These images - and the stats that are referred to in the accompanying blog - are currently making waves in the fashion and mag world.
You can read more here:
Here are some incredible stats:
- Twenty years ago the average fashion model weighed 8% less than the average woman. Today, she weighs 23% less
- 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.
- Most runway models meet the Body Mass Index physical criteria for Anorexia.
- 50% of women wear a size 14 or larger, but most standard clothing outlets cater to sizes 14 or smaller.
Surprised?
Thoughts?
As a naturally curvaceous women I've spent most of my adult life fluctuating from a size 10-14/58 to 70kg. At 23 I was approached to do some plus size modelling ...at the time I weighed 63kg & was a size 12. I declined, the idea of being viewed by society as a plus size women, when I thought I was an average weight, was a scary notion, particularly at 23. Several years ago I started putting on weight(as a result of both medication & emotional eating), therefore I'm currently a size 16-18. At my previous weight I was treated like royalty when I walked into Sydney's funkiest boutiques, receiving discounts & even freebies. As soon as I started putting on weight it completely changed the way I was viewed by society as a whole. Having lived abroad & coming home to see people I hadn't seen for years, I hear the same thing over & over..."You've still got a beautiful face, even though you've put on sooooo much weight"...oh & the inevitable question "what happened to you?!". Are we judged by how we look? Absolutely! Are big or what I call "real women" discriminated against? For Sure! I now buy most of my clothes online & spend less than half what I was spending in Australia for the latest in fashion....mostly from ASOS. The only brand who caters for real women in Australia is Charlie Brown...God bless her! Definitely no surprises here...I live with the big girl label everyday of my life.
ReplyDeleteKaren, your story blew me away, it truly did. Especially your friends' reactions. One - I am appalled they could be so rude. And secondly, don't they know most people's weight fluctuates with age? Lordy, I hope your self esteem in intact.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, Charlie Brown has always championed women's curves through her fabulous clothes, bless.