Plus-Size Models Cover Vogue Italia
June 3, 2011 in Beauty & Body Image, Celebrity Quotes, Hot Models by Versus
Plus-size models Tara Lynn, Candice Huffine and Robyn Lawley (all size 12 to 16 US) unite on the cover of Vogue Italia to show off their ‘plus’ curves in seductive lingerie. It seems that the Franca Sozzani, the editor-in-chief of Vogue Italia, is committed to featuring more plus-size beauties in the high-fashion magazine from now on. Here’s what she says:
On how shoots like this make a stand against anorexia:
‘Fashion has been always blamed as one of the culprits of anorexia, and our commitment is the proof that fashion is ready to get on the frontline and struggle against the disorder.’
On the fact that plus-size models are fine the way they are:
‘Why should these women slim down? ‘Many of the women who have a few extra kilos are especially beautiful and also more feminine.’
Must share your thoughts!
These plus are better than that other girl, i cannot remember her name but think she was well over size 20…
Size 12 is acceptable and nice too
Exactly. I consider a size 12 plus-size, just on the smaller end. I like the cover, but just wish they would have showed more of the models. They all have gorgeous faces, just woah!
Yes i like the different shapes and sizes.. nothing below a size 6 nor above a 12.. That is the perfect healthy range i feel.. Probably way wrong a s usual
You can’t really say you like different shapes and sizes then say but only if they are between a size 6 and 12. That’s excluding those with are shorter and taller than average that naturally couldn’t/wouldn’t fall into that range
I think every size should be considered acceptable and nice….
Exactly, the wording was strange. Maybe not “acceptable” but “atractive” or “aesthetic” to her.
every size cannot be considered beautiful…thats absurd. there is nothing beautiful in being 300lbs or 90lbs.
all healthy sizes are beautiful.
Unhealthy people shouldn’t be accepted or considered pretty?
Being unhealthy doesn’t mean you are a bad person, ugly person or someone who deserve less respect and acceptance.
So people can only be ‘beautiful’ if they are ‘healthy’. Absolute rubbish! Beauty comes from the soul, and does not come from the how much fat/bones/muscle you have, nor a number on the scale.
Anyway, these girls are stunning! <3
(But what is with that pose on the end with her legs open?)
@cascade – I agree that not everyone can be beautiful in the aesthetic sense. If everyone was as beautiful as a VS model then there wouldn’t be a market for selling their looks.
@ Nicole – Beauty does come from the soul – but that is not what we are talking about on this forum – we are talking about the aesthetic beauty that lands on the cover of Vogue Italy. Those models on the cover could be huge bitches and they would still be super hot!
Well, at least I have a range of what I find beautiful, and a bigger one of what I find OK. To me, also, being 300 lbs isn’t OK at all and, therefore, I would encourage the person to lose weight.
I understood that, for cascade, coincidently, her “beautiful” range covers exactly all “healthy”, “normal” sizes.
Priscilla, exactly. To me, every size is acceptable.
And to cascade below who says you cannot be beautiful if you are unhealthy…so anyone with cancer is ugly? Anyone with an amputation becomes ugly? Anyone with asthma is ugly? I don’t understand what you’re saying.
Beauty is diverse and differs between cultures. Whilst *you* might not see beauty in 300 pounds of 90 pounds, you certainly don’t speak for the rest of us who can and *do* see beauty in all sizes.
I think she meant we generally to find unhealthy looking people unattractive, its human instinct. However, of course there are other factors that determine how attractive someone is, like personality.
Tacky cover. Dislike! (And no, it’s not about them being plus sized, it’s the sitting with the legs open) Looks like a brothel and not artistic at all imo
I think their faces and make-up are really pretty though. That one thing just wrecks it
Have to agree. Having a very small screen, I loved the cover – until I scrolled a bit and saw open crotch. I expected better from Vogue.
Expect better from Italian Vogue? Are you kidding me!!!
I agree. It’s not nice. And it’s kinda implying that plus sized women can only be attractive with some element of sleeze. Why can’t they just have a normal cover? It’s definitely a bit gross for my liking.
I don’t know why but don’t find the legs open aspect offensive. I kind of like it, I think its interesting and progressive.
I agree. It’s a shame they are on the cover of Vogue with a theme so tacky. People could associate voluptuous models with sex, and this is not only what they can transmit.
I would have liked a issue with a little more class or mixing skinny models.
The editorial inside the mag is even more porn, not because the model are curvy is the attitude and the poses, you can see here:
http://www.vogue.it/magazine/cover-story/2011/06/belle-vere
Jeeeeeezuuuuusssss…I actually like it. They look,to me,like utter bombshells! Maybe it’s cuz I’m not used to seeing curves like that in that type of shoot. Usually they seem to be forced into dumpy,frumpy outfits. This is refreshing,I think.
This may cause controversy lol But I think a skinny girl in these poses would look a lot more slutty. I dunno why I think that. These women just seem to have more of an air of confidence and power coming across,a type of aggression or something,than I’ve seen in a ”skinny” shoot in a long,long time.
I’ll remember these pictures. I can’t remember the last time I thought a ”skinny” shoot was this sensational. Delicious.
I think that you mistakes porn with sexy or erotic, I do not see anything porn in these pictures.
the photo in which the model is in the chair in the way we all sat down (sarcasm) is not porn? What is porn for you? Is not porn because there is not a guy between the chair and the model? For me, some of the photos could well be in Playboy magazine.
isn’t this a fashion magazine and shouldn’t a fashion magazine involve more…fashion??
I will never understand this industry. this simply confirms why i never buy vogue: vastly overpriced for something that only promotes about three items of clothing, although the problem is usually more about the number of ads not the number of naked people
so true! I actually tried flipping through a vogue magazine and I was astounded by the amount of ads. I think fashion sells better when it’s not bombarded in that way. I didn’t actually look at the clothes/jewelry/etc, because I was more irritated by the amount of boring ads
Well I agree about the plus-size model part – can’t they ever model anything other than lingerie? One of the reasons that I actually like Crystal Renn’s shoots (even though she’s not plus-size). But skinny models are subject to more porn-esque stuff every day. The cover of i-D, to take one example, has a closeup of a completely exposed, topless model every month. If you don’t believe me, look up Dree Hemingway, Agyness Deyn, Abbey Lee Kershaw i-D. Then there are so many unclassy shoots – basically anything with Terry Richardson. His shoot for Purple magazine (it’s infamous in the fashion industry) broke new, um, boundaries. Almost every other editorial has a model topless. It’s basically written in Lara Stone’s, Eniko Mihalik’s, and Abbey Lee’s contracts. And the issue of LOVE magazine had plenty of bottomless (don’t know any other non-tacky way to put this) shots of Kate Moss, Natalia Vodianova, Daria Werbowy, etc. etc. Bondage, faux-lesbianism, crotch shots, you name it, and skinny models have been subjected to it. All I’m saying is that this is hardly the worst.
How is it tacky? You obviously don’t get that the framing, composition, and lighting is reminiscent of Italian Neorealism. It’s tasteful and it’s an homage to a beautiful Italian film movement.
Fully agree with you
Italian neorealism is a style of film characterized by stories set amongst the POOR and working class, filmed on location, frequently using nonprofessional actors. Italian neorealist films mostly contend with the difficult economic and moral conditions of post-World War II Italy, reflecting the changes in the Italian psyche and the conditions of everyday life: poverty and desperation.
???
italian neo realism was a film movement about the poor and working class, mostly just after the war. i’m not sure how half naked women lounging about in decadent surroundings is reminiscent of this. its just in black and white and looks ‘period’ – thats all.
and any artistic genre can be subverted for porn- all you need to do is take their clothes off.
Thank you. The photography is really great, taken apart the unclassy poses.
italian neorealism was a film movement that focused on the poor and working class, and particularly their suffering after the war. I’m not sure how half naked women lounging around decadent mansions is reminiscent of this. Its just in black and white and looks ‘period’- thats all. and any artistic movement can be subverted for porn- just as long as there is plenty of t&a on show.
computer going haywire- have no idea how this posted twice!
The lighting/framing/general vibe is reminescent of films like La Notte (probably the most beautifully controlled movie of all time) and La Dolce Vita and L’Avventura. Obviously the shoot isn’t great art like those films but it has the same mood.
hmm…i have a feeling many gals are gonna be upset about the “more feminine” comment…
But I gotta say, a woman with hips,waist and an ass seems more feminine than a woman without any waist,hip and butt.
True, but that has nothing to do with size and everything to do with proportions which are basically the same whether you’re a size 2 or size 20.
Totally agree, Amy. Like everyone said on the Megan Fox post, you’re the perfect example of that; you’ve got an amazing figure and you’re slim- not “one of the women who have a few extra kilos.” I agree that ‘bigger’ women can be beautiful and feminine but I don’t think that having ‘a few extra kilos’ makes a woman MORE beautiful & feminine than her ‘skinnier’ counterparts. PinkLadi- I’m not ‘upset’ by the comment; I just think it could have been worded or thought through a little better that’s all
Didn’t say everyone was going to be upset…and didn’t say people couldn’t disagree with the quote without being “upset” about it…but I think a lot of people do get genuinely upset about such comments. If you don’t fall into that category, peachy.
btw i was using word upset in the sense of causing agitation (as opposed to causing emotional distress as you seem to be interpreting it), if that wording is more to your liking.
using *the word
PinkLadi- I didn’t criticise your wording, nor accused you of saying everyone was going to be upset or any of the things that you’ve brought up in your comments. I was simply stating my opinion- after all I can’t speak for anyone else except myself. I’m sorry but your comments seem unduly confrontational to me. :/
I’m not trying to be confrontational…you addressed me in your comment so I replied.
I don’t think that everyone who disagrees with the statement is upset about it, and didn’t mean to imply that but, from your comment (and the fact that you went out of your way to point out to me that you were not upset by the statement) it seemed as though that’s how my words were interpreted. And I just added on what I meant when i used the word upset in the first place. No biggie.
