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V magazine’s “Size Issue” (the one time a year they recognize that people come in sizes that aren’t thin or trying-to-be-thin) includes the shoot “One Size Fits All” in which straight-size model Jacquelyn Jablonski and plus size model Crystal Renn pose side-by-side in the same looks:
Many don’t like the way that the two models appear to be in competition, pitting skinny vs. fat in “a game of spot the difference”. I totally agree with Jezebel here, in this ad you can see the visual manifestation of the way we pit fat women against skinny women, as if there is only can win the prize of being beautiful.
But what, frankly amuses, me the most is that V magazine says the shoot “proves fashion can flatter any figure.” Really, V, we didn’t know that before? Fashion mags are so out of touch that they don’t realize that most women haven’t been wearing the sample size over their lifetime, and have somehow managed to look good. Photographer Terry Richardson “finds that Spring’s most sizzling looks can work on any figure?” Has he not looked around him before? Everyday I see gorgeous women of all sizes looking beautiful and fashionable. Just because they haven’t featured them (except in the size issue I assume) doesn’t mean fatshionistas aren’t out there. Or that the idea that women above a size two can look hot in clothing is news to any of V’s readers.
I’m glad V has “proved” that you don’t need to be a sample-size to look good in clothing. I’m sure the women at Fatshonista, Fatshionable, and the Manfattan project as well as other women who’ve been looking hot in plus sizes their entire lives will be happy to learn of this new discovery.
Original here
Fortunately, however, plus size models are becoming more and more common in articles, photoshoots, and ads. Let's just hope this trend continues on--most beneficially more than a "once a year" feature.
A good friend of mine, who is naturally thin, came to my body positivity group really upset once because a women at the gym came up to her and told her that she was unhealthy and shouldn't be there. The woman assumed just on the basis of my friends body, that she had an eating disorder and therefore that her body is WRONG. Now, if a close friend who is exhibiting signs of an eating disorder, it's important to try to get them help, but as a random stranger, one has no right to judge another's body.
I am not saying that the plus size model is any better or more beautiful than the skinny model, but because it shows a more natural shape that most women are more familiar with. That was the point I had meant to make, but obviously my comment didn't quite convey that message through my excitement.