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Plus-Size Models - is it getting out of control?

10/08/2021 740 Views Arts, Culture & Media Add to Favourite 3 Comments 9
 
There has been a recent shift in the way magazines and brands promote themselves, carefully selecting models who break away from the old-age stereotype that comes to mind. We now have models with disabilities, models who wear religious clothing and models from ethnic minority groups. However, the biggest transformation lies with the brands who are opting to showcase plus-size models, but of course this has been met with its fair share of criticism: "it's unnatural", "no one wants to see curvy women", "it will force girls to think being overweight is empowering". 


One famous example is Tess Holliday's 2018 Cosmopolitan cover. It was amazing to see someone who wasn't super thin, and confident in their skin, defying modern day beauty standards. Yet many argued that it's promoting obesity and dangerous eating disorders. Body positivity has come a long way, especially for women, but where do we draw the line, it looks like we've gone from one extreme (anorexia) right to the other (obesity). Why can't we have normal representation!? It seems as though brands have such unrealistic, warped views of women and their bodies, you're either a size 0 or a size 24, no in-between.


Modelling still has a long way to go when it comes to inclusivity, when was the last time we saw an older model or models who aren't 'conventionally attractive' in mainstream media? It's a great step bringing in bigger models but are they actually helping? Are plus size models empowering or simply unhealthy - promoting the same unhealthy body standards and eating disorders as the ultra-thin models of the 90s? 
Zee

 

3 Comments

  • karimofthecrop

    13/08/2021

    I also feel that even when there are women who are "older", they tend to be women who have all the help and money in the world to remain looking "wow"- e.g. Jlo, who is 53 and looks amazing- but again, it's not realistic! These celebs have the access and money to the best trainers, surgeons and makeup artists/hairdressers/chefs in the world.

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    • Butterflies

      15/08/2021

      This Morning programme is a good example of portraying real women. Their segment on fashion includes the public. The people who watch the programme and feel comfortable coming onto the shop and modelling the latest trends. These women are all sizes, races etc. It’s lovely to see someone my shape and size and hearing about different tips what would suit our bodies. Their are some amazing examples of body positivity but not all on the catwalk. I’m not sure about other tv programmes but This Morning have got it right! Now we need the famous and rich designers to start modelling the average person. Eve with Asian / Pakistani models I have seen way too many skinny/ slim models. Where I have seen a more average or larger women they never the front page or ‘star’. I do agree their needs to be a good balance and ensure fashion industry is responsible and not portraying extremes (skinny v obese) HOWEVER ‘obese’ or ‘skinny’ people aren’t always by choice. We must consider health issues and not everyone chooses to be the body size they are.

      Report Comment

    • Butterflies

      15/08/2021

      This Morning programme is a good example of portraying real women. Their segment on fashion includes the public. The people who watch the programme and feel comfortable coming onto the shop and modelling the latest trends. These women are all sizes, races etc. It’s lovely to see someone my shape and size and hearing about different tips what would suit our bodies. Their are some amazing examples of body positivity but not all on the catwalk. I’m not sure about other tv programmes but This Morning have got it right! Now we need the famous and rich designers to start modelling the average person. Eve with Asian / Pakistani models I have seen way too many skinny/ slim models. Where I have seen a more average or larger women they never the front page or ‘star’. I do agree their needs to be a good balance and ensure fashion industry is responsible and not portraying extremes (skinny v obese) HOWEVER ‘obese’ or ‘skinny’ people aren’t always by choice. We must consider health issues and not everyone chooses to be the body size they are.

      Report Comment

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