PinkLadi- I think it may just be a case of a misunderstanding on both parts; in my first comment, I wasn’t implying that you were under the impression that everyone would be upset by the statement- of course you can’t put everyone in the same box; how one person interprets and responds to something will always differ to how another does! I simply said I wasn’t upset as I assumed you were referring to how a lot of posters seem to be “quick to sing the song of how skinny girls get hated on” (several posters have commented on this.)
The reason I said that specifically I wasn’t upset was because yes, I do have the tendency to ‘defend’ people if I feel they’re being judged unfairly e.g frequent comments such as “she’s so fat/thin- it can’t be healthy!” And while I’m not exactly a fan of the whole ‘real women have curves’ expression and upholding of one body type in comparison to another, I didn’t find the statement offensive/upsetting as it was subtle and seemed to be genuinely celebrating being ‘plus sized’ in a way that doesn’t overly demean other women (e.g. Jennifer Lawrence style.) Not sure if I’m making sense but I hope I’ve provided a better explanation for my initial comment! Also, I didn’t have a problem with your use of the word ‘upset.’ I simply put it in quotation marks for clarification; I was responding mainly to Amy and was just showing that the notion had come from someone else first, that’s all
I definitely think petite women can look all fragile and girly and femme just as easily as a woman with a good WHR. But people need to calm down and accept that these types of bodies are more stereotypically ”female” looking,than say,an apple shape or a ruler. It doesn’t mean they’re not sexy or attractive or something. Every shape has pros and cons and one doesn’t necessarily need to be dressed from head to toe in a pink floral affair with DDs to be beautiful/feminine.
I know a lot of guys and girls who prefer small chests/straighter bodies. Everyone can look good for themselves,and be considered good looking by someone else,in their own way!
I’m confused by this comment. You’re sounding as if being petite and having a good WHR are mutually exclusive? Height and size don’t determine WHR–body shape does. You can be a ruler at 5’3 and 5’10, just like you can have curvy proporations at a size 0/2 or size 14/16. You can have a large chest but not have a good WHR, just like you can have a smallish chest and not be a ruler.
While I agree that apple and ruler shapes are not necessarily as “feminine” looking as hourglass/pears (personal preference) that has nothing to do with being petite, plus size, or any height/weight.
What I was trying to say was that I believe a petite and slim woman can look delicate and feminine,she doesn’t necessarily have to have killer curves. I have seen women like this who look just as feminine as women with a good WHR.
I am aware that you are a certain shape no matter what size you are,pretty much,as a rule. I was moreso referring to bone structure I guess,and the gracefulness of a body,when referring to the ”petite” ”delicate” sort of woman. But hey,nitpick me if you want lol
So if i have a 0.65 WHR, yet i barely find clothes to fit me, XS often being a bit – or more – large on me, what am i? I am not petite or delicate just because i have a pronounced whr? Not meaning to sound conceited, but i have the smallest wrists and ankles from all the women i know (and i know plenty who are actually even thinner than me) but i hate the fact that having a whr and boobs (which are quintessential female traits!) make me chubby in the eyes of superficial people like you…
At the comment above, it was mine, i only now realised i wasn’t logged in. Sorry about that, my computer remembered my credentials before having an account and i just posted. Sorry, did not mean to cause confusion or use multiple user names or whatever.
@Cristina/Uma/whoever you are,if you’re talking to me,you’re not making any sense to me. I don’t understand the comment. I am saying that women with a good WHR,whatever size they are,AND women with a petite bone structure/body type,are USUALLY seen as the most feminine. I’m not saying that in a bitchy or superficial or whatever retarded way you took it to mean. It’s pretty much fact,lots of people think that. Straighter bodies are more associated with manliness,as are bigger muscles and bones. I didn’t know it was such a crime to think that way. Also,I said in a previous comment,that EVERYONE’S shape has benefits,and ”flaws” or whatever,and everyone can look good if they want to. It’s all in the eye of the beholder. I said nothing about ”chubbiness” or whatever you’re spouting. Sorry if you took it that way…You can have a good WHR at any weight. Jeez. What is wrong with you lol I was comparing very slim,small women with women with good WHRs,women at any weight in general. How in God’s name does having a pronounced WHR make you ”not delicate” automatically? LOL. Maybe try and read what I said again,because I’m totally lost on what you took it to mean.
Glad they didn’t book for Crystal Renn for this shoot, seeing as she’s definitely no longer a “plus-size model”.
These are beautiful women! Hopefully this means high-fashion will embrace a more healthy dress-size that the modern woman can relate to!
haha I can totally see them trying to pull that, though. “look at this plus size woman with supposed 37inch hips!! she’s plus sized!”
Haha good point. 37 inch hips are only plus-sized in fashion’s mind. Out here in reality, we consider that slim.
never really meet a lot of women with 33-34 inch hips and I live in nyc where there are plenty of slim people but I think many thin women are 35-37 unless they are super petite…
I agree. When I think of a thin woman, I do see somewhere around 37″ hips. I have 40″ ones because of my butt, and I’m smaller than most people I know.
If I had more boobs I could totally be a plus model then!
lololol ugh c’est la vie in the fashion world!
I actually think they look really good. Sort of old school but not over done. My only critique is the legs open. It would only have worked if you saw more of her legs and they were in a less relaxed position. They are all pretty.
Yeah, but in this cover… they do not really look plus size. If I didn´t read the title, I wouldn´t guess
exactly they look slim
but somehow its a beautiful cover anyways 
“Why should these women slim down? ”
There could be very good reasons why some of these women probably should slim down. But I get the overall message…plus-sized women can be beautiful as well, and can have a representation in fashion. After all, they purchase clothes too.
PS: Tara Lynn is stunning!
Why “should” some of these women slim down? I believe they have healthy BMI’s (although you can’t really see their bodies that well in this picture).
Yes, but the reasoning they used is that they look more beautiful and feminine, which is a dumb excuse in some ways because if the extra weight was detrimental to their health then looking good is irrelevant. It’s like a kid saying ‘but mum why should I stop smoking? it looks cool and makes me happy’ and the mum saying ‘well can’t argue with that kid’ (!) It should be that they don’t need to because their weight is not an issue to their health and then moreover they look at their weights anyway. Ergonomics before athstetics!
Yes, every woman is feminine, with or without curves. Everyone can like more one or another, but all women are feminine.
“Yes, but the reasoning they used is that they look more beautiful and feminine, which is a dumb excuse in some ways because if the extra weight was detrimental to their health then looking good is irrelevant.”
Exactly how I saw it. They don’t HAVE to do anything. But to imply that they shouldn’t lose weight because it (allegedly) looks more feminine is discounting a lot of important reasons why one might WANT to lose weight, like health.
I don’t know these girls health and I’m not even going to attempt to make an argument one way or another in regards to it, but just generally speaking, there CAN be reasons why a person should consider losing weight. Just like not everyone is naturally thin (and therefore free from the negative affects on health that thinness brings), not everyone is naturally large. Plus it’s important to consider how comfortable a person looks and feels in their own skin, and how much control they have over their body (are they able to use it to its full potential?) Those are some reasons I can think off of the top of my head that may be more important than mere appearance.
uhm these women look perfectly healthy.Only because somebody weighs more than 100 pounds, doesn t mean they re unhealthy, you know.
first point: They all look pretty. I always loved Tara Lynn and thinks she is all around beautiful. BUT why I dont mind the lingerie per se, the one sitting with her legs spread apart gives the appearance of tackiness.
Second point: I am not fond of the “more feminine” attachment being attached to softer looks. Femininity is not or should not be about a size. Feminine in its purest sense is defined as “pertaining to a woman or a girl”. So if someone is a woman or a girl, she is already feminine. To have feminine attributes or characteristics conventionally attached to women such as delicacy or gentleness is another thing all together. But every woman as far as I am concern is prima facie feminine!
*Rant Over*
oh, this is gonna be a definition disagreement, with no winner. I don’t really need to answer, but, hell, it’s the internet.
For me, feminine means exactly “having feminine attributes or characteristics conventionally attached to women such as delicacy or gentleness”.
Being a woman or girl is being “female”.
Why do I think this way? That is how feminine as an adjective is defined in the dictionary.
Agree, not all women are feminine imo, though what is considered feminine is subjective. But in my opinion, you can’t generalize about size, saying a certain size is more feminine. One large girl can be feminine, another one not so much, same with skinny girls. But larger girls usually have a lot of boob and butt (including me
), which is often considered feminine, but I’ve also seen large girls who aren’t feminine.
Generalization aside, i still think it’s a positive message to send out: that they wanna fight anorexia within the industry. I don’t think anyone should be scared that skinny will suddenly be considered unattractive, very unlikely to happen. IMHO I always find skinny attractive when it’s natural. Which isn’t always the case with runway models, unfortunately.
but they didn’t generalize, if you are going to pick at every little piece. the quote isn’t larger women are more feminine and it certainly didn’t get tagged with ‘than thinner women’ at the end, it said ‘many of the women’ are more feminine. it was an attempt to bring them within the fashion fold, not use them to replace those already there.
It really is true you can’t say anything these days without getting a lawyer in to add addendums in, ad nauseum!
I agree actually, there was nothing wrong with the quote. And i also find it annoying that people nitpick with all these quotes, as i guess i just did
I think i just jumped ahead, because my immediate thought that some would get upset and see the quote as a: “softer women are more feminine quote”, which i don’t think it is, cos u can’t generalize like that. So we actually agree 
Just didn’t come out like that…
“Agree, not all women are feminine imo, though what is considered feminine is subjective. But in my opinion, you can’t generalize about size, saying a certain size is more feminine.”
I feel the same way as you, StrawberryFields! To me, being female is not the same as being feminine. Being feminine is like one step up above being female, and not every girl can achieve it.
However, like you said, being feminine is not exclusive to a particular body size or shape. For example, I think Tara Lynn is feminine, but I don’t think Aubrey O Day is. I also think Candice Swanepoel and Rosie HQ are feminine, even though they are not the same size as Tara. And even further, I think someone like Hilary Duff is feminine, even though she doesn’t have the hourglass/vase body shapes that the other girls I mentioned do.
