A friend recently shared this article to her Facebook family and I wanted to pass it along. It really helps put things into perspective.
Ten years ago, plus sized models averaged between size 12 and 18. Today the need for diversity within the plus-size modeling industry continues to be question. The majority of plus-sized models on agency boards are between size 6 and 14, while to customers continue to express their dissatisfaction.
Katya Zharkova is the model pictured above. Curvaceous? Yes. Gorgeous? Radiantly so.
Now here’s the same model side by side with a typical fashion model.
Big difference.
It’s safe to say they chose a modestly thin model for comparison, too. Imagine Katya next to this model:
Or her…
Unfortunately, skinny is what the modeling industry wants. Despite the industry’s recent attempt to advocate healthy body images, rail-thin models still crowd runways and magazines. Even America’s Next Top Model preaches healthy weights…but yet, we get this:
True, it may be more efficient for models to be so thin so they’re able to fit into whatever clothes they get thrown into. But fact is, Americans love thin girls. That’s the society we live in and it will most likely stay that way for a very long time. As sad as it may be.
Too bad, too. Being healthy is so much more fun!
Much more beautiful than skin and bones, dontchya think?
**How have you loved your body lately?
{ 15 comments… read them below or add one }
I am so saddened by those models! How can someone think that THAT skinny is good looking?! I think the picture of the first model is beautiful.
I have loved my body by feeding it good food, and knowing that it still likes ice cream every once in a while. :-P
I don’t think bodies will ever not like ice cream! ;)
Love this post – thank you SO much for sharing!
I saw that second picture online a few days ago and was shocked by the difference; i’m still in awe. It’s amazing how society see’s how women should be, and how easily we can fall into it. Sad times.
This weekend I made sure to respect my body as it recovers from my continuous running injury, but helped strengthened it by doing some bootcamps and much needed yoga!
Ah, running injuries. All too familiar here myself! Hope you heal and are back to running (pain free!) soon. :)
A fantastic post, and great reminder! While I always think of how unhealthy these tiny girls are, I often forget to actively love my own body. Healthy = sexy!
Great post! its so painful to see those super thin models.
This is a great post, Mary!
Love the post. The second picture is super photo shopped though, you can find the original somewhere on the internet.
The skinny girl looks awful next to Katya – but the one in the black top is appalling; it’s so irresponsible to use models like that. At least with the America’s Next Top Model pic, it looks airbrushed and less realistic than her, she’s so unhealthy looking! Great post :-)
Glad you shared this… beauty has such a wider range than we tend to think. :)
Gosh those pictures of the catwalk models are awful- so sad for those girls that they have to lose their healthy for the sake of some clothes.
This is a great post. I really love your recent posts that prompt some real thought and analysis. The runway model look is sick. I understand that designers want their clothes to hang loose on the catwalk, but really? That photo above (4th one down) of the girl with her ribs protruding is appalling. It’s funny to me that, even after all the efforts to be politically correct in our country, there is still a minimum height for models in the mainstream. Charleston Fashion Week sent out a Facebook search for model. I was like, “Sweet! I want to do it!” But there was a minimum height of like 5’7″. I am 5’2″ (thin and lean, but healthy and toned, i.e. you can’t see my bones! But I think I’d make a decent model for Fashion Week) but right off the bat, they won’t acknowledge me because I’m short. I have a friend who is basically my twin, but she is striking, with red hair and unique features. She is building a portfolio of photoshoots courtesy of some great local photographers who think she’s gorgeous so they’re photographing her at no charge. She is scratched without question whenever she submits headshots and photos to various agencies because she’s only around 5’4″. The modeling industry has to be on the verge of change. It is literally the only niche of our society that hasn’t been poked and prodded as of yet. I don’t know what it will take to make a difference, but I think in due time, we’ll see some change. At least I HOPE we will…
I know what you mean! I’m 5’4″ and have always thought it to be so strange they don’t even consider shorter models. I guess it’d be another runway thing and that they all want to have about the same look walking down it..but for magazines it doesn’t seem like it would be that big a deal. America’s Next Top Model did a “petite” season, but even then I think the shortest girl was 5’6″!
gross gross gross!!
I remember idolizing those models for being so thin, and now I think they look just horrible. How could you do that to yourself?!
Thank you for reminding me that its not my body that makes me beautiful! Its everything else :)
And now I think I am going to go flex in the mirror to admire my biceps ;)