Plus Size Publicity Stunt

Yet again, Canadian fashion designer, Mark Fast, sent plus size models down the London runway. And again, Fast said that all women, no matter what size, can wear his designs. And again, Fast dressed his size 10 to 12 models in skin tight designs.

Using plus-size models is a very positive move; bringing attention to the unrealistic and unhealthy thin standard of fashion, and showing how big is beautiful. But to effectively communicate this, plus sized models should be dressed in a way that compliments both their body type and the designs. Dressing them in too-tight clothing does not do either.

Plus size model heavy-weight, Crystal Renn walked for Fast this season. At 5-foot-9, a 38C bra size, 30-inch waist and 42-inch hips, the former skinny model has found success in her larger size and is now a role model for all sizes of models.

Featured beautifully in Vogue, Harper's Bazaar and Elle, this is how other designers dressed Renn:

Harper's Bazaar http://www.harpersbazaar.com.au/assets/HB_080409_Curvy03.jpg







 

                                                                  Elle http://ip.yoho.cn/9369894.jpg

Italian Vogue http://i.models.com/oftheminute/archives/images/crystal_italian_vogue_1.jpg

And this is how Fast did it:

 http://www.zimbio.com/pictures/pH8HRQ-lySS/Mark+Fast+Runway+LFW+Autumn+Winter+2010/J__5ETwewZu/Crystal+Renn

Plus size models belong in the fashion world, as notably represented in this month’s issue of V magazine, but designers and stylists have to recognize that not all designs flatter a larger body type.

By dressing plus sized models in uncomplimentary designs it negatively displays the clothing, the model, and makes the designers choice seem more like a publicity stunt than an effective statement.