Not entirely in a gay way, but a little in a gay way, because frothy whipped cream curves and pooching bellies are the things that tip my Kinsey scale firmly into bisexual.
But when I saw the above photo from this Plus Model Magazine spread that seems to be aimed at spreading awareness about unhealthy body standards in the modeling industry, all I could think about was that I couldn't remember the last time I saw a size 12 model with clothes on.
I can't be the first to acknowledge that while plus-size models are working and breaking into mainstream markets more than ever before, plus-size clothes haven't followed. Or any clothes. Which is funny, since last I checked, the whole purpose of models was to show clothing.
I'm not really picking on Plus Model Magazine, since they're obviously quite invested in the plus-size fashion industry. Their spread just reminded me of this one:
And this one:
And this one:
It must be at least partly because said clothes don't actual exist. Again, I'm not exactly making a revolutionary observation that most designers don't design for plus bodies. But "Let's toss them out there naked" seems like a poor solution to a lack of non-sample sizes.
Not to mention that nudity seems to call undue attention to the model's bodies. I'd rather see average-size ladies scattered through the magazine's regular fashion spreads then stripped down for a special section.
Because, yes, plus-size bodies are so very sexy, but they most also necessarily be functional. We can't spend all our days lolling about in the glamorous nude. At least not at work.
So while I really appreciate any and all inclusion of diverse bodies in media, can the plus size models put some clothes on please? All the other models get to, and sometimes those studios are cold!
Sincerely,
The Fatties
