The Fashion Machine that is... I found this article the other day on Facebook and had to share it with my Facebook buddies, but it has been on my mind ever since and so I decided to blog about it. You can read the article thingy
here (and definitely go through all 29 or so pages, as annoying as it is.) I couldn't believe my eyes as I read through this. I mean I guess I could in a way, being what is considered a "plus size" model (even though I absolutely refuse to answer to this ridiculous name or participate in anything that is geared toward that phrase) because I have first hand experience with the rejections and so forth on the fact that I am not "skinny" and "model-sized" blah blah blah. But still, reading this and seeing the comments and the reactions of an industry that is all about making people beautiful disgusts me. I know I'm an idealist or some such thing for thinking that they would want everyone to be beautiful and not just the rail thin girls but that IS what I think. Things that stuck out in my mind from the article are things like "No one wants to see a round woman" and beautiful photos of curvy women that are lowered by giant bowls of food in the pic or "The thigh's the limit" comments. And how bout people quitting a runway show when there were plus sized models involved?? What is that all about?!? I did a web search and the general consensus that I found is that the average American woman is about a size 14. (which by the way, is 2-3 sizes ABOVE what is considered a "plus size" model) Why are designers NOT working their asses off to cater to the largest sales demographic? My personal opinion is that they are lazy and taking the easy way out. I mean think about it. How easy is it to design a piece of clothing for a Person so skinny that its like hanging it on a hanger? Of course its going to flow perfectly and fit just right because there isn't anything to worry about. Now think of how challenging it is to take a woman full of gorgeous curves and create a piece of clothing that flows just right and fits perfectly. Why aren't designers challenging themselves? Why are they taking the easy road? Why are the majority of plus size breakthroughs happening in other countries? We are a country full of gorgeous curvy women, why aren't we embracing that??? I want to put a little insert here saying that I am not in any way against thin, skinny, or typical model sized ladies. I think we are all amazing regardless of our body type and size. I just think that is about damn time that somebody starts catering to the norm and NOT the few. But than I already said I know its idealistic right??
So now, here is a picture of a curvy woman (namely, ME) isn't it horrendous and awful? Shouldn't there be less of this in the world?

*photo by the amazing
Siofra Photography