AUTOGRAPHS

An End to Size Zero Models for Vogue

Don’t ask me how I missed this one but recently Vogue editor Alexandra Shulman has been hailed as “hugely brave” after calling out leading designers who force fashion magazines to have to use “size zero” models. She said that the clothes created by designers for the catwalk which were then sent to magazines as samples for photo shoots had become “substantially smaller” and “minuscule” and that Vogue now had to “retouch” photographs “to make the models appear larger” and by larger I’m guessing she means more healthy looking. How ridiculous is that? I’m calling her “my hero” because finally someone actually working for an extremely well known fashion magazine is speaking up and we are not just hearing it from the public.

In a letter sent to some main fashion houses including Prada, Versace, Yves Saint Laurent and Chanel, Shulman wrote: “We have now reached a point where many of the sample sizes don’t comfortably fit even the established star models. Instead, we have had to use girls with jutting bones and no breasts or hips, to fit them.” She added: “I am finding that the feedback from my readers and the general feeling in the UK is that people don’t really want to see such thin girls.”

Eleni Renton, a leading model agent who has pioneered the use of healthy-looking girls, said: “It is about time that somebody stood up to the designers, and it is hugely brave of Alexandra to come out and say there is a problem. “I have had girls turn up to shoots and not be able to fit into the samples and these are model-size, slim women. It has become ridiculous and for too long, designers have been getting away with making clothes that are simply not designed for normal women.”

Hilary Alexander, the Telegraph’s fashion director, said: “I totally support Alex and addressing this issue is long overdue. Her call now needs to be backed by all the other glossy magazine editors, who must join the chorus if they want to see a change within the fashion industry. One lone voice will not be enough.”

Emma Healey of Beat, the charity that supports people affected by eating disorders, said: “This is very welcome. The whole controversy over size zero models has been a wake up call. It is very encouraging to see Vogue taking a stance like this.” Telegraph.co.uk, 2009

This is all hard to take in considering I just recently participated in the first ever Full Figured Fashion Week in NYC where the women were encouraged to flaunt their curves on the catwalk and the average model was a size 16/18. The fact is that in America alone, there are 40 million women over size 14, spending $25 billion a year on clothing, or a quarter of all clothing sales, according to American Demographics. So why is one of the top selling fashion magazines like Vogue still featuring clothing on models that are a size zero? I’d love someone to answer that for me.

Another interesting fact is that many plus size clothing stores and websites still use models that are considered “straight size” rather than using “plus size” models. I searched the web and retailers such as J.Jill, Jessica London, Roamans, OneStopPlus, and Silhouettes fall into this category while offering plus size clothing starting at size 14W up to a 34W. How can a retailer offer plus size clothing to its customers effectively and not show it on a plus size woman is beyond me. Are they falling into the same situation as Vogue, where like the magazine, the retailers are receiving smaller samples from their manufacturers so therefore they are having to use smaller models? I know for a fact that this is not true since I have done fit modeling for numerous plus size manufacturers and retailers in my career and the average plus size fit model is a size 18. Needless-to-say the samples are made in a size 18, so this cannot be possible.

Hello world? Can we get this right? It seems simple enough to me that as a retailer you should show your merchandise on “real size” models that are the same size as the women you are targeting. So to retailers such as J.Jill, Jessica London, Roamans, OneStopPlus, and Silhouettes, my name is Danielle Line and I am a plus size model that is a “real size” 14/16. Feel free to get in touch with me or my agent if you are interested in using a “real size” model to work for you. Until then, I will spend my money with the retailers that do use “real size” models like me such as Lane Bryant, Torrid, Ashley Stewart, IGIGI, Hips & Curves, Kiyonna, Junonia, and SWAK Designs. For these stores, keep doing what you’re doing because you are definitely doing it right in the plus size community. As for Vogue, let’s hope we see some changes in the near future. I’m keeping my eyes open.

Danielle Line, Plus Size Model and Guest Writer for www.swakdesigns.com

[Real 2PM] Junho – magazine photo shoot

Victorinox Fibrox 7-Inch Granton Edge Santoku Knife $26.99 Nothing is worse than going to cut with your cutlery, and having the handle slip around in your hand. To combat this potential for injury, Victorinox has created this Fibrox santoku knife. The Fibrox® handle is textured and provides a firm grip, even when wet, and does not slip or slide around. It is comfortable and fits naturally to the shape of your hand, and provides an attractive and modern s…

Bullet AK47 Ice Cube Tray $3.53 Bullet Ice Cube TrayFreshen up that killer drink with a round from the Bullet Ice Tray! Show James Bond how it’s done and add a little sophistication to your parties with this amazing ice cube tray. The AK Bullet Ice Cube Tray is our most popular gift to date and it’s no wonder why! Easy to use and incredibly effective, this ice cube tray will help your party go off with a bang and certainly impre…

AccuSharp Knife Sharpener With Replacement Blades $14.99 From the Manufacturer Finally, a Knife Sharpener anyone can use! No more messy oils or stones. In about 10 seconds, sharpen knives, (even serrated knives), cleavers, axes, machetes, and many other cutting tools. The large ergonomic handle fits either hand safely and securely. The full length finger guard protects your fingers. Sharpening blades are Diamond Honed Tungsten Carbide for years of relia…

Rubber Soul $8.89 BEATLES THE RUBBER SOUL (EDICION LIMITADA)…

The Beach Boys – Limited Edition 50th Anniversary Collection ‘ZinePak $21.47 This commemorative 50th Anniversary Beach Boys release includes an 11-song CD, a collectible 72-page magazine and three exclusive postcards. The CD features an all-new recording of the hit “Do It Again” available exclusively on this release, plus 10 more of the band’s greatest hits. The magazine includes dozens of rare photographs from the band’s career and exclusive new interviews with Brian Wils…

Blues Breakers $10.25 No Description AvailableNo Track Information AvailableMedia Type: CDArtist: MAYALL,JOHNTitle: BLUES BREAKERS WITH ERIC CLAPTStreet Release Date: 06/05/2001…

Playboy / Farrah Fawcett: All of Me [VHS] $14.99 …

National Geographic’s Volcano [VHS] $6.69 Volcanologist Maurice Krafft believed that “people are much more curious about hell than about paradise.” Krafft and his wife Katia certainly were: the French scientists shared a lifelong fascination with volcanoes that took them all over the world to film eruptions until a hot ash flow in Japan claimed their lives in 1991. In this National Geographic special, made two years before their death, th…

WWF Divas – Tropical Pleasure $4.84 Run off to the sand, sun and warm waters of the Bahamas! See Ivory, Jacqueline, Lita, Sara, Sharmell, Sullivan, Stacy Keibler, Terri, Torrie Wilson and Trish Stratus like you’ve never seen them before… the titillation will astound you. Find out why tropical breezes can’t cool down these sultry sirens! Gasp in awe at the incredible hotness of these World Wrestling Federation Divas! …

AccuSharp 001 Knife Sharpener $5.33 This knife shapener sharpens any double edge blade whether serrated or plain, thick or thin and it will do it faster than youd believe possible. AccuSharp sharpeners are the best, easiest and fastest sharpeners around. The difference is in the specially formulated, precision ground and mounted tungsten carbide blades….