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.

All-Star Fashion Show For Haiti

Naomi Campbell's organized fashion show for the benefit of Haiti earthquake victims did not disappoint. Aside from raising funds, Fashion for Relief also featured an all-star casts including supermodels, celebrities, and fashion designers.


Supermodels Helena Christensen, Daphne Guinness, Natasha Poly, Karen Elson, Angela Lindvall, Sasha Pivovarova, Heidi Mount, Selita Ebanks, and Alek Wek all came in to support the cause.

Duchess of York Sarah Ferguson also took a spin in a black gown with gold beading after doing an opening speech about charities.

Celebrities like Kelly Osbourne, Donna Karan, Diane von Furstenberg, Georgina Chapman, Alan Cumming, Maggie Rizer, and even the infamous Chris Brown also walked the runway wearing "To Haiti With Love" shirts.


British supermodel Agyness Deyn who rarely walks the runway anymore took a tumble twice in her Burberry's. But at least we learned a runway trick from her. Agyness Deyn's smile when she tumbled on the catwalk was very lovely so that it lessened the focus on her fall.

Fashion for Relief also made a tribute to Alexander McQueen. Daphne Guinness wore a veil and one-off silver jumpsuit created by the fashion designer while the other supermodels wore designs from Alexander McQueen Spring/Summer 2010 collection, including the impossibly high heels.

All 92 looks from the show will be sold on Net-a-Porter.com from March 15 that will support CARE's efforts in Haiti. The show's sponsor American Express said that 950 tickets ($100-$150 each) were sold out within three days.

Not-So-Thin Is In

Not-so-thin models are “in” in New York Fashion Week.

The days of anorexic models strutting down the runway might soon come to an end. In New York Fashion Week, a lot of not-so-thin models have been presented, seemingly telling the fashion world that the skinny era in modeling is over.

Although there were still few of the models with protruding collarbones and ribs, majority of the models looked healthy with more flesh. Accordingly, models were up to sizes 2 and 4 - not 0. Designers also rejected prepubescent 13-year olds. One of the model who was considered to be super-thin was noticeably absent.

Aside from curves, more smiles were also noticeable from the not so-thin models during the event. The fashion designers and beauty editors could not help but sighed,

"I think a lot of the direction from the designers has been a much healthier approach... We're obviously going through a season of a less cookie cutter look."