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plus size modelling

Model Myla Dalbesio is a healthy and slim US size 10 (UK size 14), with gorgeous curves. Unfortunately, in the fashion world she is still sometimes classed as a “plus size” model.

Fashion house Calvin Klein hit the headlines this week when it featured her in its Perfectly Fit campaign.

Tensions were high when CK published the photos from the shoot, starring Myla alongside models Jourdan Dunn and Lara Stone.

The main reason for the overwhelming criticism was that CK had dared to refer to a totally normal body as plus size. Twitter was awash with users expressing their disgust and vowing to shun the brand’s products.

Yes, it does seem bizarre that a major fashion label would court controversy by insisting that a size 10 is anywhere near a large size, but the fact is that CK never said any such thing.

In a statement released after the backlash first began earlier this week, the brand said the Perfectly Fit campaign was designed to cater to “the needs of different women” and would hopefully be viewed as “more inclusive.” Why should that be viewed as a bad thing?

The plus size movement really gained traction back in 2010 and 2011, most notably with the appearance of curvy models Tara Lynn, Candice Huffine and Robyn Lawley on a Vogue Italia cover.

Since then there has been very little development with the use of models of larger sizes on the catwalk and in photo shoots. So CK’s decision to use a healthier model, even if she is only one or two sizes larger than the normal stick-thin catwalk figure, can surely only be a positive move.

Even Myla herself was quick to defend the label’s decision. “It’s not like [Calvin Klein] released this campaign and were like ‘Whoa, look, there’s this plus size girl in our campaign,’” she said. “They released me in this campaign with everyone else; there’s no distinction. It’s not a separate section for plus size girls.”

When compared to the Victoria’s Secret recent Perfect Body ads, which featured model upon model with the exact same boyish figure, CK’s new campaign seems like a very refreshing change. Yes, the choice of models are still not fully representative of “normal” women, but it’s surely a step in the right direction?

Rather than lashing out at fashion designers for not using curvy enough models, we should be celebrating the fact that progress is being made. The fact that a size 10 model can be included in a high-fashion photo shoot without the designers making a big song and dance about it is a great development. Instead of criticising it, we should be asking for more of the same.

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For once, some positive body image news. A segment on The Saturday Night Show this weekend got Twitter talking about body shaming in Ireland and why it needs to stop.

Plus-size model Vicki Mooney appeared on the show to chat about her new agency V+ Models, which launched earlier this year. All models on Vicki’s books are a size 14 or over, which is a refreshing change in a world where a size 8-10 is usually considered too big for the catwalk.

Speaking on the show, Vicki, who is a plus-size model herself, said that V+ women were representative of real Irish people. “We are the women walking the street in Ireland. People should realise that that’s who we are.”

Vicki and some of her models appeared on the show to launch their #stopbodyshaming initiative. The campaign's official launch picture, featuring 11 of Vicki's models in the nude, had Twitter buzzing. Many praised the photo for its positive message about weight and body image:

But others felt it sent a message that being overweight was healthy:

Over 40% of women in Ireland are a size 14 or over, which drives home the fact that the traditional boyish size-6 catwalk model is a wildly inaccurate portrayal of a “normal” body shape.

Many would argue that images of beauty in the media are never going to be realistic – if they were, we’d have nothing to aspire towards.

Whatever the general consensus from the public, the tide is definitely turning towards more realistic portrayals of shape and size in Irish media, though the journey is not over yet. “The movement towards plus-size has only really happened in Ireland in the last few years," Vicki said in an interview earlier this year with The Irish Independent.

"I have been plus-size modelling for about four years now and at the beginning it was very slow to take off.”

On Saturday night she also addressed those who were quick to judge a plus-size model on her weight. “Everyone is on a journey. You don’t know if that girl you’re judging has just spent the last two hours in the gym, or has lost five stone. So it’s not OK to shame another.”

Sounds like solid advice to us. Whether your natural state is curvy or lean, tall or short, there's no excuse for insulting or shaming what you're not. If there's one change you make this week, let it be that you put yourself in someone else's shoes before making a snap judgement.

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