australian Fashion Week |
At Australian Fashion week this year, plus-sized models protested outside, disgusted that the use of plus-sized models has been cut down, and now the designers are using models that are size 12 and under.
They felt that they should be there to represent "real women", and were outraged that they were not chosen to be used again this year.
 |
| Plus-sized models on the runway at Mark Fast |
Is this just a trend that designers and magazines are using to make women purchase their goods? Or is it really a revolutionary way of thinking? In someways, it feels as though everyone is trying to jump on the bandwagon is some way, hoping to stir some controversy (and publicity!).
It remains to be seen if plus-sized will stay in vogue, but it's popularity has already begun to decline on the catwalks, and magazines are beginning to loose interest not that most have covered the topic in some form. For me, plus-sized is too honest, too real - I prefer fashion to be about the possibilities, fantasy, beauty and the artfully presented designer's creations. That sort of elusive beauty that you can only dream of holding onto when you see it, that ethereal glamour that you can never possess but will always desire, the perfection of the clothing and the model, working as one to display the designer's piece of art.
Finally some change, not only skeletons
ReplyDelete"It might make a few feel better about their bodies, but it is far more likely to promote obesity."
ReplyDeleteIf Ms Kingston honestly believes that these models are obese .. she needs to have eyes checked! And let me remind you what art used to be...
I think she is about size 12 dont you think?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venus_de_Milo
I never said the models were obese, I said that it might promote obesity. Some of the models have some obvious fat on show (see the model naked in Elle above), which could lead to health problems, especially if people start to believe that having layers of fat is ok and put on more weight then one of these models - there is so many diseases/health issues linked to this.
ReplyDeleteThe Venus de Milo has a waist size of 26inches, which makes her a size 8.
I don't think it should be about 'promoting' obesity or anorexia, I think it should be about embracing people for who they are, large or small, in their natural forms, and showing people that it's okay to look how you look, without skinny people getting flamed for their fast metabolism, and curvier women feeling disgusting because they don't look how they'd like to. There is definately pressure in society to look thin and pretty, but there's always been pressure to look good, no matter what size was fashionable at the time. Fashion, however, should stick to their coat-hanger models, so that that clothes can flow and hang how they were intended to.
ReplyDeleteYou are so beautiful.......I like this body!!!
ReplyDelete"Fashion, however, should stick to their coat-hanger models, so that that clothes can flow and hang how they were intended to."
ReplyDeleteI loved your comment until that sentence. The only reason the models on the runways and in the magazines are so thin is because the sample sizes the designers make are a US size 2-4. Why can't the sample sizes be bigger? And don't give the the, "To save money and cloth." excuse.
"Some of the models have some obvious fat on show (see the model naked in Elle above), which could lead to health problems, especially if people start to believe that having layers of fat is ok and put on more weight then one of these models - there is so many diseases/health issues linked to this."
Why can't the designers create artistic stylish clothing to fit around the curves of women's bodies? Why can't the same styling we see on the runway be viewed as beautiful on someone with curves? Why is being skinny okay but being fat not? Did you ever stop to think about the health issues one might fall into attempting to be extremely thin? What is beauty and why must the ideal size be a US 0-2?
FYI: Most "plus-size" models aren't actually plus-size. They are average 8-12's.
"There is definitely pressure in society to look thin and pretty, but there's always been pressure to look good, no matter what size was fashionable at the time."
Yes, there's always pressure to look good but why must it be so extremely unrealistic and dangerous as what we see on the runways and magazines, right now? I don't mean just undernourished/malnourished models but also overweight/obese. I don't agree with those that bash models whom are super skinny then praise those whom are really fat, vice versa.
Btw, all magazines and television ads are retouched/digitally altered and even before that the models get airbrushed, pulled, stuffed, pinched and polished into dolls.
"I never said the models were obese, I said that it might promote obesity. Some of the models have some obvious fat on show (see the model naked in Elle above), which could lead to health problems, especially if people start to believe that having layers of fat is ok and put on more weight then one of these models - there is so many diseases/health issues linked to this."
ReplyDeleteAre you kidding me? There are just as many health issues linked to being severely underweight as there are to being severely overweight. And even more than either of those conditions linked to stress. WOMEN COME IN ALL SHAPES AND SIZES. "Healthy" is not represented by one single cookie cutter female figure. It involves many variables and isn't negated by the presence of fat or a lot of fat.
Some will always be naturally bigger than others and this does not mean unhealthy. "Plus sized" fashion models don't even contribute to the obesity epidemic. Why don't we start with high fructose corn syrup, sedentary lifestyles and jobs, high stress rates (cortisol the stress hormone promotes fat storage), overuse of medications both over the counter and prescription, lack of education on health and wellness and the list goes on.
I wear a size 10. I have a BSc in Nutritional and Nutraceutical Sciences and I currently work as a professional dance performer and instructor. I perform 25 minute solo sets and I have some fat on me. I'm also considered by medical standards "healthy". I FEEL HEALTHY! Imagine that? Nor does looking at a "plus sized" model make me think "Awesome! It's totally okay to be obese".