Plus comes with small minuses for models
Times of Bennett | Updated: Jan 31, 2022 16:15
By HADASSAH MANI BANDI
NUZWID: The world offashion is fast-growing, but many believe you must fit a certain stereotype to be in this industry. This has been the case for a long time, but people’s minds are changing on what a model should look like. Plus-size models are thriving in this industry, but they face discrimination and don’t get as many opportunities as other types of models.
“The industry is tough and very competitive. Having faith that it’ll all work out was something I had to learn, but I believe that everything happens as it should,” plus-size model Erica Jean Schenk told this reporter over Skype.
The availability ofclothing for plus-size customers is not the same as everyone else. It has gotten better in the last few years, but there is still a large difference and lack of variety in the options available.
“We still don't have the same selection as other people, but it has improved over the years. Earlier, you would go to a shop and, maybe, find one or two things, or you would find nothing and just settle with whatever you found. Sometimes you may even buy men's clothes but now there are a few dresses available in plus sizes. So, that has improved but is still not where it should be,” Melody June Busby, a customer of plus-size clothing, said.
“In the last 20 years, the industry has become more inclusive, and there are a lot more shopping options for plus-size people. We still have a long way to go but I can see a trend of improvement,” Schenk said.
“The industry is trying to change, however, I still feel like it’s just a token at times, but you can expect that you have to thank people like Bridge models who help in pushing the industry forward,”Raul Samuel , a plus-size model from Bridge Models, said.
The world of fashion is changing into a more inclusive industry, but the change is slow and the models who are in this industry are changing it from the inside.
Men are also victims of discrimination because of their size. The idea that a man should be tall and muscular is something that has become the new normal. “It’s wrong, it’s an ‘all or nothing way’ to look at it. If a man doesn’t have a six-pack, then he is not seen as attractive. Everyday working men don’t have that. It’s hard to maintain. We want to represent the everyday man for whom clothes should be made and thought about”, Raul said.
“I want to promote healthy, confident men no matter what size. Just because you don’t have a six-pack doesn’t mean you are not sexy,” Raul added.
The world is now in the age of technology and the use of social media is prevalent, wherein people believe what they see online. That’s how they should look like to fit in, they feel. This leads to body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) and is something plus- size models are trying to prevent from becoming an issue of concern.
“Body dysmorphic disorder is a psychiatric disorder in which a person is preoccupied with the idea that he has some imagined defect in his appearance. Usually, this level of preoccupation is so high that the person feels high levels of distress which, in turn, retards his functioning in some way.
“Even if a slight flaw in appearance emerges, a person suffering from body dysmorphic disorder becomes concerned with this flaw to an extreme level,” Preethi Ninan, a consultant clinical psychologist, said. “It is also possible that societal norms which emphasise very stereotypical standards of beauty, could lead individuals to perceive themselves as imperfect or flawed,” she added.
“Plus-sized models could help society move forward in challenging set notions of beauty. They can help individuals of all ages in understanding the need to accept oneself as he/she is,” he suggested.
A perfect body is something all need. But the love for your body is something that is now growing and is being promoted by a handful of plus-size models who have joined the fight against body dysmorphia.
NUZWID: The world of
“The industry is tough and very competitive. Having faith that it’ll all work out was something I had to learn, but I believe that everything happens as it should,” plus-size model Erica Jean Schenk told this reporter over Skype.
The availability of
“We still don't have the same selection as other people, but it has improved over the years. Earlier, you would go to a shop and, maybe, find one or two things, or you would find nothing and just settle with whatever you found. Sometimes you may even buy men's clothes but now there are a few dresses available in plus sizes. So, that has improved but is still not where it should be,” Melody June Busby, a customer of plus-size clothing, said.
“In the last 20 years, the industry has become more inclusive, and there are a lot more shopping options for plus-size people. We still have a long way to go but I can see a trend of improvement,” Schenk said.
“The industry is trying to change, however, I still feel like it’s just a token at times, but you can expect that you have to thank people like Bridge models who help in pushing the industry forward,”
The world of fashion is changing into a more inclusive industry, but the change is slow and the models who are in this industry are changing it from the inside.
Men are also victims of discrimination because of their size. The idea that a man should be tall and muscular is something that has become the new normal. “It’s wrong, it’s an ‘all or nothing way’ to look at it. If a man doesn’t have a six-pack, then he is not seen as attractive. Everyday working men don’t have that. It’s hard to maintain. We want to represent the everyday man for whom clothes should be made and thought about”, Raul said.
“I want to promote healthy, confident men no matter what size. Just because you don’t have a six-pack doesn’t mean you are not sexy,” Raul added.
The world is now in the age of technology and the use of social media is prevalent, wherein people believe what they see online. That’s how they should look like to fit in, they feel. This leads to body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) and is something plus- size models are trying to prevent from becoming an issue of concern.
“Body dysmorphic disorder is a psychiatric disorder in which a person is preoccupied with the idea that he has some imagined defect in his appearance. Usually, this level of preoccupation is so high that the person feels high levels of distress which, in turn, retards his functioning in some way.
“Even if a slight flaw in appearance emerges, a person suffering from body dysmorphic disorder becomes concerned with this flaw to an extreme level,” Preethi Ninan, a consultant clinical psychologist, said. “It is also possible that societal norms which emphasise very stereotypical standards of beauty, could lead individuals to perceive themselves as imperfect or flawed,” she added.
“Plus-sized models could help society move forward in challenging set notions of beauty. They can help individuals of all ages in understanding the need to accept oneself as he/she is,” he suggested.
A perfect body is something all need. But the love for your body is something that is now growing and is being promoted by a handful of plus-size models who have joined the fight against body dysmorphia.