Femininity is not something that is attached to a specific feature (like only weight, or only softness). It’s taking all of your traits combined together into account, as well as how you present and carry yourself.
The article doesn’t explicitly state anything, but it does sort of imply that extra kilos are more feminine. Sure they use the word, “most” and it makes it sound nicer, but it’s still just taking a single feature and using it to gauge a thing (femininity) that is far more complex than a single feature.
Take Tara Lynn for example. I can describe her as soft, plus-sized, and round faced. You may think she’s feminine, but then I can show you a picture of a nother girl with that same description and you may not think she is feminine at all.
I think people who focus only on one feature to define if something is beautiful or if something is feminine are really secluding themselves from appreciating a lot of beauty and femininity in the world that exists. It’s pretty similar to saying things like, “Only people with white skin are beautiful.” By thinking like that and making beauty so dependant on a single trait, you miss out on appreciating all of the other beauty that can exist.
Perfect comment.
Sometime I think femininity has more to so with facial features and how one carries themselves rather than the body…I think audrey o’day vs. tara lynn is a perfect example although audrey looks like a female the plastic surgery and the tacky tan make her less feminine in my eyes… but I also think keira knightly is feminine even though she has stronger bone structure and jaw line, which could make her look androgynous sometimes.
I so agree with you, Casey, that was exactly my point. Femininity (?) is really not about a specific quality, body shape or trait, it varies from each person. And i can even find a boyish, androgynous girl to be very feminine, and another one who isn’t. It’s very subjective, and some might find a woman feminine, that i don’t view as feminine at all.
Not that it is always the case, of course i find some people unattractive too 
And also, it’s not necessarily a bad thing not to be feminine. It is a positive trait imo, but it can be positive to be “unfeminine” too, there can be a charm and great quality about a girl who isn’t feminine at all
I agree Casey.
One thing I want to add, though, is that femininity is not exclusive to people who have vaginas. My understanding is that femininity is like the social expression of your gender…to me people who wear pastels or “soft” colours can be feminine, and it definitely does not have anything to do with weight IMO. For example, Andrej Pejic epitomises femininity for me. He is male and very skinny, so that removes rules about sex and weight. I think femininity it is more to do with facial features, overall shape, and expressions of gender (like clothes, behaviours, mannerisms, etc).
Strawberry Fields, I just read your second comment and it definitely summarises everything I think on the subject
Femininity is subjective and depends a lot on cultural ideas of gender expression. It is hard to make a rule about what is and what isn’t feminine.
couldn’t respond below, so here I am. isn’t it nice to agree, so rare on here these days
I actually wonder if the reason people nitpick is because no matter how reasonable the quote is the basic message offends them. for instance I think the plus size movement – if you can call it that- has left many skinny women feeling -not victimiszed, but left out? Confused? certainly they have gone from being the accepted ideal to being publically shamed, even though half the people doing the criticising are actually skinny themselves, such as Nina Dobrev. and while I completely understand that- I don’t want to hear someone say short = ugly for instance- all I would say is that maybe its an oppportunity to experience a mile in another persons shoes, after all this is how larger women have always been treated.
Beautiful cover, beautiful girls! I know the fashion industry calls them “plus size”, to me they are healthy sexy women. And I also think that the “more feminine” comment is gonna shake up things here, haha! I personally agree with the words of the editor.
Why can’t they have a cover without headlining that there are plus size models on it? I would like magazines to just have normal or plus models on their covers for just the sake of being on the cover and not make an ordeal about their size.
YES! It makes SUCH a big deal of body shape, it makes people more tense about their personal shape the obsessive way it is being discussed in the media.
and that’s the aim of the media! If we were all happy with our bodies and felt secure not as many people would but the magazines (sure some still would, but they would definately lose a lot of people), they wouldn’t sell the surgery, the makeup, the diet products, the clothes, the magazines (to check that we are up to date with how we should look) etc. The media makes the money BASED on insecurities. It’s their job to create them and milk it for all it’s worth…they aren’t stupid people behind the scenes you know…and they aren’t there to create a sense of vaildation and security within the general population!
That’s not reality … These girls are very beautiful , but many Plus size people struggle with bad skin and most of them don’t have this beautiful bodyshape… They feel very uncomfortable !!!
I’m also sure that these 3 models workout for their bodies and eat healthy !!!
People of all shapes and sizes can have bad skin — it has nothing to do with being plus-size. Sure, good nutrition can help your skin, but there are tons of thin people with bad nutrition. Also, any person can feel uncomfortable in their own skin no matter their weight, size or looks. Just because a person is considered plus size doesn’t mean they don’t love their body.
I’ve never said that only plus size people struggle with bad skin ! but most of overweight people think that their only chance to feel attractive and be beautiful is to loose weight !
do you know many people who are overweight and feel sexy at the same time???
i know probably 2 of 100 !!!
That is sad that they think that. Losing weight does nothing except make you a smaller version of yourself. It doesn’t change your personality. There is an interesting article on that false belief here: http://kateharding.net/2007/11/27/the-fantasy-of-being-thin/
How is it not reality? Many plus size women are actually healthy and they work out and eat well – and have good skin! These models are just not thin and carry a bit of extra weight – which is absolutely fine for many people. You don’t need to be at your lowest ideal body weight (like most models – or under it, as is often the case) or be triathlon-ready to be healthy! Now if they were obese, you might have a point – but they don’t look very fat to me. Size 12-16 is really not that huge, especially if you’re 5’10″ or taller – but of course it depends on the person. And being a size 12-14 myself I can honestly say that I don’t feel ‘very uncomfortable’ – but I realise you are generalising.
It’s okay if you find them too big, but saying that it isn’t ‘reality’ is overstating it – many ‘plus size’ women can be just as beautiful as their ‘straight size’ counterparts – and often more so, in my eyes.
a part of my comment was :
” I’m also sure that these 3 models workout for their bodies and eat healthy !!! “
I agree I am a size 10 and and not as lucky to be so proportionate …also I don’t eat very healthy and just began a work out routine. I do believe you can be a size 10-16 and still be healthy mindful of food and exercise…you will look totally diff from a size 10-16 who doesn’t do that.
I wonder if this is true for the smaller sizes like 0-8 the naturally slim girl who is a couch potato and the one who works out 5 days a week and rarely eats junk food…
honey,these models ain t plus size.At least not plus size outside of the fashion world.
Agreed! I don’t exactly consider a 12, 14 or even 16 (given the height and body structure) as plus size. To me the women on the cover seem more average size not really plus but not minus sized either but just in the middle. I think people need to redefine the word “plus size” But where can I get my hands on this issue.
The thing is, sizes 12, 14, 16 have only become “average” in the past couple decades as women (and men and children) have gotten bigger and bigger. Even though those sizes are more typical now, that doesn’t make them the size they’re supposed to be.
Sure, some people would be bigger regardless of their diet and exercise, but the “average” size today is just not what the human body was meant to look like.
Agree Amy.
I think the problem is that these sizes have become average for women of average height…which is about 5’4 or so. For women who are a half a foot taller than the average woman like many models are, while they aren’t particularly thin at this size, being that size doesn’t necessarily have the same (health) implications as it might for women of average height. (I think that this is the group binks is referring to).
I think we’ve become accustomed to seeing tall thin women who are at the low end or even under the recommended weight for their height.
Most height/weight charts recommend at the low end that women with small/light frames not be below about 130-140 lbs at 5’9-5’11″ and have an upper weight limit of about 145-155lbs. For medium and larger frames the limits only increase, obviously, but to give an example a woman who is 5’10″ with a large frame (as many of the plus size models have) is recommended to weigh between 149-182lbs.
Of course I understand that body composition play into whether or not a woman is healthy at any given weight, but I also think we tend underestimate how much weight women can carry before being considered, medically, overweight. Whether or not a woman is “fat” has unfortunately become more of a matter of opinion than fact for many people.
I think that’s why the issue of questioning the health of plus sized models is such a farce to an extent. I do admit that there some are at clearly unhealthy weights, but the same can be said about strait sized models who are underweight.
BTW the human body comes in many shapes and sizes and there isn’t really a standard of what it’s supposed to look like (of course not counting disfigurement, or genetic issues that cause mutations). I’m not trying to be nitpicky with that but historically ideas of a human standard/ideals have led to some people being subjected to mistreatment. (Look up Saartjie Baartman)
I’m a bit confused…what is the human body meant to look like? I don’t think there is just one size or shape…firstly racial features will mean the size and shape is different depending on which country you are from. A Polynesian woman is going to look very different at her ideal weight than her counterpart from Singapore.
Also, surely the human body is only “meant” to get us through our lives and keep us healthy while we’re alive…different shapes and sizes can achieve this. I think it’s a fallacy to think there’s one right way we’re meant to look.
Also just to add: that over centuries, humans have become taller (which is going to change average weights) and our life expectancy has increased from mid-thirties to mid-eighties. We can’t be doing everything wrong!
Edith, I feel like you’re purposely misinterpreting my posts. I didn’t suggest that there is a “correct” form for women to fit and all those who deviate are unnatural. Of course, there is a range of typical shapes and sizes but it is deliberately naive to say that American women haven’t gotten larger due to unhealthy lifestyle choices (I can speak only for American woman). We as a society are distorting the way the human body evolved to function with an excess of calorie-dense and artificial foods.
These women may be healthy and may be this size regardless of whether they were born today or 200 years ago, but the average woman who is a 12-16 is that size because she’s making choices that raise her weight, choices only recently available that are leading to the health crisis strangling America.
If everyone had the optimal nutrition intake, there would still be plus sizes, but it wouldn’t be considered the norm it is today.
I’m definitely not purposefully doing that, and I’m sorry you feel I am. I simply read your comment and responded according to how I interpreted it.
You wrote “the “average” size today is just not what the human body was meant to look like”.
I took this to mean the average size now (.e. bigger than it used to be) isn’t what humans are “meant” to look like (i.e. it is unnatural). Collectively I understood you were saying the human species isn’t “meant” to be so large.
That was my genuine understanding of what you wrote and I’m sorry if it comes across like I’m being purposefully misunderstanding or anything.
