The Plus Size Revolution: Taking Baby Steps

Ever since plus size model Lizzie Miller graced the pages of Glamour’s November issue, magazines and designers alike have come out in support of plus size women in large numbers. Glamour vowed to feature more plus size models in future issues and in large part they have kept that promise. In February, Canadian designer Mark Fast opted to use a mix or regular and plus size models in his show at this year’s London Fashion Week. Because Fast designs clingy knitwear pieces, his choice, though risky, proved that larger women can look just as good as smaller women in the same beautiful outfits. It’s clear that with regard to seeing full-figured women represented more often in the media, the conversation has started.

But with this new dialogue comes old and new objections. Last year, when Fast used plus size models at another show, both his creative director and lead stylist walked of the project, refusing to work with the chosen models. In the April issue of French Elle,
model Tara Lynn poses on the cover in an all white ensemble looking effortlessly flawless. In the almost 20-page-spread that follows, Lynn continues to pose with grace and distinction in all of her photos, but critics of the spread are quick to point out a problem with the first image that opens the layout.

In it, Lynn appears naked with only a queen sized wicker chair to keep her company. While no one has anything negative to say about the beautiful curves she sports in the photo, writer’s at New York Magazine are questioning why every time a plus size model appears in a magazine, photographers feel compelled to shoot her naked. While those in favor of the size acceptance movement would say the nude appearance of Lynn is a true embrace of fuller figures everywhere, critics argue that continually shooting plus size women naked in fashion magazine’s only further ostracizes the models and the women who look like them (Note that the picture that sparked this revolution featured Lizzie Miller sitting almost completely bare and cross legged).

In her new memoir Hungry, Crystal Renn theorizes right along with the critics that, while good efforts have been put forth, more must be done to make women of normal size the rule rather than the exception. “We want something that’s going to last,” writes Renn. “I don’t think it’s about showing a roll– oh my God it’s a roll!” In an interview with NationalPost.com she said “it’s about taking the focus off the roll and onto a beautiful woman who’s a size 8, 10, 12 whatever her size is, talented and gorgeous, that inspires people.” Anyone interested in size acceptance and seeing this plus size revolution continue should emphatically agree.

You would also like to read Viva La Revolucion! Plus Size Takes A Step Forward.

Sources:
http://nymag.com/daily/fashion/2010/03/french_elle_devoted_the_april.html

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1252621/London-Fashion-Week-Mark-Fast-sends-plus-size-models-catwalk.html

http://network.nationalpost.com/NP/blogs/theampersand/archive/2010/03/31/lg-fashion-week-talking-sample-sizing.aspx