PLUS Model Magazine Sets Sail With Full Figured Fashion Week

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After reading this entire piece I was extremely frustrated by the lack of action that is being taken in the fashion industry. It seemed like everyone was pointing fingers but no one was offering a solution. I’m disgusted that the industry has lost it’s vision. These days the images we see are of beautiful “hangers’ who are trying so hard to maintain a prepubescent look in order to continue working as a model.

During the evenings Q & A portion, Anna Wintour asked the question “What can we do to help the problem”? The real answer? Nothing is being done right now.

The truth is that the models that you see on the runways are age 15 to 17 and are weighing as little as 110 pounds and sometimes even less. The measurements that are required for the tiny sample sizes are those of young little boys. The details are enough to make you cringe!!

The fashion industry does not include plus size models for many reasons some of which are sample sizes and because we are not their target audience. Plus size women are deemed to be unhealthy and not fashionable. Yet, I find it amazing that they are using models who are CLEARLY NOT healthy and unhealthy cannot be fashionable. You can’t be healthy when you can’t eat anything other than one yogurt a day, your hair is falling out or have to resort to drugs or working out 14 hours a day to maintain your “model weight”.

While the plus size industry has come a long way, we still have a long way to go. As we continue to move forward, we must speak and increase the volume in which we express ourselves. Everyone should be writing to the magazines, bloggers, designers and commenting on magazine blogs. They are listening! Glamour did not realize the “Lizzy” picture would be so huge until the women on their blog commented so strongly, it was then that it was taken to print. How many of you emailed the editors at V Magazine thanking them for the Size Issue?

So often we want change not realizing that without our voices and actions nothing will change. We all count. Every single one of us.

Don’t let another day pass you by without your voice being heard.

Read the entire article here.

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1. Anorexic Model Dead – Plus Size Model Asks America: “Who is to Blame?”
2. Size Specific… What Sizes are Considered ‘Plus Size’?
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No matter how controversial the subject, I am opening up important dialogue as I think this is the only way we are going to move our industry forward… that being said, I received an email from a Fashion Industry Professional who wanted to share her views on the many conversations we have been having in the PLUS Blog this past month… but wanted to remain anonymous… and I can respect that given the fact that they are truly asking some important questions… and ones that I think we need to take a look at… as an industry, and as women who want to thrive within this industry… so have a read and let me know what you think!

So a clothing designer wrote:

Thank you for opening up the lines of communication in this way.

The reason why I’m choosing to be anonymous is not because I do not stand by my words – I just do not want to have hate mail sent to my inbox. I know that my views may not be the most popular. I’m a clothing designer for many years and my sample sizes used to be a size 18 but when I realized that the shows and magazines could not use the clothing I had to make them smaller in order for their models to wear them.

When I want to venture out and use other models or bigger models and I start to look at the modeling forums on the internet there are many models that are size 18 and bigger that do not seem ready. As a prospective client we want to see the model show how comfortable she is in front of the camera without being inappropriate. I receive submissions to my website daily and I can tell you that not many have impressed me at all. Some may be ready but are not the look I’m going for – but some have potential but just have not made the connection between what is required of a professional model. I have to question “are the larger size models ready for a real modeling career if the door would open for them?” I don’t blame them in the least since the doors have not been opened to them freely but in this life if you want to achieve something you have to be prepared.

Thoughts???

Let’s keep the lines of communication open to move our industry forward!

Best…

Maddy

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1. 18PLUS Models… PLUS Model Mag Pushing the Envelope
2. “My Wish For This Industry, To Embrace Wider Diversity of Models” – Our Interview with Sage
3. PLUS Model Magazine Welcomes Susan Georget Back Into The Plus Size Industry

Thank you for the amazing feedback over the past few weeks… I’m so thankful that you have chosen to use your “voice” to let us know what you want to see.

Once we began to see the feedback that we were getting PLUS decided to again push the envelope and we have already started to put things in motion in order to feature plus size women size 18 and above which we will call our “18PLUS” models.

I’m personally going to challenge all aspiring models size “18 PLUS” to research the industry and prepare themselves. It’s sad to say but most submissions from models sizes 18 and above are overly sexy and not appropriate for the modeling industry. I want to see the models that are ready, that are not just shooting in jeans and t-shirts with a fierce face. I want to see slacks, colorful tops, dresses, great styling and smiles. If you are serious about your career and about being the women that will change this industry then you will have to come prepared from head to toe.

We are a magazine and therefore we cannot groom models personally but we can give you the information you need and the platform where you will shine.

What do I look for when I’m choosing a model for an editorial? Does the model know how to connect with the camera? Does she know how to move? Where are her hands- are they always on her hips? Can she change her facial expressions? Has she been testing with photogrpahers?

This is important for me to know because I will then know that you know the basics of modeling – you will know what a models bag is, will know to be punctual and to come prepared for a full day of shooting and in turn give us images that we will be able to use.

So ladies – let everyone know that PLUS will be reaching out to the 18PLUS models.

Best…

Maddy

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1. Plus fashion Industry Weighing In: Are Larger Size Models READY to Model?
2. Rosie Mercado In PLUS Model Magazine’s 18PLUS Editorial – July 2010
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