I agree with you that the average size has changed and humans are getting larger. This is a fact. But there are too many factors involved (e.g. medical advances, changes in food availabilty, racial and ethnic shifts, globalisation, inequal distribution of wealth, capitalist social structures, etc) to blame the change in size on poor lifestyle choices.
It is also naive to think that getting larger is indicative of bad health as a rule, or that medical advances haven’t offset some of the health problems once associated with size. I dunno, maybe I’m not making much sense. I actually only had issue with that last sentence you wrote. The rest of your comment was fine.
@PinkLadi I couldn’t have responded better myself.
12-16 is plus size in the real world. I only know one or two who is a size 16. I’m a size 12-14 at 6′ and that’s actually overweight according to bmi, and i’m definitely bigger than average. I would say 6-10 is average…
Look, I have had Grave’s disease AND Hashimoto’s disease. Meaning my thyroid has gone sky high and then died. My size has been anywhere from a 6 to a 20 before settling back at a 8/10. I am 5’9″ and about 155. I NEVER had bad skin. while it is true that I still was an hourglass, I felt very uncomfortable at my biggest, but to say a size 12 has bad skin and is uncomfortable is silly. What a generalization! My SIL isn’t overweight and has the worst skin ever! Even after multiple chemical peels. Don’t be silly.
I can bet you anything these women have been slimmed down by photoshop
That’s not saying much… straight sized models get slimmed down by photoshop sometimes and in other cases they have their bodies smoothed out to get rid of visible ribs/sternum/hip bones/vertebre etc. (check out some candids vs. finished shots). Photoshop and fashion go hand in hand, these models are no less legitimate for being photoshopped than thin models are.
That isn’t saying much. They photoshop almost every woman’s body to appear slimmer and smoother. They do it to size 2 women all the time. It really doesn’t have anything to do with them being bigger
I really like this cover, especially that it’s black&white, quite classic.
they look great these model are the perfect example of plus size…not fluvia lacerda which is not plus size is just fat.
I love their faces and the message they’re trying to get across but not the execution. I’m not keen on the open legs pose, I think it makes it look a bit tacky.
Also, I know it’s great they’re featuring plus size models, but covering them all up sort of defeats the object? Shove Tara behind the table, have Candice with her breasts being the main focus (big breasts are stereotypically seen as attractive on a stick thin model or a plus size) and cover most of Robyn up. If I saw this cover in a shop I wouldn’t know these women were plus size.
Tara is not behind the table, is on top of the table, but in that picture (smaller than in reality) hard to see it.
Aaahhhh I see, still hardly showing her figure though
This cover is sexy. Also being that Vogue Italia dedicated an issue to black models I’m a little more susceptible to believing her attempts at featuring more diversity. I love Robyn and Tara. I have no problem with high fashion models I just think sample sizes should be a wider range like 0-10 as opposed to 0-4. Not every tall girl has a small body frame or a ruler shape it would be refreshing to see bigger sizes in these magazines, ads and runways. Designers using the excuse that they want the “clothes to wear the model and not the other way around” and “the clothes look better on thinner models” is no excuse.
Other than Robin’s open legs, I like the cover. I also like the fact that plus sized models are being used in a more mainstream way. Hopefully one day the labels can disappear and beautiful women of all shapes and sizes can be used in fashion!
As for the ‘more feminine’ comment, which I’m sure will raise some eyebrows – I think it just refers to the traditional image of women that was around for hundreds of years prior to the 20th Century. Rubenesque women were all the rage for a very long time and it is still seen as a hallmark of femininity – but that is somewhat antiquated now. I believe that all women are ‘feminine’, obviously – but there are certain traits that are more closely associated with the label, and that will take a while to change as it is often deeply ingrained.
I certainly grew up with the idea that a curvy figure was a female ideal (whether on a thin woman or a big one), but seeing all the models in my lifetime changed that idea to a large extent when I was a teenager. Now I can see that both the gazelle-like fashion models and the more ‘rubenesque’ pin-ups and plus sized models are all examples of the beauty and diversity of women. As long as a woman is comfortable in her body, not trying to fit herself into someone else’s ideal (at her detriment) and looking after herself then she is ‘feminine’ no matter what her shape and size.
I still understand the different labels though, but I think they will change over time – they have certainly gone through changes before. Maybe in our lifetimes we will see a happy medium where there is not one ‘ideal’ sort of body that is unattainable for many women – maybe we will finally accept many different shapes as quintessentially and beautifully female.
They don’t look that big! They look beautiful honestly.
They are beautiful but why are most “plus-size” models always styled in lingerie? To catch attention? I’m not familiar with Vogue Italia but I don’t think this is the most effective way to send their message. They can be stunning without having to bare their bodies in such a way. Then again, it could have been a coincidence and maybe I’m reading too much into it.
In fact, it’s more the contrary, lingerie is more often displayed with plus size models because “normal” models, i.e. skinny ones, are so skinny that their body is much better when hidden by clothes.
Am I the only person who is like *eye roll* about them being at a dinner table?! We
get it. They’re not anorexic. Thanks, italian vogue, I’d never have gotten you message of support and body acceptance if you hadn’t made this shoot at the dinner table with food. That actually really annoys me. I’m over the plus sized+food shoots, like crystal renns with the food and squid which was disturbing btw. Maybe I’m feeling snippity this morning, but I feel there did not have to be a dining table and food involved at all in this sort of pin up film noire style shoot. Its totally unnecessary.
I thought they might choose the dinner table because it s VOGUE ITALIA – you know, Italy has beautiful women,great wine and delicious food ( in a nutshell that s what most people think Italy is like).
I don t think it has anything to do with them being considered plus size.
His quote leads me to believe that every aspect of this cover is intentional, I find it hard to believe that the food is just because its italy. His quote says nothing about how great italy is. Italians are reading it, they already know the foods great and the women are supposed to be beautiful. His quote is about how he wants to take an active role in combating the idea that fashion=eating disorders. And he chose to do it using plus sized women, which is wonderful. They’re gorgeous women, and I have nothing against them or their role in this. But everything is not arbitrary.
its an interesting point. I honestly never thought twice about them being at a table. the overall feel i got was black and white 40′s film noir, and reminiscent of the cafe scene that i always asscoatiate with paris, milan. but that is simply the feel i got. you could be right, tho I am not sure i get the point overall if you are. I doubt many question that plus size models eat!
Maybe it’s a combination of the two? “Italy has great wine and food, and here are some women that are not afraid to enjoy it?” That’s the feeling I get from it. But it is kind of frustrating that every time a high fashion magazine uses a plus-sized model, they have to make a point of it. As if it wasn’t obvious enough; I’m pretty sure a plus-sized model stands out a lot in a magazine without bold letters stating that she is plus-sized.
I think the “message” they are trying to send would be more powerful if they started featuring plus-sized models subtly…in ad campaigns just here or there, without the big letters and the big deal about how they are being featured.
I mean, just how many times can you do the whole, “WE ARE BREAKING BARRIERS. WE ARE FEATURING PLUS-SIZED MODELS.” I mean, this is something that’s been going on pretty much every few months for the past few years. Exactly how many times can you break a single barrier?
It needs to be broken enough times until it isn’t considered a barrier anymore. The fact it’s still a big deal to put “plus sized” women on a cover of a magazine, indicates there’s a long way to go before more subtle changes can be made.
But yeah, I agree with your comment for sure. Ideally we shouldn’t need to focus on them being plus-sized women, they should just be women. Or even just people – what a novel concept
edith the elf,
I don’t think I worded myself right. I meant, you can’t be the “the first one” or the one breaking grounds by featuring plus-sized covers, when it was already done last week. You can’t be the first one doing it 20 times.
I also don’t think a magazine has truly EVER broken the barrier of weight in fashion. It’s more like they tip-toe to the border, put their toe over it, and then run back. To truly break the barrier would to start featuring plus-sized models on a regular basis, alongside skinny models as if it’s not a big deal. What they’re doing now, is just taking advantage of fads to increase ratings momentarily, but refuse to “upset” the fashion world by actually making using plus-sized models a norm.
Yes, I definitely agree. I had misunderstood what you wrote…but your second paragraph is absolutely spot on.
Again: sorry, I’m feeling snippity haha
Also, they’re all lovely. But third to the right: I believe your vagina is showing, dear, in case you’d felt a draft and had no idea from whence it came.
All these plus size models gain weight proportionately because their bone structure is convenient to weight gain. This is not the case with every plus size women unfortunately. Also they have this photoshop thing in every picture.
Femininity is about the curvaciousness not the size. For example Nina Dobrev is skinny but has curves at the same time.
My problem is not wether the models in the mags are skinny or bigger or whatever you want to call it, the issue is that they photoshop the hell out of all of them, so regardless of the size, they create this ideal standard that does not really exist
These girls look stunning. Just shows you can be beautiful and plus size.
You can be beautiful at any size. There are just as many unattractive women at any size
Yeah but some people dont think that. I’m a borderline plus size woman. I used to be bigger than I am now. In process of losing weight. Lots of people call me beautiful but some people think being bigger means you’re ugly.
It’s possible that as you lost weight your bone structure become more visible, making your natural beauty show through more.
I’m bothered by this comment.
It works for some people, but not everyone.
For naturally petite people, like me, being thinner (but healthy) looks better, from my personal experience.
It really depends on the person.
I’m also bothered. Why does visible bone structure allow your natural beauty to show through…since when are your bones the part of you that holds the beauty?!
Sheesh, I was just trying to offer a flattering explanation as to why she was getting positive feedback after losing weight that wasn’t about her body.
Y’all act like I suggested an ounce of fat makes you hideous.
I agree with Amy for some people. There are two types of pretty faces in my mind. One is rounder, softer with even features but not much in the way of interesting bone structure. The other has strong, exotic bones. If someone if the latter variety had a pudgy face they would probably be less attractive.
The most wonderful body in the world, will not be appreciated by everyone. There will always be people who like it and people who don’t.
But it has nothing to do with the size of your body, it is only people’s opinion. THE WORLD DOES NOT AGREE IN ONE SINGLE THING, do not worry about who don’t like it, it’s just their opinion.
