A comment on The Sydney Morning Herald’s interview with (plus-sized) Velvet (below) reminded me of another issue with fashion …

Veronique,

As for people wanting diversity - tell that to American Vogue and most fashion designers. They want Nazi uniformity: thin, thin, thinner.

A model agency in New York had the hide to whinge that Spain was discriminating against naturally thin models. Well, hello? The fashion world discriminates against anyone who isn’t a swizel stick.

Another discriminated group is the short. There are petite models, but not as far as below 5 feet petite. (And I don’t think there are petite plus-sized models, because those clothes barely exist! But the bodies do!)

Perhaps it’s too soon about which to do anything, as it’s great we are in the midst of broadening fashion models—but I can surely talk about it!

There is a new poll below regarding “plus-sized” women in the fashion industry; particularly “plus-sized” models in regular high fashion shows. What should be done in the battling anorexia debate?

Should we ban thin models and obese women, because they both send the wrong messages? We should all try to be just plain healthy, right?

Why don’t we get rid of all our standards for models? Why can’t a 5′2 beauty make it big, and not be a low-key “petite model”?

Can fashion lines make all sizes, because separate is not equal? Petite and plus sized fashions are usually in completely separate lines, with different designs that are often less fashionable. Or worse, they’re disappearing from malls and stores. Why can’t high fashion designers make size 18s?

Or is the current system in place for a reason; should it stay? But then what about models taking drugs or getting sick to stay or get thinner? Are “obese” models just as unhealthy?

Vote below, on the left-hand sidebar under the Glam ad. Leave your comments on this post.

According to our wee little poll results that is.

What style of boots you sportin’?

• Chloé-esque/other buckled/trendy/designer: 22% (9)
• Classic with heels, always & forever: 27% (11)
• Wedge, trendy but simple: 7% (3)
• Chic Flat, every day, go anywhere: 32% (13)*
• Cowboy boots, all year, baby: 10% (4)

Total Votes : 40

It’s nice that we can overcome trends to make a new, more classic one for the season. The second most popular choice was the classic high-heeled boot. Win #2 for our poll readers. The third “trendiest” was the overall-trendy boot. Past trends; wedges and cowboy boots, came in last. I presume those are just more out of season. (Or are they, so last season?)

*My choice

That Velvet D’amour (the plus-sized model from Gaultier’s show in Paris last week) is one strange character with personality to match her size.

Here is an excerpt from an odd interview with The Sydney Morning Herald.

YOU MENTIONED THAT YOU HAVE AN AUSTRALIAN BOYFRIEND.
Well… I just want to say that Australian men are f***ing hot. And I’m very sorry actually because I loved Steve Irwin, as a typical American, and I thought he was an amazing person. And actually it’s funny, you’re going to think this is very silly but I was talking to [fellow Gaultier catwalker] Gemma Ward and I said that I dedicated my runway to Steve Irwin.

…

HOW DID YOU DEDICATE YOUR SHOW TO STEVE IRWIN?
Well no, I was just talking to some people and I said that he was just such an amazing person and I felt like he lived his life so fully. And I felt like that’s how I live too and so I just thought I’m going to dedicate this show to Steve Irwin. In my heart, when I go out there I’m going to have his spirit and I did damn it.

JUST WATCH OUT FOR THE STINGRAYS.
That was tragic and I’d never even considered stingrays are anything to be scared of. It wasn’t his fault. We can’t blame him. He’s teetered over f***ing Great Whites and nothing’s happened to him. I think you can’t blame somebody for their death. What was meant to be was meant to be. He thought he was going to die young, he lived a great life…

Did you see Dita [Von Teese, in the audience]? Dita does great porn, I have one of her videos.

DO YOU DO PORN?
No I don’t do porn. Why, do you want to do one with me? You guys are so lesbo down there in Australia. And considering that I’m bisexual I would give in to your…? I would fit right in in Australia.

I THINK YOU MIGHT SQUASH ME.
I think you might like it.

She bounces around everywhere and seems to try to say the “right” thing to get attention and good press.

Also, it’s not re-published here, but she denies that obesity is not healthy. One way of promoting understanding is to believe that larger people don’t need to change, but that can be really dangerous. As with the rest of life, there needs to be a happy medium—but it’s so hard to find and, for most, embrace.

Photo courtesy of Style.com’s John Galliano Spring 2006 show.

Here is a picture of the plus-sized model who strutted down Jean Paul Gaultier’s catwalk in France.

(Velvet D’amour - 290 lbs - size 3x - was already in John Galliano’s Spring 2006 show - was in French Vogue

Read interview from The Sydney Morning Herald)

What do you think Gaultier was trying to do? Is this good or bad? (Stay tuned for a poll.)

The whole show on Style.com.

Looks from Akris Spring 2007

Here is the best skirt I’ve seen in a long time. And it has pockets! They’re used so well, along with the bulk. Quel shock.

But then …

With this type of pocketed skirt—so common lately—what happens when the hands come out of the skirt? There’s just ugly bulk.

This is a great lesson in fashion design, and one in not following the herd. That’s bahh-d.

View the whole show on Style.com.

Here are the highlights—for me—from Valentino Spring 2007 from Paris.

Love, love, love!

She looks like a dream tulip personified.

Entry continued, read more »