Will Changes In The Modeling Industry Inspire The Plus Size Modeling Industry?…
Conde Nast International (publisher of VOGUE Magazine) recently released a statement which includes healthy guidelines and a ban on the use of underage models. In addition, they are asking designers to re-think the use of small sample sizes. I wish they would have made it a little more mandatory than a request but something is better than nothing at all I guess. This is a great attempt at change, but will it change anything in the modeling industry? Who really holds the power on what we see?
From a magazine perspective I’m not sure what this is going to do. Designers in mainstream fashion are extremely sensitive about their creative process and I’m wondering if there is going to be a special council who will be watching to see if all 19 Vogue’s are working within the new pact.
More importantly, I’m wondering if and how the plus size industry will be affected. In one week alone PLUS Model Magazine received 6 phone calls from brands/designers asking for our advice on where to find size 16 and 18 professional models. Ashley Stewart recently booked another size 16 plus size beauty Allison McGevna and paired her up with Fluvia Lacerda, who we know is a very curvy size 16/18. With all this being said, when we look at the modeling board at MSA, now under new direction – the models on the fashion board went from size 12 – 18 to 4 to 14. This makes me ask, who is holding the strings in the plus size industry? The modeling agencies or the fashion client?
There is a huge shift happening in our industry and I’m hoping this new pact will trickle some pressure for our industry to finally see the error of it’s ways.
The pact:
1. We will not knowingly work with models under the age of 16 or who appear to have an eating disorder. We will work with models who, in our view, are healthy and help to promote a healthy body image.
2. We will ask agents not to knowingly send us underage girls and casting directors to check IDs when casting shoots, shows and campaigns.
3. We will help to structure mentoring programs where more mature models are able to give advice and guidance to younger girls, and we will help to raise industry-wide awareness through education, as has been integral to the Council of Fashion Designers of America Health Initiative.
4. We will encourage producers to create healthy backstage working conditions, including healthy food options and a respect for privacy. We will encourage casting agents not to keep models unreasonably late.
5. We encourage designers to consider the consequences of unrealistically small sample sizes of their clothing, which limits the range of women who can be photographed in their clothes, and encourages the use of extremely thin models.
6. We will be ambassadors for the message of healthy body image.
I’ve spoken my mind, now I want to hear from you…
1) Do you think these changes put forth by Conde Nast will impact the modeling industry and ultimately help or hurt the plus size modeling industry?
2) Who do you think is running the industry/holding the strings in the plus size industry? The modeling agencies or the fashion client?
Let me know what you think… I’m listening!
Madeline Jones