From Photoshop bungles to questionable blackface shoots – body image and racial diversity have been discussed ad nauseam this year, and rightfully so, But until a paradigm shift occurs among Fashion’s gatekeepers, diversity will continue to be highlighted by the industries detractors. Don’t hold your breath.
Potentially adding fuel to the fire is the following Terry Richardson editorial, “One Size Fits All”, which appears as part of V Magazine’s “Plus Size” January issue. In it two models strike similar poses and sport identical attire with the only difference being body type. Jacquelyn Jablonski (left) epitomizes the slinky modeling norm while Crystal Renn (right) represents the plus-sized masses.
The editorial looks amazing and it’s refreshing that V Magazine have championed body-type diversity without shooting Beth Ditto naked and calling it a day…BUT in what conceivable way does Renn qualify as plus sized? She’s plus sized next to her rake thin peer (and by industry standards) but labeling average body types as plus sized is a dangerous practice, one that shifts the norm to size zeros and lettuce leaf lunches.
We know what V is going for and it’s fairly innocuous – the idea that high fashion discriminates not against body type. It’s attainable to everyone! It’s democratic! But despite their best intentions the shoot actually illustrates that disparity between how you look and how you should look. It’s no wonder perceptions get so twisted.
Next on the diversity agenda? Plus-sized models of colour!
See Photos via Trend Land
