Is plus size the new thin?
30-07-2009
Well, meet two of them. Crystal Renn is one of the most famous plus-size models around and being happy is here ultimate goal.
When the 21 year old model – who is currently a UK dress size 16 – first started working in the industry she was told to slim down, and admits living on diet soft drinks and salad for several years in an effort to shed weight. Crystal eventually reached a size zero but was so unhappy she vowed to put the weight back on, a decision she credits with launching her career.
She said:
"I went to see my modelling agent and together we worked out how I would move into a plus-size career – after landing shoots in US and Italian Vogue, I've not looked back. I wouldn't change a thing. I represent natural, happy women. I experience more positive reactions than negative ones. Other models often say they wish they could do the same thing – not worrying about what they eat and being totally comfortable with their shape.
Crystal has graced the cover of US Vogue, walked the catwalk for Jean Paul Gaultier and worked with Dolce and Gabanna – she insists the only thing worth thinking about when dressing is body shape, the perception of catwalk models being judgmental and looking down on larger women is wholly unjustified, adding she has had nothing but support from her thinner contemporaries".
Meet another fuller figured woman at the top of her career!
You may or may not know of Beth Ditto, but a glance at the opening page of her remarkable CV will provide a clue as to why she's now, officially, the coolest person in rock'n'roll. Beth is a larger-than-life lesbian activist and during her childhood, she recalls being so poor she had to eat squirrels. But now, her punk band, Gossip, is on the verge of completing a rags-to-riches journey to the dizzy heights of global stardom.
Despite her size (at little more than 5ft, she weighs in at 15 stone), Ditto is also described as a style icon. "She's glamorous and sexy, and is completely obsessed by clothes. The queer politics, as she puts it, is also a big thing for her, and she's not afraid to stand up and shout about it."
Ditto's interest in fashion, and growing status as a style icon, is about to be cemented with a book, So Crazy. "It's a style guide," she says. "All the usual fashion don'ts will be fashion dos. Like horizontal stripes on big bodies, and chin-length hair. Fat people look fab in Miu Miu. They just do."
Beth Ditto's collection for plus-size high street retailer Evans, hits stores on July 9th which was celebrated with a party at Sketch, the private members club in London's West End.
Personally, I welcome and embrace this new wave of fuller figured beauties taking over the top spots in modelling and fashion industry, after watching my mum battle with her weight for years, finally I get to see strong, proud women we can look up to and remember things are achievable if you put your mind to it and if you remain individual, which are shown in the two separate cases above.
I still feel there is a long way to go but a start is the main thing and I wish Beth Ditto and Crystal Renn huge success with there careers.
Anything is possible ladies…
Sophia White
