by Ethel Smith

Created on: June 29, 2008

Well I am not surprised to see that, at present, only 4% of participants in this debate feel that plus size clothing should not be modelled by plus size models. Without having to consider the subject much at all it seems to me to be the only sensible answer. In some ways it is almost offensive that plus sized people are thought incapable of being good models. I know that retailers try many tricks to con the buyer's eye such as having mirrors in the changing rooms that make you look a good stone slimmer but surely it would be better for people to see what they may actually look like in the goods.

Yes we all know that designers, and the like, prefer to have skinny models to display their clothes on. I suppose it is because it is rather like having a living, breathing artificial model. Almost a shop window dummy or coat hanger with life and human shape. Clothes will always hang better with less bodily lumps and bumps but of course they will not give an accurate picture of what they will look like on a plus size person in real life.

When you are buying new clothes you want to know what they will look like on you or at least someone with a similar shape. I suppose if you are a fashion designer you may be on the minority side in this debate. However, as consumers though, we are seeing a false picture of what is attainable and may look good. Seeing a fashion on a plus sized model shows if it really can work. After all there are some designs which suit almost anyone but there are many more that can make people look fatter, skinnier or just plain ridiculous.

The current obsession with body image and the fact that so many youngsters end up feeling failures because of their looks is only compounded when all they ever see is models who appear to be perfection personified.

I guess if designers knew that their plus sized clothes were going to be modelled by plus size models they would put more thought into the levels that their designs might work on. If they know that for sales purposes they will be modelled by an elegant stick insect then they do not have to really put thought into designing clothes that will flatter the fuller figure, do they?. Plus size does not have to mean an eyesore. Plenty of plus size people have great body shapes and just need the right window dressing, so to speak, to look good. So come on designers. If you are confident that you have done your job well and made the perfect plus size clothing have faith and have it displayed appropriately.

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