The only person that has to love your body is YOU. If you don’t like it, change it, but don’t change it because someone don’t like.
Is a size 12 at 5’11 really considered plus size now?
They are all beautiful women but the poses just make them look cheap. Pushing the boobs out and a crotch shot shouldn’t be the look you’re going for if you’re trying to promote beauty
Exactly! But this cover is not really to promote any kind of beauty, is to sell more copies. The regular subscribers will bought it and some men too.
Belle vere loosely translated is true beauty so yes they are supposedly promoting beauty at different sizes. I think they are beautiful women but it could have been done in a more tasteful way
I love the publications of plus size models, it’s great, is good for the mental health of all women, is a good step in fashion industry. I’ve always thought that the variety is a very important value in beauty.
But I want more! What about median-height women? and, What happens to medium women, not too thin or plus size? I want more variety, I hope the day when I open a magazine and see many types of women, many types of bodies, in short, many types of beauty. I hope the day I can say: Hey! that girl has a body similar to mine, and it is gorgeous! and the clothes fit great in her. That day I will feel that fashion is something really good.
Two things. Yes the spread is very sexual, but it’s Vogue Italy. Most magazines in Europe are more sexual. They aren’t uncomfortable with the female form like Americans are. All my European friends are much more comfortable with sex, their bodies, nudity, and the sexuality of others over my American friends. So I”m not surprised if some of you were shocked and most likely uncomfortable. American women HATE when another women dresses sexy/revealing. They get jealous/uncomfortable and then call her trashy to feel better.
Two, I hate the word plus-size and curvy. Curvy used to be such a beautiful word to describe a women’s body. Now it’s just another word for fat. Curvy used to describe shape and not weight. In Hollywood and the Modeling world there is anorexic skinny and plus-size/fat. What happened to the in-between. You know, the size of MOST PEOPLE. I very rarely see women that are 6ft tall and weigh 100-110 lbs. There are about 7 sizes between 0 and 16. And the average women is around 5’4. Lets see more of that on the big screen and magazines. http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lm0u7s4Opx1qf2ujdo1_500.jpg
America is home to Playboy and Jersey Shore and Maury and Jerry Springer so don’t even use that “Americans are prudes and against sexuality” crap speech. America also has the highest teen pregnancy rate in all of the western world. In case you didn’t know America is home to Playboy which has millions of young American girls begging to get in to have orgy parties with a really old man. They also go topless. In America insecure women will get breasts jobs by the dozen to be more “Sexual” in others eyes. If you ever noticed WOMEN are constantly nude or half nude in all advertisements and movies from Hollywood however a mans penis is never visible and will and is never seen EVER. Why is that? Are men just so precious that we should never see them naked but always see women naked? People or women who find that morally wrong and degrading are criticized constantly and it’s not fair. Posing for a cover so old men can masturbate over you is disgusting and degrading and gives men another reason to degrade women and think of us only as sex objects. Women have the right to think that women should just do and be more than just sitting there with their legs more especially since it’s seen everywhere can’t magazines and models be a little more different or unique this time? with their poses i’ve seen it plenty of times in magazines.
wowza: Here is the difference. Playboy is PORN for MEN! Vogue is a FASHION magazine for WOMEN! The nudity in the Vogue Italia spread is SOOO different than a playboy spread. Two entirely different industries for two different genders. One magazine you have to be 18 or older to buy and the other is for any age. And Jersey Shore, Maury, and Jerry are all trashy shows. And maybe feeding our teen pregnancy rise. I’m not saying Americans are prudes against sexuality. I’m saying many American women are uncomfortable with the female form. Every beach in Europe is topless. That is how it is. The women usually do that according to my European friends so they don’t get “awkward tan lines.” I’ve also been to Europe and no one treated it as a weird thing. You would get stared at for wearing a top over not wearing one. Men also don’t stare at them like pigs. In America all the men would stare. There is a fine line between trash and class as well as sex and nudity. Playboy sells sex, Vogue sells beauty. Beauty can be in any form. Makeup and no makeup. Clothes and no clothes. And I do think the penis shouldn’t be so “secret” in the media but the female body is typically looked at as more esthetically beautiful than a mans.
Nudity in the USA=Sex (all the time)
Nudity in Europe=Beauty (most of the time)
I very rarely see Male strip clubs or mainstream porn magazines geared towards women (they do however exist.) I also very rarely see women ASKING for more male nudity in films/print. I think most AMERICAN men are pigs. So degrading and rude. We live in a country where we teach “don’t get raped” instead of “don’t rape” That is just BS to me. We also live in a country originally based on religious freedom however many schools teach only abstinence in schools and Planned Parenthood may loose ALL government funding. MTV’s 16 and pregnant has also “glamorized” teen pregnancy. All a shame.
there are differences and i am personally all for a healthy embracing of the natural form- depsite my natural shyness, but lets not totally romaticise us europeans. Sexual perversion is a unifying disease occurring across all ethinicities on all continents. There are ‘vapid look at me I have boobies wooo!’ type girls and ‘grab your bum or anything else I can squeeze’ men everywhere. i would call them boys, but i have had the unique pleasure of being perved on by grandads in those naked saunas.
“Every beach in Europe is topless. That is how it is. The women usually do that according to my European friends so they don’t get “awkward tan lines.” I’ve also been to Europe and no one treated it as a weird thing. You would get stared at for wearing a top over not wearing one. Men also don’t stare at them like pigs.”
Wait. WHAT?! This is so not true! First of all, topless women are a minority in most beaches. Secondly, you would NEVER get stared at just for wearing a top, it’s totally normal. Even if you were to go to a nudist beach they are still not going to stare at you for wearing a top. And thirdly, if the woman is hot, guys will definitely stare or try to look without being noticed. I’ve even seen them take pictures. When they don’t look it’s because it’s mostly older women doing this and they are not interested. The only beaches where most young women are topless are nudist, or semi nudist beaches, with few people, and where the guys are often naked too.
Whaha so funny and true, I posted almost the exact same thing at the same time if you scroll down a little.. I wouldn’t dream to walk on a beach without a bikini top, not because I am ashamed but because my boobs are private and no one other than my boyfriend and myself needs to see them! I laughed so hard when I read these “Europe is so chill about nudity” comments.
I think the difference is that America sees nudity as a sexual thing but Europe tends to view nudity as a natural thing with no sexual connotations at all. For instance, in Europe it is common to have naked saunas. This is not a sexual thing and often they will be mixed sex. In Germany, for instance, they have naked tramping. This is not sexual, just about being naked outdoors and being happy. People who do this are not ashamed, they are just being in a natural state.
In America, however, the naked saunas tend to occur in a sexualised context (the Playboy house, college fraternity drunken parties, brothels, etc). This is a huge and very important difference.
And I say this as an unbiased person from New Zealand
Our culture has influences from both Europe and America so it seems quite clear to me that European culture tends to view the naked body more as an art form than an expression of sexuality (which is how America tends to see it).
And just to note, this is obviously a generalisation, but I think it is true for the most part.
Also, wowza, your first sentence kind of captures the point I was trying to make: “America is home to Playboy and Jersey Shore and Maury and Jerry Springer”.
Those forms of nudity are HIGHLY sexualised (or at least distanced from the mainstream by making them out to be a circus or freak show). In America, there appears to be a lack of open and relaxed attitudes to nudity. If you spend time in Europe the difference will become ridiculously obvious. For the most part Europeans just don’t care about nudity and sexuality. It isn’t the Big Thing it is in America.
there is a difference in the way america as a society versus some european countries view the human body. But sex is a different thing again. for instance In many countries in europe being naked in saunas is perfectly normal, or topless on a beach, but in america it is slightly less likely to be the norm, although it is a big country with each state being slightly different in their attitudes. I do however think there is a tendency, within the media at least, to scandalise any remotely sexualised image, which to some extent makes the issue worse as regards the points that wowza made- ie attaching a childish shock value to dressing scantily or flashing your boobs.
I think this is a measure of Vogue and fashion more than any individual country. I find the fashion industry again has an attitude all of its own.
Ahahaha, I should have read further down before I wrote my comment. Sorry for repeating some of what you wrote, amazon – just goes to show that I would have written a post saying “I agree” anyway
Ehm, it’s is very untrue that it is considered “normal” in Europe to walk on the beach without a top. And I would know because I am European born and have lived in Spain, England, Belgium and the Netherlands. There are very few nude beaches yes, but on the average beach you’d only see old ladies sunbathing topless, no one under 30 would even think about it. Culture has changed a lot in Europe over the past 50 years. Our culture is very, very similar to American culture. The tv shows we watch, the stores we go to, the clothes we wear and the food we eat, all very similar. I know for a fact many Americans have a very romantic image about Europe, but really it isn’t that much different here. The female body is objectified just as much over here as in the US.
And the nude saunas – they are only a great place to go to if your like being stared at by creepy middle aged and older men. I believe Europe used to be more laid back about body’s but my generation (twenty-somethings and younger) really isn’t.
I’m european and I live in Europe. I do believe that there is less embarrassing about sex and nudity than in USA, but what I don’t like about this cover is that the representation of a decadent bacchanalia.
And look, you can’t see much their bodies, are well covered, but the attitude, legs spread, Tara over the table (who eats over the table?, or is for no gettind dirty her high heels?), with black lingerie and large jewels (the second thing a woman takes off after the heels to feel comfy), furs, … three women decide to eat toghether and do it in underwear? Please. It’s a sexist cover and does not promote the curvy models.
In contrast, in Elle France Tara Lynn went completely naked, (not like in Vogue) but the image was not sex, sex, sex. It was a beautiful image which showed why she is a plus-size model and how beautiful her curves are. THIS promote curvy models, Italian Vogue is not.
