You know how we keep saying fashion designers need to start making larger sample sizes before we start to see any tremendous changes in the industry? Well, there’s a woman petitioning for that now, so happy weekend.
RunwayRiot found this Change.org petition to the CFDA demanding that designers supply larger sizes at NYFW. Though the petition uses some uncool body shaming language such as “skeleton” and “beautiful zombies” to describe slim models, we’re totally here for the driving force behind this petition. That is, the fact that the industry needs to do better than its current slim sample size offering. Get a load of it here:
The disgusting culture of emaciation that surrounds the fashion world is not unavoidable. It is not simply “how things are.” It exists because of the choices you make. You can choose to make clothing that fits more than a skeleton. You can choose to empower and be inspired by those around you rather than surrounding yourself with beautiful zombies.
To further make her case, the woman behind the petition, who claims she worked as a model, included a list of disturbing things she’s heard from models and others working in fashion. Here’s just a few to make you grind your teeth.
“I quit. I’m not modelling anymore because I like working out and they keep telling me I’m ‘too athletic’”-A Model
“Do you know anyone who would prescribe me adderal? I just can’t live on coffee and cigarettes like I did when I was 16. I just need a way to keep my eyes open during the day” -A Model
“Well, you are too fat, I mean, you’re beautiful, but if you really wanted to be a top model, you’d have to lose at least 30 pounds, that’s how they like them, skin and bones. Then they photoshop the bones out in post.”
Though the petition is asking for designers to make sample sizes only up to a size 4, we know that pushing that number even higher to cater to the majority of women would appeal to more than just the 210 supporters the petition currently has. But it’s a start, so let’s all drink to that.
Related links:
Designers Are to Blame For Size Standards in the Modeling Industry Too
Filmmaker Jess Lewis on the Models Making Landmark Changes in the Fashion Industry
