Is This a Plus-Size Model?
Sunday May 4, 2008
I recently posted over at Dapper Diva about Katie Halchishick, and even though she's often used for plus modeling, I wonder if she really "should." She may look amazing (and be one of my favorites), but at the end of the day, she's a 10-12. Just like average models are a few sizes smaller than women sizes 8 to 10, do you think Kate represents a plus "ideal"? I adore her, but I'm feeling a bit skeptical after reviewing her stats. . .
Please let me know what you think below.
Comments
No argument, she is beautiful and what I would ideally look like.
The reason we have clothing models is so that you can see the way clothing looks on a person, but plus-size clothing doesn’t start until size 14, right? How could a consumer accurately get an idea of the fit of clothing if the person wearing it is so small that it has to be altered to fit her at all? The consumer is not going to look like that in the clothes, and because she’s smaller than anyone the clothes are made for, you don’t get an accurate idea of perspective or scale. It’s deceptive to use her for plus sized modeling.
I agree, and find it very frustrating when I am trying to picture myself in the suits that I am interested in. There are several catalogs that now are using plus size models.
We all can’t be under a size 8. A Large number of todays women are a size 14 or above. I tend to shy away from sites that show the lovely shaped size 8 and under models. Like someone said, it is a way of deceiving the women who want to buy a suit that will make them look as good as possible.
Another cool store is http://www.ishopplussize.com
I definitely like to see something that’s a little closer to “real life,” too. Then again, I rarely see size 28+ models. Why isn’t there just a better mix? (Rhetorical question)
Im right there too. I refuse to buy from sites that use these skinny models to wear clothes that Im supose to buy as a size 18/20 consumer.
Im a day to day consumer and really couldnt care less about this industry standard that believes a size 8 model can represent plus size women accross the world , I want to see a genuine size 18 model wearing the clothes so I can have a realistic idea of what it will look like on me. To me, if they refuse to use a true curvy model, my money isnt good enough for them either.
She doesn’t look all that very different from me (or really, how I see myself if the camera didn’t add 30). There simply aren’t models that are size 12 in regular fashion print, so they’re not represented. and a 12 is not far from a 12W or 14W. It’s almost like there’s size and shape discrimination within the plus-size world. I wear various straight size 20, Junior 23, plus 20W if not too baggy, but 16 or 18W never fits).
She is pretty, but she’s not plus size.
She is a plus size from the perspective of the modeling industry, but she doesn’t reflect my size, which is a 20 or 22.
I do not believe this
Hi, my name is Lori and I live in DE and I am struggling to see myself the way others see me. I have been told that I am a “pretty girl” but I am conflicting with myself esteem about me being a BIG GIRL. I sure could use some female friends to help encourage me. My email address is loribuckles5674@aol.com THANKS!
Yes and no. No, because technically you’re right – a size 8-10 is not a plus size. Yes, because there is almost no such thing as modeling as a size 8-10 in modeling unless it’s in plus-size arenas. How do I know? I use to model and as a size 8, industry people didn’t know what to do with me. I was just average. I was too “big” for mainstream fashion. In fact, I know I wouldn’t even be thin enough for them at a size 6… size 4 might be pushing it. What’s my point? Don’t forget what’s at the heart of this unhealthy and disfunctional system. The reason REAL plus-size models are not well enough represented is because our “ideal” size in every other fashion outlet is waaay out of wack. Real women are not all size 0-2. We just aren’t. Just thought I’d add some perspective from a woman caught in between.
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Katie is beautiful and just open having people judge her because of an industry that projects size 00 or 2 as normal. The focus should be on designers and the industry and off the models. They are just trying to make a living.
Would we accept this anywhere else? Long ago we stopped casting non hispanics as hispanics, non blacks as blacks but yet we are still photographing non plus size women as plus size women. No doubt this is a very beautiful woman! She looks healthy and gorgeous so it is not about her at all. she is a model and yet there is something wrong about suggesting she is a true plus size. What are we afraid of?