New editorial in Plus Model Magazine reveals shocking statistics

Jan 12, 2012 21:01 GMT  ·  By

As a response to the size 0 trend, plus-size models emerged on the scene, starting to pop in conversation regularly. In a new editorial, Plus Model Magazine argues for variety in fashion, stressing that most models now used have BMIs of anorexics.

To back up this rather startling claim, the magazine also offers statistics, showing how fashion has changed in recent years, turning away from the real woman, towards a manufactured, unnaturally skinny and probably unhealthy female ideal.

Most plus-size models now working in the industry – and labeled as such – are no heavier than women you can see walking past you on the street, and having them called “plus-size” can confirm, beyond any doubt, that the industry is skewed.

“Twenty years ago the average fashion model weighed 8% less than the average woman. Today, she weighs 23% less,” of the statistics provided in the aforementioned editorial says.

“Ten years ago plus-size models averaged between size 12 and 18. Today the need for size diversity within the plus-size modeling industry continues to be questioned. The majority of plus-size models on agency boards are between a size 6 and 14, while the customers continue to express their dissatisfaction,” the magazine argues.

Women, real women, are no longer represented in fashion. If you want to buy clothes or beauty products or anything else advertised in the magazines and the media in general, your sole point of reference is a woman whose body has nothing in common with yours.

Because of this, pressure on women to look a certain way is incredible. They're constantly told (re-programmed) that the skinnier, the better – and there's no way to compromise on that.

“50% of women wear a size 14 or larger, but most standard clothing outlets cater to sizes 14 or smaller,” the editorial further says.

Of course, nothing will change overnight and to expect the fashion industry to suddenly start using real women in campaigns and on the runways would be absurd.

However, Plus Model Magazine argues, change can be promoted by supporting only those companies, designers, publications that promote diversity with their models, not those who are fixated on size 0.

“There is nothing wrong with our bodies. We are bombarded with weight-loss ads every single day, multiple times a day because it’s a multi-billion dollar industry that preys on the fear of being fat,” the publication says.

“Not everyone is meant to be skinny, our bodies are beautiful and we are not talking about health here because not every skinny person is healthy,” Plus Model Magazine adds.