Last week I picked up the January 2010 issue of Vogue. One of the headlines read, "When a Size 4 is too big - a curvy model's struggle to fit in." I have to say I got a slight chill. Vogue discussing body issues? Oh boy. Regardless, I decided to give the magazine the benefit of the doubt and read on.
In the article, Vogue focuses on Laura Stone, a successful model that has had campaigns with Givenchy and walked for Marc Jacobs. She is, however, a size 4. In the model world, 4 is considered to be too large. Most sample sizes are a 0 or 2, so often times they struggle to fit them.
Let me interject to say this isn't a rant about the fact that designers tend to use very thin models. I understand their points about how the clothing hangs better, etc. What I cannot understand comes from the following statement Stone made in the in the article: "What they say is 'curvy,' but you know they mean fat."
So curvy means fat, but on the cover, Vogue calls Stone a curvy model - so they think she is fat? Mixed messages much? I can't speak for what the tone of the story was to be, but it came off as though the publication was forced to shed light on an issue they don't have a shred of care for - forced conversation, if you will.
If you don't agree that a size 4 is beautiful then just leave the subject to a women's magazine that does. I don't read Vogue because it's relatable and realistic - on the contrary, I read it because it is mecca. It is the impossible fashion dream - and it should stay out of sensitive issues like this one.
A secondary point is that the word curvy has gone from a thing of beauty to an insult. One of my pet peeves is when a tabloid or gossip website calls a star "curvy" when describing her pre weight loss photo. It furthers the definition of curvy as being negative.
I've personally been called curvy, but I've also been called "so tiny!" I don't even know what size I am! It's different at every store, every cut of pants, every dress. My head spins around it all the time.
Ladies (and gentlemen), please take this post and apply it to your lives. Don't call yourself fat for not being a size 2. Don't tell someone they look "so thin" either - it's just as bad. Leave size and weight out of the conversation and break the cycle.
P.S. I didn't actually cut the size 4 tag out of my jeans. I'm wearing it loud and proud.
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2 fauxsionable opinions:
Great post! I agree, we should leave weight out of conversation. It creates such a "heaviness" and leaves people feeling insecure on all levels. Thanks for pointing this article out. let's accept people on all levels. Life is not about what size we wear, it's about the positive impact we can make to our lives, other peoples' lives, and humanity. Peace out!
I love the idea of Vogue not commenting on an issue that they clearly aren't meant to comment on. It's something we talk about every day as brand ambassadors. Forced conversation, while creating controversy at times, is never genuine and doesn't endure into the long term. Great post, great thoughts.
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