Plus Size Bodies, What Is Wrong With Them Anyway?

Photographer: Victoria Janashvili


“The statistics and photos in this article have had a global impact,” says Tulin Reid, Executive Marketing and Creative Director of PLUS Model Magazine. “As a plus size fashion magazine we are thrilled with the results as it expands the conversation that we have monthly between advertisers, designers, readers, and the modeling industry.”
Some of the statistics include:
- 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.
“The response has been overwhelming,” says PLUS Editor-in-Chief Madeline Jones, “We have received messages, emails and support on our social networking sites from all over the globe. Women simply want to be validated and desire to have equal options in the fashion world. We are not advocating an unhealthy lifestyle; health is not determined by a size or what you look like. I’m pretty sure there are many unhealthy models on the runway during NY Fashion Week.”
This has not only touched plus size women, but women on the other end of the size spectrum as well as men, hospitals, eating disorder organizations, yoga outlets and much more while the article continues to spider the globe.
PLUS Model Magazine continues to rally and express the thoughts of its readers, the confident plus-size woman.