Recently there has been numerous articles and editorials written on the subject of plus sized models being used in the fashion industry. Several designers such as Mark Fast and John Galliano have used plus size models in their shows. Fast, a Canadian designer recently caused quite a controversy by deciding to use size 12 and 14 models on the runway at London Fashion week. This decision almost caused the show to fall apart when a stylist and creative designer walked away from his team claiming creative differences over the use of plus size models, just three days before the event was to happen. Luckily, the show was saved when several freelance designers jumped on board to help make the event a success.
With several models dying from eating disorders, the pressure to make changes in the industry is slowly happening as Milan fashion week opened with a plus-size show and the announcement of a new code of conduct, under which models will have to carry a health certificate showing a body mass index (BMI) of 18 or higher.
Italian designer Giorgio Armani, writing in the UK’s Independent newspaper before London Fashion Week, admitted he preferred models on the slender side because “the clothes I design and the sort of fabrics I use need to hang correctly on the body”. Correctly in the eyes of whom, and what size allows a garment to fit correctly? Who decides these criteria for the female population? Well it’s the modeling agencies, designers and fashion magazines who hold the decision making power.
In the September issue of Glamour Magazine is a nude photo of Lizzie Miller, a plus size model. The reaction by readers was so overwhelming and positive that Glamour ran another feature, only this time it was a multi page spread of 7 nude plus size models. Finally, a fashion magazine depicting healthy looking models.
Lerato Moloi, a successful South African model and former Face of Africa finalist who was told to lose weight when she went to New York, told the BBC News website;
It’s a problem that has been going on for decades but the designers still use underweight girls because they can – and they will as long as they have a clientele that prefer it”.
After seeing the response to the spread in Glamour Magazine, there clearly is a clientele and an audience out there to support using healthier models of all sizes in the fashion industry.
Should plus size models be used more in the fashion industry? Leave a comment below:
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