I saw this on AOL today and thought it was very interesting.

I guess Gaultier realized there's a whole segment of women the fashion industry is ignoring. Is it altruism or is it greed? Frankyl, I don't really care as long as it gets people talking about what body shape and size means in the western world. I am a little miffed about the reporter's desired for a happy medium - in the form of a size 10. Hmmmm.

Here's a link to the article:

http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2004070003-2006460207,00.html

I hope no one minds, I posted this on www.Band2gether.net too.

I like that she is a 20, because it is such a dramtic contrast. Yet, I think it could also be interpreted as mockery or shock factor. And really, if we want more size acceptance, I would say it would be better the show a 14/16 woman...someone slighty more 'average'. I mean this in the sense that if we truly want to integrate NORMAL size models, it is best accomplished with an element of subtlety. "Velvet" is far from subtle. But she looks like she is having a blast! You never see those size 0 freaks crack a smile. Velvet is workin' it!

How do we get the general public to understand that we are not to be made fun of, to be discriminated against or to be taken for granted,

yet

still convey to our youth that they should not want to be like us and must get off their collective butts, exercise their bodies while also learning how to eat properly sized and nutritious meals?

Their lives depend on the second part of the paragraph and our happiness and sanity depend on the first part.

She looked beautful...the dress is awful!!!

I think the "shock value" of this is part of the statement. We have the extreme of really thin models, why not have the extreme of a plus size model? Cheers to Jean Paul!!!:clap2: :clap2:

i was a plus size model in florida when i was skinny. before i gained weight. i was a size 12. that was the plus size norm then. now i see real plus size models, much more realistic. im down to a size 12 again thanks to the lap band. i hate that the most models look like coke addicts. kate moss. what is up with that. that look is gross to me. curves are in.

Interesting article. I don't see why anyone would possibly mind you posting it on the other site, Donna.

Pelo, I agree with you, Velvet sure does look like she's workin' it!

I absolutely love Jean Paul Gaultier, my favorite designer. I'm just surprised at him showing a plus size woman in his show when he does not make plus size clothing. If he was really trying to make a point, why not just start a new plus size line? I have a feeling that there is more to this story and we're just outsiders that don't get it.

I also saw that show. I believe it was done partly for the shock value. She is very very beautiful. I have a hard time belieiving that people are truly happy at 300+. Denial, and thinking what were suppose to believe about ourselves can make us all claim how happy we are. Everything in moderation. How about more fashion shows with very slim, average and plus size women all walking down the same runway. How's that for acceptance, and the portrayal of everyone being equal and beautiful.

I saw this on Yahoo! today and I thought I would post it here for a little contrast.

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&ncid=1778&e=2&u=/061007/ids_photos_en/r1556750300.jpg

How could anyone think this model looks good? I just don't understand.

I now know why most runway models have that serious look on their face. They are too weak to smile. It's from lack of food.

I am surprised that the UN does not send sacks of grain to these starving refugees.

http://news.yahoo.com/photos/ss/events/en/080601fashion/im:/061007/481/aa0efca57a6d467ba96638bdc99bb32c;_ylt=Am_TVvhcUs6g7DhvQ2JkW25.KcMA;_ylu=X3oDMTA5bGcyMWMzBHNlYwNzc25hdg--

I've heard that models are refered to as "hangers." the previous link and that link kinda prove it...

But I think this link show you what designers really think about women...

http://news.yahoo.com/photos/ss/events/en/080601fashion/im:/061006/photos_us_rank_afp/9a63c29473d56eab101f6360b83fef87;_ylt=Aun2qt1R0RKoqiHu6ueBk3DlWMcF;_ylu=X3oDMTA5bGcyMWMzBHNlYwNzc25hdg--?sp=-1&lsp=3000

I now know why most runway models have that serious look on their face. They are too weak to smile. It's from lack of food.

That reminds me of my fave line in the movie "Devil Wears Prada":

It goes something like this (paraphrased):

"I'm on a new diet... I don't eat until I feel faint...then I eat a cube of cheese" (my husband and I howled at that one).

The other one I liked: "I'm only one more stomach flu away from my goal weight".

Oh yeah...and Tired Old Man: I think they did send bags of grain....that white "dress" the model is wearing in that photo....I think that was actually made from her bag of grain!!!! Yech! (the dress, and the model).

Ugh, the girl in the first photo looks ill. I wouldn't want her in my show. I bet noone even noticed the dress because they were all looking at her ribs! Girl needs to eat!

There was a buzz a few weeks ago, about the fashion industry's movement away from "rail thin" models. I didn't look at all your links so forgive me if this is a duplicate, but Spain actually banned super thin models, claiming the prefer to project images of beauty and health, not not heroin-chic.

http://www.theage.com.au/news/fashion/spain-bans-skinny-models/2006/09/13/1157826985132.html

The amount of weight that I hope to eventually have lost with my Lap-Band will be more than the body weight this of poor creature. I truly feel sorry for what our merchandising economy has wrought on our women and it starts with brainwashing the young helpless and most vulnerable girls.