Style is the New Black

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In the past few months, the use of plus size models in fashion media has soared! V Magazine came out with its first “size issue” starring several plus-size models, Tyra Banks is hosting a “fiercely real” version of America’s Next Top Model only with plus-size ladies, and London-based designer Mark Fast used not-so-twiggy girls in his September 2009 runway show. While all this seems progressive, I have a feeling that the Plus Size Movement is perpetuated by a handful of ambitious people in the fashion industry, destined to dissipate in the next season or two. Hopefully I’m wrong. As it turns out, Tyra’s plus-size model search won’t appear on TV, nor was V’s January issue solely composed of plus-sizers. There was actually an article that juxtaposed skinny and plus-size models, as if V was trying to say “Hey, this can work even if you’re not a 00.” Duh, V. It seems like YOU’RE the one who’s in denial here.

Another thing I don’t understand about plus-size spreads is why they have a huge tendency to feature near-naked women. That’s not normal in mainstream ads or fashion spreads. Part of me thinks that it’s just a ploy to get attention, kind of like the way Italian Vogue featured an all-black issue last summer. As much as these are celebrations of culture and lifestyle that aren’t quite mainstream (and fantastic issues of both magazines, may I add), why do they need special issues devoted to them? If we really wanted to change fashion forever, these images would become a part of fashion magazines monthly. Who knows – maybe plus-sizers and black models were just making a big entrance to the fashion world and are here to stay. Stay tuned.