Heathy Curves Back On The Runway

The decrease of "beanpoles" on the latest runway shows was noticeable. New York and London Fashion Weeks have featured more normal-sized women catwalking this year.


Though IMG vice-president Fern Mallis did not attend the CFDA's panel discussion on fashion industry and body image the day before New York Fashion Week, she was glad to notice healthier models on the runway.

"I was here at the Tents, but I haven't seen so many scary-looking girls this time," she commented during the Naeem Khan show.

"I was just at a show sitting with the husband of a designer who said a girl came in for a fitting and her legs looked like poles, and they said, 'No.' It was great at Calvin's show to see some of the old girls back, like Stella Tennant and Kristen McMenamy, and Michael Kors had Frankie Rayder. They're gorgeous girls. They weren't beanpoles, they're still gorgeous."

The same trend was also noticeable at the London Fashion Week. Even Kate Moss walked the Fashion for Relief runway with more body fats. Supermodel Naomi Campbell also welcomed the arrival of many normal-sized women on the catwalks, as well as the plus-size models. She was quoted as saying:

"I think the bigger the better. I don't comment on size, I think if someone is beautiful then they should do what they want to do."

Fashion designer Borun Aksu also noted after his show that larger, healthier models appear to have made a breakthrough on the catwalks:

"Over the last couple of seasons they have become more noticeable. You also notice that these are girls who look healthy and happy."

Mark Fast's runway show has featured four plus-size models led by Crystal Renn, size-16 and one of the most famous plus-size models today.

Meanwhile, giant high street retail store Debenhams has started replacing some of its size ten mannequins with plus size models more suited to the average British woman's size 14-16.

"The average British woman is a size 14 to 16 and it's important that the woman on the street is able to walk into a shop and feel comfortable with the choice available," said Sarah Travers who runs Europe's largest plus-size modeling agency.

Debenhams' Live Lingerie Models For Men's Holiday Shopping

Following the steps of XOXO's NYC shopping windows where models can be seen changing clothes, a London department store also hired models to help men pick out items for their ladies this holiday.


Debenhams Oxford Street branch in London used live lingerie models to help men pick out lingerie. The models were of various shapes — apple, pear, and hourglass-shaped bodies in sizes 8, 12 and 16. They walked around in lingerie inside the department store for a day while men chose the women with curves resembling most closely to their ladies.

"The idea was a huge success, with our male shoppers commenting on what a great idea the event was at this time of year," said spokeswoman Ruth Attridge for Debenhams lingerie department.

Using live department store models to help men buy the right-sized lingerie came from a research conducted by Debenhams, which showed that almost two-thirds of men do not know their partners' bra or knicker size.

The unique solution had male shoppers walking away with the perfect fit from 30 brands and 70 bra sizes on show.