Here you can see Tara for Elle:http://mundoluisito.files.wordpress.com/2011/02/tara.jpg
wow weve never seen huge boobs like that in vogue lol
They look gorgeous and i agree that in europe its more comfortable with nudity,, i love all the pictures in the spread they have great bodies,, i am sick of seeing stick thin figures with huge boobs not every body can look the same we need some variety
Hmmm, I’m not surprised it’s Vogue Italia who’s doing this – if it was American Vogue (very conservative) or French Vogue (prefers very thin models) I would be a little in shock. That said, I really hate the ignorance in Franca Sozzani’s comment. First off, “why should they slim down?” Well, if they are healthy, they shouldn’t but personally I think they are a little higher than their optimal weight – again, I’m not a doctor, but it’s rare to be that size (12-16) and be as healthy as if you were a size 6-8 imo. And they aren’t even saying it’s for health reasons, they’re saying they shouldn’t slim down because they already look “beautiful and feminine.” Okay, so they should sacrifice their health to look appealing? No, thanks. And besides, I don’t think they are more beautiful and feminine than thinner models. They simply aren’t in my eyes. Their faces are beautiful, but I find more delicate women such as Jac Jagaciak and Edita Vilkeviciute (both who are slightly curvy but skinny) more feminine and beautiful. I’m sick and tired of people trying to pit skinny against curvy and curvy against skinny. I just want to scream sometimes, because the media is making us all hate each other by saying one body type is desirable and then the next day turning on us and saying, “well no, THIS is.” I hate the hypocrisy (Vogue Italia was still using thin models, last time I checked). I just loathe how this seems like one huge fad, and everyone is trying to make us buy into it. The reality is that Vogue Italia does not care about anorexia, it cares about making money, and it is trying to market more to the average consumer by stroking their egos – “Hey! You’re more feminine and beautiful than those skinny girls you always hated!” It just sickens me, sorry. Use of plus-size models doesn’t “show” your “commitment against anorexia” when you’re still using thin models in your magazines. And I don’t think advocating plus size models is much healthier – because while they might be healthy, the average American at that size is not. I just really don’t think it’s any healthier an image than using size 00, because these models may not be extreme, but it’s still instilling the message in the average population that it’s OK to have a few extra pounds under the guise of looking “feminine and beautiful.” It kind of sickens me because it just doesn’t seem sincere. At all.
If they were 5’4 at that size it would be one thing but they are all 5’9-6′. Being underweight is not healthier than being overweight. 6′ wearing a size 6 would be like a 5’4 woman wearing a size 0-2. It’s not natural for the most part to get that thin
You’re entitled to your own opinion as to what you think looks good but you really can’t say that a size 12-16 isn’t healthy for women that height
>:(
Visually, maybe, but don’t speak in terms of health saying that women should be this size or that based on their height to be healthy.
I am 6’0 and naturally a size 2 and to be a size 12-16 I would have to gain an unnatural amount of weight for my body. So yes, I really can say it would be unhealthy for at least some women of that height to be a size 12-16.
I don’t see many tall women like that with a small enough frame to actually be able to get down to a size 2. It’s unnatural for you to be larger and it’s unnatural for many others to be that small. Based on waist to height ratios you’re more likely to be at the healthy size for your height between a ratio of .42-.49. Women with very small frames or very large frames obviously would be an exception
To be honest, I think there is a lot more variation in the frame sizes of taller women versus shorter women. Probably due to the fact that as one gets taller genetics determine how much the frame expands with the height. Some women may get more tall than wide and others more wide than tall.
Some tall women, yes. But for most that is not the case.
I am six foot one, 150 pounds (BMI 19.9) and I fit an American size 10 (according to size conversion charts; I wear a New Zealand size 12 or 14). I could gain 35 pounds and still be healthy for my height (according to BMI*). If I gained 35 pounds, I would definitely be an American size 14 or more yet would still be healthy.
Anyway, you are obviously the exception. Which means it isn’t necessarily unhealthy for a tall woman to be a size 16.
*yeah, acknowledging how shit the BMI scale is, but it’s the best “guide” for the sake of this discussion
I truly envy you for your height. I bet you look absolutely awesome and you turn quite a few heads. Also, i realise some people might tease you or whatever for your height, but those are just haters, trust me
Ok, there is so much non sequitur in my reply it’s foolish, but still, i had to say it, your rock girl! 
Thanks
It took some getting used to when I was younger, but I love being tall now. Yes, it is hard to find pants that fit, and it is uncomfortable on long-haul flights, but overall it has advantages.
I guess I would hate it more if I was a shy person…fortunately my personality is quite outgoing so I don’t mind attracting lots of attention when I go out wearing heels
I know but what I’m saying is that I don’t know if they are healthy, but the average American woman is not 5’9″-6′, and I think this can really be interpreted in the wrong way for people who are 5’4″ and also size 12, 14, 16. I’m not saying all overweight people are unhealthy (of course there are exceptions), but let’s face it, the average American could lose some weight, and looking at these images of models who may be their size numerically but are much taller (therefore, probably healthier) isn’t going to help.
I think that the females seeing any models at the same size but much taller has bad effect. Seeing plus size models won’t make people unhealthier than if they never saw them. The same people that are unhappy with their bodies will continue to be unhappy even if they see a model that is supposedly their size
I agree. In fact as a taller woman hearing the weights of my shorter friends makes me feel incredibly gross and upset. Even though I’m taller and that’s the reason I weight more, it’s still hurts when someone makes a comment like “150 pounds is revolting” (someone wrote than on an article here about Christina Aguleira, who is obviously very short). I’m sure that comment was only talking about short people (yes I realise it is cruel in that case too) but for taller people being 150 pounds could actually be unhealthily skinny for them.
That’s why I think it’s important that a variety of heights, a variety of weights, and a variety of body shapes are represented in a positive way. We are all different and the endless comparisons with other people who don’t look like us – well, it’s just hurting everyone.
/end rant
I’ve seen some comments on here about how people above a certain size should be ashamed of themselves. I realize that they probably mean for shorter women but I(at 5’11) will still feel bad because of the fact that I am larger than that and probably couldn’t ever be that small because of a large frame
I sort of agree with you. I would prefer it if the plus-sized were shot with skinny models instead of as a group. Edita is my fav model. Interestingly, I also find her just as feminine as these models but exponentially more beautiful. She has perfect bone
structure. I disagree about saying size 6-8 is healthier in general. These models are very tall and possibly larger framed. While shopping, I often see women that are equally fat as these models buying size 6-8. They are just built really small. Body fat percentage is probably the best indicator.
I agree. Robyn is 6ft with a 30 inch waist and and 43 inch hips and although those sound like larger measurements they aren’t for someone of her stature..I think she’s quite healthy looking judging by the fact that her collar bones protrude, but i’m no doctor either. As for the other models, I think they are very beautiful, but I don’t know much about their size and measurements, so I won’t comment on them or my perception of their health.
I think most women Robyn’s height would have to struggle to maintain 23-27 waists and 34-38 inch hips unless they had the help of genetics…I know women who are 5’3-5’5 range who have to work very hard/restrict calories to maintain measurements that are for size 2-8 so I imagine it’d be twice as hard for women who are half a foot taller….
i agree with everything you say but i would go further and say that the only way to know if they are healthy is to give them a full physical. Should we then administer such a test to everyone in the public eye, ban anyone from calling them attractive if they don’t pass with flying colours?
I really really hate the health argument. Can people honestly not distinguish between the potential dangers to MENTAL health that might be posed by images of excessively skinny models as opposed to the idea of any model being used as a PHYSICAL health role model? I personally am doubtful about the extent of influence skinny models actually have in both the development of eating disorders and the self esteem or behaviour of the average woman. I believe that as usual the media has greatly exaggerated things. However there is no doubt that skinny is idealised to an extreme within the fashion industry and it has had truly tragic consequences, consequences that people believe warrant a change in their attitude and the images that they present. It does not mean that models are now the representatives of the Health of the Nation and must not smoke, not eat junk, not drink etc etc. It simply asks that fashion stop being so exclusive and embrace different weights, so that the perception of BEAUTY is no longer one dimensional. Swinging from one extreme to another may seem overkill, but this is the group, size 16UK and up, that probably feels the most excluded. The truth is most slim women are seen as ideal in everyday society, so they (we??) aren’t probably as bothered one way or another.
Fashion itself remains shallow, self aggrandizing and elitist, so those who prefer the skinny aesthetic, relax, they still secretly love you best, and will never stop promoting your ideal.
Amazon, this could be one of the best comments I’ve ever read on this site.
Fantastic comment amazon – just perfect!
“I’m sick and tired of people trying to pit skinny against curvy and curvy against skinny. I just want to scream sometimes, because the media is making us all hate each other by saying one body type is desirable and then the next day turning on us and saying, “well no, THIS is.” I hate the hypocrisy (Vogue Italia was still using thin models, last time I checked). I just loathe how this seems like one huge fad, and everyone is trying to make us buy into it. The reality is that Vogue Italia does not care about anorexia, it cares about making money, and it is trying to market more to the average consumer by stroking their egos – “Hey! You’re more feminine and beautiful than those skinny girls you always hated!”
I so 100% agree with this. I was trying to express this in some of my comments but found it hard to, and I’m glad you did.
(also, I know I just quoted like a third of your comment, but that’s because when I started highlighting I kept going, “Oh and this sentence too, oh and this one too, and this!”
Agree!
Word. Amen. etc.
i agree.
some of these magazines act like they care about women and health when really, they don’t. it’s about money. what’s wrong with a woman slimming down, especially if the weight is affecting her health? that right way could be promoting women who are big not to lose weight and stay the way you right, even if it’s bad for you. i think the women here are beautiful and won’t take that away from them but can we please stop this skinny vs curvy b.s that is going on?? can women just be women? skinny, curvy, plus size, etc represents femininity if you ask me.
On the good side, at least their making a change from the scary skinny model pattern, even if it is for the wrong reason (money)
And even though plus size models are not my thing this cover actually looks very very beautful
Please don’t use the health argument; if you don’t like how they look, just say that without pretense. The health argument is a warped and shallow excuse. Did you know that for women above 5’6″, having a waist smaller than 27.5″ is considered unhealthy? And that for women with a larger frame, dieting until you hit a size 6-8 means that you’re losing muscle mass without losing fat?
