Plus Size Models For V Magazine's January Issue

"Big, little, pint-size, plus-size — every body is beautiful."

V Magazine is reportedly featuring an all-plus size models in its upcoming January issue. Because the decision has come after the hit of the blackface issue in November, some call it the new publicity horse.


The issue will feature Crystal Renn and other plus size models, to be shot clothed and nude by photographers Terry Richardson, Bruce Weber, and Karl Lagerfeld.

Karl Lagerfeld? He is the one who expressed his disagreement of plus size models in October, saying "No one wants to see curvy women. You've got fat mothers with their bags of chips sitting in front of the television and saying that thin models are ugly."

Well, seeing curvy women through the lens of the camera is probably his New Year's resolution.

The decision to devote the January 2010 issue of V Magazine to plus size models is a so-called "proof" that curvy women are "also" beautiful. "Big, little, pint-size, plus-size — every body is beautiful. And this issue is out to prove it," says V editor Stephen Gan.

V Magazine is following the steps of Vogue Italia when it incorporated in its publication an issue devoted to Black models. The effect has been phenomenal. It has effectively made a statement that seems to call on giving nonwhite models a fair shot at the modeling industry. But after the sensational release of the "Black" magazine, nothing more is heard of it and no black or nonwhite models have been regularly featured in its publications.

Critics forecast the same for V Magazine. It would devote an issue to plus size models that seemingly calls out to the fashion industry to give curvy women a fair chance at runway shows, ad campaigns, and editorials. But after that, there would be no new idea incorporated into its editorial concepts.

Unlike Glamour Magazine which promises to regularly feature plus size models in its future issues, V Magazine's "plus size models only" issue is just like a trend, a "big" splash with an anticipated patronizing effect using curvy models that it once have shunned.

Vogue Italia's Black Barbie Issue

To celebrate the success of Vogue Italia's "Black Issue" last year, editor-in-chief Franca Sozzani has come up with a new issue featuring black Barbie dolls and calls it the "most iconic edition."


"Barbie has been an icon for whole generations which is why I really wanted to give a strong sign in step with the times, and dedicate the anniversary issue to Black Barbie," says Sozzani.

The magazine recalls how the first black doll was introduced as a friend of Barbie called Francie in 1967. To celebrate Barbie's 50th anniversary, this autumn will feature black Barbies through the launching of the So In Style dolls designed with "more authentic-looking black features" - facial sculpt with fuller lips, wider nose, distinctive cheek bones, and curlier hair.

The black Barbies are believed to reflect today's recognition of black models. Senior Vice President Richard Dickson says "Barbie has been a mirror of the times for 50 years and continues to reflect the trends and interests of the day."


But while Vogue Italia has been praised for it's so-called recognition of the presence and importance of black people in the fashion industry, some question why the magazine just have to publish a yearly "Black Issue" for the black models and not include them in its EVERY issue.

As for the black Barbies, it's a good reminder that beauty lies in diversity. Little girls will not be made to believe that they have to be white, blond, and blue-eyed to be beautiful. The black Barbies will discourage racism and encourage healthy body images. However, Vogue is still criticized for featuring so much lingerie and fetish-wear on black Barbies - going back again to that issue of black women as mere exotic creatures, often overly sexualized in the media.

Still, Vogue Italia has to be complimented for its pioneering efforts to feature diversity in fashion magazines through the black supermodels and the black Barbies. There may be questions that are not yet resolved but the intention is basically good. As for the criticisms, hopefully the fashion industry will work towards that aspired diversity, one step at a time.