As you can see from the above photo I was able to snag a copy of the November 2009 issue of Glamour featuring the plus models that has been creating such a buzz over the Internet the past few weeks.
The first thing I noticed even before I read the article was a phrase on the spine “The new, unskinny supermodels! Idols for all of us, page 198″ At this point I knew I was in for a treat. Before I get into my thoughts on the piece I will repeat the editorial sentiments of the magazine. They are not about being a “plus” magazine but celebrating women of all sizes in both print and on the runway.
My first thoughts on seing the photo of the ladies was one of admiration because of the courage it took for them to bare their bodies for the camera. The article read as more of an affirmation of women of all sizes being accepted fully including stretch marks and belly pudges.
The part I did not know was part of the problem with the rampant size discrimination is systemic in that the fashion world thinks print modeling should be about selling a fantasy image and women will not buy clothing if the models look like them.
Not only in my opinion is this the biggest load of crap but it allows designers to say they don’t carry above a size 12 and gives modeling agencies the excuse t o only work with size 0-4 models because those are the sizes designers send to photo shoots.
Learning more about the individual ladies in the Glamour article educated me as a man and a fashion world outsider to the realiztion ladies are tired of pretending to be happy with starving themselves to reach and unhealthy size. Additionally, it is ok to embrace the size that you are period and if it happens to have some curves and bumps that fine as well.
Though as some of the ladies said in the article that they don’t really consider themselves as plus models and I would agree they do accept the fact of breaking new ground in showing the world haigh fashion models can be any size. If you have not got your copy of Galmour I strongly suggest you head to the newstands now and get a copy before they are gone!
Glamor quotient is fully utilized by these plus size women. It is just the change for better.
Personally, I’m more inclined to seek out a garment, try it on, or order it when I see it on a plus-size model because it assures me that the item would actually do something for me…. and I’m EXPONENTIALLY less likely to cost-conscious when buying something that i know works on a plus size body. And I have many plus-size girlfriends who feel similiarly.
So I really think that whole “Fashion sells the fantasy” crap is hooey! If anything, it’s costing them more sales. Fantasy is all fine and good, but this is real money I spend here and I’ll spend it on products that assure me will fit and complement me. The Ken Lagerfelds for the world are free to fantasize about getting my money if he wishes… I refuse to fantasize about being the waifs he sends walking down runways.
I love this photo. I would totally hang a poster of it in my office.
.-= Moe´s last blog ..New Tees at Threadless =-.
It is a very cool photo.