There’s plenty of scientific evidence that being on the heavier side (boderline overweight to slightly overweight) is better for your health that being thin. And nobody’s forgetting that these women are half a foot taller than the average woman. A 5’4″ woman is not going to think her size 14 is the same as a 5’9″ woman’s size 14.
Karin- I also find it a little irritating when people use the ‘health argument’ as it’s overused and is often used simply as a justification for their own preferences. However I think the reason it’s been brought up in this instance is due to the quote “Why should these women slim down? Many of the women who have a few extra kilos are especially beautiful and also more feminine.”
While I agree that women shouldn’t feel obliged or pressured to be at a certain weight, I think the argument that a lot people are making is that people ‘with a few extra kilos’ maybe don’t have to feel that they SHOULD lose weight i.e. they have no other choice but that they COULD as a matter of choice to live a better lifestyle/be healthier.
I’m aware that not all people who are considered overweight are unhealthy but it could also depend on how the quote was interpreted. Some people may take it literally i.e. ‘a few extra kilos’= 1, 2, 3 or 4, while others may take it as a vague/generalising quote i.e. ‘a few extra kilos’= extremely overweight or obese. While that may be what the quote meant, what stands as ‘a few’ extra kilos to one person will always differ to what stands as ‘a few’ to another.
Also “Did you know that for women above 5’6″, having a waist smaller than 27.5″ is considered unhealthy?” Really? I’m 5’10 and my waist is 27 inches, and while I don’t really consider my waist measurement ‘large’ per se, I’ve seen/heard of quite a few people of a similar height with smaller waists.
I’m not a health expert but I’ve always thought that carrying weight around the waist area was considered more unhealthy? I know you didn’t say it was unhealthy for every person with those stats, but for a lot of people 5’6+ I know (myself included), attempting to increase their waist measurement to be considered ‘healthier’ would be extremely difficult!
By the way, I’m not being confrontational- I was simply surprised and intrigued at hearing this, that’s all
Waist to height ratio: it’s considered a more accurate measurement of health than BMI.
Yes, having excess at the middle is bad, but not having enough is just as bad. People tend not to realize this, but having rock solid abs, regardless if you are male or female, is not healthy. To calculate, divide your waist measurement (in inches) by your height (in inches). For women, a ratio of 0.42 and 0.49 is considered healthy.
And I’m pretty sure extremely overweight and obese people hear often enough that they’re unhealthy that a single quote from a fashion editor who most people have never heard of isn’t going to change things.
And I meant 0.42 to 0.49. Whoops.
Karin- I agree with you that having less body fat may be equally as unhealthy as having excess. However I’m kind of getting tired of the way people seem to forget that there is more than one type of ‘healthy’ In saying this, I’m referring to how often people say things like “Oh! She looks perfect- not too skinny/fat- a nice, healthy body!” I’m all for celebrating health and beauty at all sizes, but many people seem to assume that being ‘skinny’ or overweight= anorexia or obesity due to too much food and too little exercise. It doesn’t seem to occur to them that between ‘anorexic-type skinny’ and obesity, there are a whole range of ‘healthy’ sizes!
You said “divide your waist measurement (in inches) by your height (in inches). For women, a ratio of 0.42 and 0.49 is considered healthy.” This theory would give me a ratio of 0.39, which is considered ‘unhealthy’ and the other theory you brought up “Did you know that for women above 5’6″, having a waist smaller than 27.5″ is considered unhealthy?” would also put me in the ‘unhealthy’ category, based solely on my measurements. Yet, according to BMI (which, yes I know isn’t totally accurate) and my body fat percentage as well as a number of other factors, I’m considered ‘healthy.’
“There’s plenty of scientific evidence that being on the heavier side (borderline overweight to slightly overweight) is better for your health that being thin.” There may be numerous studies to indicate this, but I would think that, as I’ve read in many cases that being in the ‘healthy’ weight range i.e. being at a ’bang-on’ weight and having a ‘healthy’ body fat percentage, while maintaining a relatively active lifestyle will usually preside over being ‘borderline overweight’ or slightly overweight. (Again, I’m not saying that every borderline/slightly overweight person is not active- I’m just using a general assumption)
The problem with the kind of studies you’re referring to (and health studies in general) is that they don’t take every factor into account; for example, while my waist may have a supposedly ‘unhealthy’ ratio to my height, as I said, my BMI/body fat are perfectly fine so it is actually possible for my frame to be defined as unhealthily ‘thin,’ but for a number of other factors to indicate otherwise.
1. I never said they weren’t healthy – as I stated above, I’m not their doctor. And when I said I thought that maybe they should be size 6-8, I didn’t estimate they were 6′ tall, I meant more around 5’8″-5’9″. I understand their frames are bigger, but they could have a high body fat percentage also – I’d have to see them in real life, because they are obviously photoshopped here.
2. I really don’t think having a waist smaller than 27.5″ at 5’6″ is unhealthy, because it really depends on your body type. If you’re an hourglass, I don’t think it would be unhealthy at all. No doctor has ever told me I am unhealthy because my waist is smaller than this measurement.
3. I’m not saying you’re a liar, but where is the evidence that being borderline overweight is healthier than being thin? And obviously I’m not talking about bone thin, but on the thinner side of normal? Like BMI 18-19. I really don’t think you can quantify “thin” as just being unhealthier than borderline overweight because there are so many levels of thin. If you’re as skinny as Giuliana Rancic, that’s one thing, but if you’re slim – like Blake Lively, Doutzen Kroes, or Miranda Kerr post-pregnancy – I don’t see how that could be unhealthier than being borderline overweight.
And finally, I agree with Zoe. Using their appearance as a motivating factor not to slim down is what really irritates me. What if they are healthier slimmer? I’m not saying this is the case, but I don’t think looking more “feminine or beautiful” should come in the way of health.
Doctors are some of the worst discriminators against fat people. Most doctors are still being taught the thinner, the better until the BMI floor is crossed…takes a while for the trickle-down from research to practice to happen.
As for it’s healthier to be overweight than underweight (one study in the US, the other in Japan):
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/4468001.stm
http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-world/chubby-people-live-longest-japan-study-20090619-cr4u.html
especially if you’re old:
http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1957491,00.html
I agree that focusing on appearances is not productive, but Francis Sozzani is in a superficial industry and she acknowledges that most of people’s criticisms are based on looks. How often do we question whether or not slim people are healthy or unhealthy? Why assume that models like Jac and Edita are at their optimal weights and that they’re not forcing their bodies to a lower weight that compromises their health?
i’ve read numerous studies like this- some that suggested that the top end of the BMI index should be extended to around 28, studies with showed heart attack patients who carried a little extra weight fared better in recovery than those who were underweight. I have also read about a correlation between wealth and the more positive effects of weight, ie even tho they might be eating too much they are eating good quality nutrtious food. but the one that struck a chord with me was the study I read on the mental effects of maintatining a very low weight and the means that many employ in order to do so, which greatly outweigh any health benefits you might gain. Like the study says it isn’t a black and white issue, no doctor and certainly no untrained individuals should be jumping to conclusions based purely on a few pictures. There is a nasty backlash against the larger women we, very occasionall,y see on the covers of magazines by a small but dedicated core of dissenters. Some are merely fans, but i think some of it definitely comes from within the industry itself. I almost think we make it worse by asking for more diversity- some of them react like little brats- the more you tell them what to do the more they will try and do the opposite.
I’m not discounting your surveys, but there are a whole host of other factors that could be contributing to the numbers in those surveys, as well. I think the level of underweight/overweight is important as well. They are taking people who are borderline overweight – not obese, just slightly above the normal weight range – and comparing them with people who are simply underweight, not borderline underweight. So technically they could be comparing people with BMIs of 15-16 (who might not be as healthy) with people of BMIs of 24-25. I think a more accurate assessment would be comparing borderline underweight (BMI 18) to borderline overweight, otherwise it’s impossible to say “oh, being borderline overweight is healthier than being underweight,” since there are many different levels of being underweight, just as there are many different levels of being overweight.
That being said, you point out that Franca Sozzani “is in a superficial industry and acknowledges that most of people’s criticism are based on looks.” OK, I understand that, but then why use larger people on the pretense of “fighting on the frontline of anorexia?” She uses the health argument herself – against skinny people, and then ignores it at the opposite end of the spectrum. It would be the same thing as saying “OK, we’re cutting out plus size models in an attempt to fight obesity,” and then saying that skinny models shouldn’t gain weight because they are “beautiful and feminine.” If she just wanted to focus on “appearances” as you say, she shouldn’t have said the “fighting anorexia” comment at all.
Finally, we don’t know for sure that Jac and Edita are not below their optimal weights. But there are various indicators – you can often tell when someone looks unhealthy by their graying skin tone, brittle hair, etc. But I also admit I might be biased because I look exactly the same in terms of weight and frame, and I have been told by my doctor that I am basically the epitome of health.
Okay,as a woman who always wants to be like 85lbs at 5’6 (which,yes,I know,is insane) haha and who usually prefers slim women,these women are ten times more beautiful and striking and unique to me than any VS model out there right now. Looks like the runway models of today are gonna have some stiff competition! Damn. They look exquisite. The epitome of female perfection,looks-wise,imo. I just wanna eat them up!haha And yes,the pressure to be thin and toned and overly,”anally” perfect these days is not only ridiculous,I also find it quite unsexy.
I’m curious as to why you want to be 85 pounds?
Uhh, I’m gonna guess an eating disorder.
I was more curious as to why that specific weight more than the overall reason of losing weight
I guess it’s like the extreme of skinny right before like,potential serious problems lol I have a very curvy shape and always had a bit of meat on my bones…But I’ve always wanted to be that thin and have a straight up and down shape,just to see what it would look like and if I would enjoy it. My BMI is healthy,apparently I’m the ”perfect” weight for my height,but the extreme thin look of a lot of fashion models is always what I crave. Pretty sick how we’re brainwashed to believe it’s so perfect…Meh. I could want to be worse things,and it’s not like it’s ever going to happen,so :/
You don’t need to get down to 85 pounds to do that! That’s super extreme. You’re going to seriously risk your health and will potentially end up starving yourself because a healthy diet probably won’t get you there. Ana Carolina Reston was 88 and 5’6″ (yeah, it says 5’8″ but she admits herself she was two inches shorter) when she died.
