Try This On for Size

Models.com posted a second round of photos from V’s size issue, which goes on sale January 14th. While we’re all for diversity in fashion – be it body type or skin color, we wonder how much of a dent this issue will make.

Like Vogue Italia’s Black issue, it’s nice to see underrepresented entities get a starring role in editorials, but that spotlight often stops at a single issue, and very rarely makes it over into the area that truly counts – advertising, which is a proxy for the creative direction of a label (aka the designer). As we were reminded by grotesquely photoshopped images from Ralph Lauren in 2009, impossibly thin is still the standard for many campaigns.

As could be expected, the post generated the usual faux concern about the models’ health as it relates to their weight, but the more interesting comments – while supportive, raised questions about the execution of the concept.

Some reactions:

“The fashion world gets called out for not using black models, so they do an all-black issue. They get called out for using rail-thin models, and so they feature plus-size models in another. They’re pretty, but they’re one-off gimmicks, no matter what grand statement they’re purported to make.” – TheCheese @ the Cut

“I’m trying my hardest to keep optimistic about the issue, and hell, maybe they’ll surprise me, but this demonstrates a lack of creative effort on their part. And as a high fashion magazine, they should have shown the same kind of forethought and attention to detail (to the clothes, backdrops, concepts, etc) they’ve consistently given to their size 0’s.
This would be a much better issue if they just treated them like they weren’t different, instead, because of the aforementioned neglect, like somebody before me said, they just keep screaming, “HEY LOOK AT THESE FAT GIRLS.” – JonGarciao @ the Cut

“What’s next V? If you really support ‘curvy’ women, then I will expect to see more curvy women in next V edition, and not only this spread.” Erwin @ Models.com

What do you think; is this a novelty or an early indication of more diverse body types in fashion?

Read more {the Cut}

Read more {Models.com}