H&M did what many of us in the industry have been asking for ; the integration of plus size models in main stream fashion campaigns. In the latest H&M swim collection, the brand features plus size model Jennie Runk. Now before you say it, yes Jennie is on the small side of the plus size modeling spectrum, but when put side by side with a straight size model, she is definitely a step in the right direction.
I actually love that H&M did not do a big press release about using a plus size model for the campaign, but what bothers me the most is the “outrage” over the use of a plus size model by the H&M customers. On the one hand I understand it, this has never been done before and you went from a size 0 to a size 12 in the blink of an eye. It was bound to get some backlash, but what we need is the support from the plus size community. We need to show H&M and all the other brands and designers out there that we ARE a force and do support being represented in fashion. If we do this now, maybe we will see more voluptuous bodies in campaigns in the future. Never say never!
More images from the H&M campaign
Here are some models we would love to see working with H&M
PLUS Model Magazine Swim Issue cover model Lauren Shaw
Ivory May Kalber
Fluvia Lacerda
Grisel Paula
Clementine Desseaux
Elly Mayday
Which models would you love to see in a H&M Campaign?
Check out the May 2013 Issue of PLUS Model Magazine