Also, I’ve heard of women who started out losing a few pounds and it later became an obsession since they loved the way they looked and couldn’t return to their old weight. I would really advise not going so low. If you’re really set on losing, don’t try to drop below 100! I’d say aim for 106-110 (my old weight at 5’6″ which was already really skinny, probably skinnier than a lot of the fuller high fashion models such as Jac, Frida, Karlie). You don’t need to go so low to try out the “skinny” look you like, and I wouldn’t even advise dropping weight if you’re healthy to start with.
Hence why I said it’s never going to happen haha Even if I totally starved myself I doubt I could get down to even 110,I’m just not built that way. I’d be afraid of ending up with brittle bones and no muscle mass and all that too. Not attractive. I wouldn’t like it long term,and it wouldn’t be healthy. I might like it for like,a day,and that’d be about it.
I’d prob rather be super fit and toned. And healthy,that too. But yeah,I like food way too much,and the idea of being healthy,than any ”look”. I’m okay with how I am,for the most part. 85lbs kinda thing is just a fantasy,and while it may look cool in an ad or somethin’,I doubt it’d be the same in real life.
Oh gosh I love this cover. It’s sooo simply and classy. And I think the red write “BELLE VERE”, that is “REAL BEAUTY” makes this so deep. By the way, come on girls… All of you start to complain… Well… Everytime a plus-size model does a photoshoot. They did it good, this time.
Imagine, if “Real Beauty” was written under a picture of size 2-4/6 models. It would cause an uproar, but because they are bigger I guess it’s okay.
I did not know what that translated as, but I am annoyed that any ONE look is portrayed as “real”. All beauty is real. Regardless of size.
But yeah, probably no one commented on it because it’s in Italian not English.
Sorry, I meant to say “Real Beauties” ^^
They don’t look “plus size” to me at all. They are just plain beautiful.
They have pretty faces, but I think they are a little overweight, but at least they have the height to pull it off better than someone who was say 5’3-5’5. Secondly, if Vogue Italy is going to feature plus sized models, why are their body parts strategically hidden? The one girl sitting at the table, you can only see her arms and face basically, the girl standing up, her body is positioned in such a way where basically her hips, belly, and legs are hidden, and the girl sitting down, the only thing you see is her crotch and some of her chest.I also think that if they were that size and not as facially pretty they wouldn’t have been featured in this magazine.
Secondly, I don’t think these models represent everyday women in the least. How many women who are that size have thin faces and are that tall? It’s just under misrepresentation if you ask me…..
How many models represent the everyday womon?
The difference is these women are being heralded as what “real’ women, look like (size wise), regular sized models don’t claim to represent anyone. I’m just pointing out that most women that size do not look like these girls, facially or otherwise.
They do claim to be real women. That is how the media is marketing them. I’m pretty sure they realize that the average woman who is several inches shorter than them look nothing like them
*don’t
Wow, I’m actually agreeing with you here Anastasia
one in the middle. very sophia loren
While they are much bigger than regular high fashion models, they are still very tall. So I don’t see how the average 5ft 4 plus sized woman can relate to them either.
They never have models who are shorter, it’s always about skinny or plus sized tall women.
These are the kind of pictures I’d be happy to catch my husband looking at.
The woman with her legs open looks a bit filthy. Thigh-highs with legs open reminds me of a hooker from the country and western period.
I don’t understand why some of the commentators here can’t just leave well enough alone, and let the “plus” models have their day in the sun? Skinny models get 90% of the magazine space. These women are beautiful. Let them have this, and quit complaining.
My opinion is that they are beautiful!!!!
Are you saying that skinny models aren’t beautiful? Beauty comes in all shapes and sizes and ethnicities.
I do appreciate that there is some variety, though.
Real women don’t necessarily have curves, but these women have real curves. Breast, 100% flesh. No implants here.
Check out the full article on the Vogue Italia web site. Whoa.
They look hot. Honestly we should just appreciate that they are beautiful, not stick thin and on the cover of a magazine. Seems so impossible nowdays.
Yeah, because encouraging a different type of eating disorder is so much better. Thanks,.
Are you suggesting that just because they fall into the plus sized category they’re binge eaters or something…? Jeeeeeeesh how very narrow-minded of you…I know a lot of people who would be size 12 or 14 if they just ate as they pleased (not binge eating, but eating 3-4 meals a day) and didn’t restrict calories like crazy…
You think a woman that tall that is a size 12 has an eating disorder? That is crazy. I’m tall and when I get to a certain weight it is like trying to hold a beach ball underwater. My body is happy and healthy around a size 8/10.You know what is sick? I used to wish I could “catch” anorexia so I could be little and petite-THAT is an eating disorder. Not a very tall and gorgeous woman that eats normally. I look much like the middle model, but have castigated myself my whole life for not being super skinny. What a waste. I could never look in a magazine and see someone like myself. It bugs the hell out of me that a tall woman who is a size 10 is plus sized.
Wow they are beautiful! And exquisitely feminine, but I don’t know if it’s their bodies that make them so–in my opinion, it’s a combination of the sexy lingerie, plus their sexy hair, full lips, and “come hither” eyes. I think a very thin woman in a similar style would be equally as feminine.
I love the photo, but it kinda of looks a little silly with women in the underwear at what appears to be a cafe or resturant (sp).
Yeah, I totes hangout in restaurants in my underwear. Don’t you??!
Because fashion is never ludicrous…lol
Hm not liking it so much. In my honest opinion, I would find them all prettier if they were thinner/more toned.
I went swim suit shopping today, and when I started getting down on myself I thought about these women. I’m a tall woman, size 12, and I have pretty good proportions. It made me feel a little more confidant.
Mission accomplished, Vogue Italia.
Bruce Reviello @ bruce44 Facebook.com Swim suit “God Bless”
WOW………. Candice Huffine……….. So.Stunning!
Honestly Tara Lynn looks quite chubby to me, but the other two are very Jane Russell/Rita Hayworth style. In the fact that they have soft, feminine bodies and don’t look overweight. But Tara has always looked large imo
I know that some might disagree with me but I have to say that I do not like this cover or spread. To me haute couture is not about the ‘average woman’ or ‘real’ beauty. It’s about the extreme. It’s like a fantasy: extraordinary fashion and women. It might be unattainable, but that is part of why it’s so good. Unfortunately, to me extraordinary beauty includes a slender physique so therefore I cannot help but think that the depicted women should not be on the cover of Vogue.
Does anyone else see the irony in the fact they are posed at a table full of food? I’ve never seen that on the cover of Italian Vogue before…
The photos are beautiful!
They all look beautiful. I’m slightly put off by the spread legs though :/
I just don’t get this site. So on the Megan Fox blurb, someone comments saying she has a 30 inch waist (perfectly acceptable for the right height/build) and she gets called “mannish”. Women who, just bey looking at them, really probably could gain a little weight (Whitney Port, Angelina Jolie) or actually, NEED to gain weight just looking at them because their BMI is definitely too low, get touted as beauties. Jessica Simpson, a beautiful, borderline plus size (or plus size by runway standards) gets told she has a “beer belly” Now we have some gorgeous plus sized models. (Yes, the shoot is vaguely erotic but that’s just to prove that plus sizers can be sexy too. Look at Victoria’s Secret. Skinny girls get sexualized far more than this there everyday. And what’s art without a touch of the erotic? It’s a human desire) But anyway. Here are some gorgeous plus size models who, as a they deserve, are considered gorgeous by most of the commentators her (that I have read). So what’s the deal? You guys (or at least some of you) have amnesia or something? Some of you go on and on about how MICSHA BARTON and EMMA WATSON have “extra pounds” (which they do not). But when it’s PC, you guys change your mind.
Theses models are beautfiul, and definitely my type (though not everyone’s) Please give the respect you give to them to all the women on this site.
i have tears in my eyes from seing this cover.
I am a size 14-16, and i have never been more proud.
i hope i just looked a quarter as good as them..
i have trouble with my self-asteem because so many people put down people of certain size. But, in my opinion, it’s all about proportion, not weight or clothes size. If you haveaflatchest and big belly but you’re a size 4, you dont look as good as an hourglass shaped size 12. Or am i the onlyone that tinks that because i hope that it’s true and applies to me too?
I love these women. Crystal Renn is also a favortie of mine.
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These comments are amazing to read. Especially for me as I am always focusing on how media create this fake perspective of what they call the ‘perfect’ image.
These super size zero models put pressure onto young girls today to achieve a look that is not naturally possible to gain. Unless starving yourself to do so. And once you hit that size you are then frowned apon…
Plus sized models are very sexy and I love my girls on the plus size, more curves, bigger assets, more womanly. Just pure sexy!
At this moment in time I am putting together two research surveys for my third year final university project. One research survey is for men focusing on what your ‘perfect’ ideal woman is. So please MEN only take part in this survey and pass it onto your male mates. http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/JR9VYDB
Women, I know you are constantly worrying about how you look or should look in order to feel that social acceptance. But society and media is bull***t and shouldn’t force this pressure onto you, if anything they should make you feel happy in yourself for who you are and not what you look like. Yet again I have a survey which I would love for you to take part in.
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ZGTTGMT
And once done please pass onto your female mates.
Cheers guys I’m looking forward to producing this research into a big final year uni campaign!
I love the fact that Vogue is taking a stand against Anorexia. These models are BEAUTIFUL. Voluptuous bodies and amazing faces BUT I have to agree with some of the others saying the legs-open-crotch-showing pose is a bit tacky.
I think we should be more careful about what we understand when we read these comments and I agree with @charlie when he says that what is being discussed here in this particular forum is the “outer” beauty that would get you on the cover of a magazine like Vogue.
If you want substance and high moral fiber, you should browse the cover of Time Magazine, not a high fashion one.
[...] seen plus-size beauty Tara Lynn many times before – in Italian Vogue, in swimsuits for H&M or in shape-wear for [...]