When I read this quote it made me think about the industry that I have been covering for the last few years. “Designer Douglas Hannant told the camera, “I think plus-sized women can be beautiful, but it’s not my ideal on the runway because I’m not doing a plus-size line. I feel that a model is like an athlete. She needs to be in runway shape.”
I started to think about the buzz over larger models that started a few months ago within the plus community and is starting to resonate out to the straight size community. Models like Crystal Renn opened the door and though she is not considered plus anymore her name is still connected to the movement. When I say movement I mean an event that has grown to the point that it can no longer be contained by those commonly associated with it and it is being run by the people groups.
With that in mind here are my reasons behind why plus modeling has grown to the point that it has:
- People are tired of seeing models that do not reflect real life
- Ladies in particular are no longer afraid to show of their curves
- Manufacturers are starting to realize the population is bigger
- Designers are creating for larger sizes
- The designers themselves are plus size
- Companies like IGIGI and JIBRI are using larger models
- Models are receiving instruction from programs like The Plus Academy™
- The average dress size is a 14
- Average weight for ladies today is 165lbs
- Average bra size is a 36C with a price of $19.99
Overall lets just call this movement what it really is. With the help of ladies like Rosie Mercardo, Teslyn Butler, Ashely Graham, Whitney Thompson, Chenese Lewis, Fluvia Larceda, Mia Amber, and others plus size modeling is firmly in the mainstream. Economically the plus size fashion segment is the ONLY portion of the fashion industry that is showing significant growth.
With that in mind people who just a few months ago snubbed the plus size niche are seeing the dollars on the wall. All I can say is that those of use who have been covering the community especially the modeling industry welcome you to the dance but do not expect us to take a back seat to you.
My first wake-up call to “size snobbery” came when I was watching some of the first seasons of Project Runway. The designers were pitching fits because they were going to have to design for their mothers and they didn’t know how to design for “real women”. That opened my eyes to the designer thought process. I never could understand why it was so hard to find clothes to fit me until I saw how the designers think.
I am so glad, happy, excited, etc to see new plus size designers and models out there now. If one more woman sees herself as beautiful today, then mission accomplished.
I think that the fasion marketing business is waking up very slowly to the fact that they have missed a HUGE market by ignoring the fuller figured women of the world. I will hate to see the feeding frenzy that results when they all wake up.
As a plus size woman myself I am very pleased with my size and I give all plus size women the highest adoration. God made us all in his image and likeness. We full sized women are skillfully and wonderfully made. Fashion today have to give us our props cause we are sucessful mothers, businsess women and one day Presidents. Whether the fashion gives us our rightful place or not we are here. Love us and step back and watch God move on our behave LOL!
As a plus-size woman (size 24), whereas I applaud the efforts made here to market to plus-size women, we still have a ways to go. The fact that Crystal Renn lost weight is tantamount to the fact that once a plus-size model achieves a bit of stardom, she craves into the pressure and loses weight. When are people going to wakeup and realize that not everyone is meant to be a size 2 and you don’t have to be a size 2 to be beautiful and healthy!
The Plus Size Industry has grown alot I am currently running for Ms. Louisiana Plus America. I use to be a size 8 but now I am 16 and I feel no matter what size or shape you are we as women are beautiful. Society has created the picture of what women should look like and not want women really look like in the everyday world. You have to open your eyes up and realize women of all shapes buy clothes so how do you just closed up the modeling industry just to smaller women.
I love thin women, I love thick women, I love different colors of skins, I love different heights. Women come in so many wonderful shapes and sizes. It’s about time we see more diversity. There has been lots of growth but there is still so much more to happen. It’s a good start though.
I truly believe that all women are beautiful because we were all designed & created that way by the master designer, God himself. I like to use models that are of all sizes. I have used models that were a size 12 and models that are a size 30. They all have equal beauty. I also like to use photos and images that have not been photo shopped. I look at stretch marks & skin blemishes as beauty marks. Women love to see women that look like them & are not ashamed of their size, but embrace & celebrate their beauty. Although we are the majority, we may never be able to change the industry, but we are able to change the way we see ourselves. Your beauty is not determined by your weight, size, relationship status, nor anyone else’s opinion of you. Be You, Love You. ~Rosalyn
http://www.rosalynwomack.com