Marc Jacobs have unofficially announced that they are planning to launch a range of “plus size” clothing. This would make them the first fashion house to offer such a collection. With plus-size they are actually referring to size 14 (Eu 42) and above, not exactly huge is it? I think the UK average size is about a 14 anyway so perhaps they should think about calling it “normal” or “non-skinny” size clothing. I mean, isn’t it about time that fashion houses offer clothes for all body shapes and sizes? It’s like presuming that all the people who can afford to buy their clothes are going to be thin too! This isn’t to say that they should only make size 12 and up either. I understand that there are naturally thin people too and this isn’t a negative thing. But with regards to the modelling industry, are they representing these different groups of people? I mean, how many plus size models can you think of? The only one which springs to my mind is Sophie Dahl.
When I was looking into the so-called plus size models, I found this website called Plus-Size Models Unite. To be honest I was expecting larger women…. Looking through the site, most of the models are a size 12 so it still makes the rest of us feel ‘ plus-size’ compared. I don’t want to criticise them though, I do think the site is a great idea and there should be more things like this around.
A few years ago there was a lot of controversy at Fashion Weeks worldwide as they banned ‘overly thin models’. But what do they really mean by overly thin? Size 0, -2, -4, who really knows! Although this ban raised some strong opinions and some shocking pictures, like this one of Italian model, Oliviero Toscani, it doesn’t actually seem like that much has changed. The majority of models, especially those on the catwalk, still look a few sizes smaller than the average girl on the street and eating disorders are still a very real problem.
This weekend I was actually at the beach and seeing so many bodies in their swimwear really made me realise that no 2 bodies are the same! So why are we constantly trying to look like people in the movies, magazines or on the catwalk?Who are we doing it for? For ourselves or because we want to fit in to what is considered as more attractive or better looking? If it’s for yourself to feel healthier and be fitter then that’s great but if it’s to look like the models on the catwalk or the people on TV then maybe it’s time to stop. Do you really want to end up like Oliviero Toscani? Or do you really want to restrict yourself to being in the gym all day or to not eating desert at a restaurant? Is it really worth it? I don’t think so anyway…. so go grab the spoon and get the ice cream out, it’s only natural!
Just Lauren, no Ralph.... 