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Size Diversity Isn’t the Only Discrimination Hitting Full-Figured Models – PLUS Model Magazine Tackles the ‘Black Issue’

Size Diversity Isn’t the Only Discrimination Hitting Full-Figured Models – PLUS Model Magazine Tackles the ‘Black Issue’

PLUS Model Mag- Feb2014-Cover 1

PLUS Model Magazine (PMM), plus-model-mag.com, inspiring the style-savvy, fashion-forward, full-figured woman to embrace her curves, tackles the controversial ‘Black Issue’ this February. Madeline Jones, PMM Editor-in-Chief and leading advocate for the plus size woman and industry, has never been afraid to create conversations around–the-world when it comes to body acceptance and fashionable clothing for all women. But this February, she goes beyond size and puts the focus on a subject plaguing the fashion industry… race discrimination.

The inspiration for the February issue began when Mrs. Jones sat down with a group of plus size models in NYC after a photo shoot.

“The conversation on my half of the table had turned from idle chitchat to the lack of ‘working’ black models in the plus size industry. It made a great impression on me, prompting me to ask if there could be a serious lack of diversity in our industry, beyond the size issue?”

Jones polled five agencies in the United States, who either have a ‘plus’ division or are boutique agencies, and here is what she found:

Out of 313 plus models represented… 45 were Ethnic (Hispanic, African American, Indian, Asian)

Of the ethnic models…

Only 15 were brown skin girls.

What is the source of the problem?

“It is not the agencies. I have come to realize that the clients are the one’s holding the cards; if they ask, then the agency will provide.”

Featured in the February issue of PMM are four stunning African American plus models, as well as an in-depth interview with Liris Crosse, frequently called ‘The Body’ or the ‘Naomi Campbell of Plus,’. In an interview with Ms. Jones, Crosse shared: 

I find it interesting that brands will hold events and invite a lot of the African American bloggers and journalists, but not have one single Black model on their site or in their campaigns, yet they want them to blog about their products and get the sales from their followings.”

PMM is not the only organization tackling race discrimination in the fashion industry. In November 2013, Naomi Campbell, Iman and Bethann Hardison created the “Diversity Coalition,” whose goal is to end runway racism and shed light on the lack of diversity in the fashion industry.

Their open letter to the Council of Fashion Designers of America stated the lack of diversity on the runway with statistics, and listed the designers who were guilty of not using any or only one, model of color. The letter received media attention around the world and created conversation.

In a November 2013 interview with CNN, Naomi Campbell and Iman call for an end to runway racism. Iman commented: “I don’t want to ever hear again a young model telling me that [casting directors] have said to her: ‘We are not seeing black models this season.’ To me that’s offensive. To me that’s a racist remark.”

“The February issue of PMM has already created quite a stir, for as many women who are inspired by the beautiful images throughout the issue, there is an equal amount of hate mail jamming my inbox,” comments Jones. “But I am fine with that. I would rather start a meaningful conversation to help encourage change, instead of sitting by and watching injustice continue to happen.”

About PLUS Model Magazine | inspiration+style

Editor-in-Chief, Madeline Jones / PLUS Model Magazine (PMM), inspires the style-savvy, fashion-forward, full-figured woman to embrace her curves. PMM hit viral status in January 2012 for their explosive and controversial editorial, “Plus Bodies, What’s Wrong with Them Anyway?” and has appeared on/in ABC World News with Diane Sawyer, CNN, GMA, FoxNews.com, HuffingtonPost.com, Entertainment Tonight and 200+ other media outlets around the world.

PMM is a thought-leader shaping the plus size industry and providing a barometer for the season’s latest style trends for curvy women. With a monthly magazine featuring stunning editorials featuring plus models, as well as ‘How-to-wear’ columns and shopping guides at all price-points, PMM reports on style, beauty and topical news, all while engaging our reader in lively and meaningful conversation on our daily blog and social media.

Developed, designed and written by plus women, for plus women, PMM understands and speaks directly to the heart of our reader, because we are our reader.

Website: plus-model-mag.com

MEDIA CONTACT:  Madeline Jones, 646.234.6745, maddy@plusmodelmagazine.com