The triumph of the 12s?

Last week I got a free copy of Elle Canada in the mail. I usually don't buy that magazine but the editorials were really pretty.

I came upon one that really caught my interest; the model was gorgeous but I knew something looked different. Her leg and thigh seemed to be bigger than usual but I thought it must have been the angle; as I flipped through the editorial I realized that I was looking at plus-sized model, Crystal Renn.

What was astounding to me was that the magazine didn't proclaim "Plus-sized model here!" in any of the headlines or captions, as is usually the case when fashion mags feature plus-sized models. It was integrated as a regular editorial without all the pompousness and the facade of being an equal opportunist.

Usually plus-sized models are only featured in major fashion magazines as part of a yearly "shape" issue or as a publicity stunt to show that they "care" about women who aren't stick-thin.

It made me realize that editorials with plus-sized models could work seamlessly side-by-side editorials of thin models. But is this success a triumph for us non-models who are size 12 and up?

I thought about my reaction to the photos; I realized that although Crystal Renn is larger than a typical model, she still has a "perfect" body (hour-glass shape, flat stomach, symmetrical, perfect proportions and luminous skin) whereas many women who are size 12 and up aren't so lucky.

But that's why Crystal Renn is a model, and us mortals are not. Even though she is plus-sized, women still envy her because she is beautiful and has an enviable figure. I didn't feel better about myself looking at Crystal Renn's gorgeous body. I don't see how having a plus-size model is better for the self-esteem of women. But then, women's fashion magazines aren't around to help with self-esteem or body issues; they are there to present beautiful clothes on beautiful women.

I believe that plus-sized models should be featured more in fashion magazines not to make women feel better but to show more variety; frankly, I love looking at a plus-sized model's body. They fill out the clothes so well! And there would be more models to choose from rather than the same ones (Kloss, Zimmerman, Sasha, Trentini, etc.) It would be great to see some new faces and different body types to keep the magazines fresh.

The New York Times ran a profile on Renn the other day which trumpeted "The Triumph of the Size 12s." Renn is probably the most prolific plus-sized model in the business.

While I would call Renn's spread in Elle Canada a triumph, I wouldn't call it a triumph for size 12s everywhere. Regular women will always be envious of models no matter what their size.

Body business

In the fashion biz, it's pretty rare to hear models talk. They're models for a reason, right?

I am of the view that models should talk more; about what their jobs are like, whether they are being treated fairly, whether they have body issues; hell, just talk to us about the fabulous clothes you get to wear!

And while we do sometimes get snippets backstage during Fashion Week, and we sometimes get a few well-known models on a cover of a magazine talking about their fabulous lives, it's still a rare thing when a model speaks out on her own accord, and in all honesty, about her life as a model.

Last year, Model.Live followed three wannabe models trying to make it during Fashion Week. It was a very honest look at the struggle of newbie models. A few weeks ago, Jezebel's resident brainiac model "Tatiana" revealed herself to be Jenna Sauers;

who eloquently wrote about the unglamorous life of modeling. Last year, model Ali Michael spoke out on national TV after she was sent home from Paris for aing "fat legs" even though she hovered around 105 pounds.

And now model Crystal Renn has penned a memoir called "Hungry," detailing her journey as a thin model, who had heart palpatations she was so skinny, to being a successful plus-sized model.

Renn says that when she was first scouted, at the age of 14, she was told to lose 55 pounds. She lost the weight but when her agent told her to lose more, she realized she couldn't diet anymore. That's when it was suggested she become a plus-sized model and it was when she became a healthy size 12 that her career took off.

She says:

"I got to my lowest point, when I couldn't go lower, and it was either, 'I'm going to die and not accomplish the dream,' or, 'I can become a plus-size model and keep the dream,"' she said in an interview. "I am healthy now, the healthiest I've ever been in my life - both physically and mentally."

I'm not going to wax on about how fuller figured models are practically ignored by the fashion industry; that's for another post when I can think of something new to add to that discussion; but I'm just impressed that Renn, who is still in the middle of an incredible career, is brave enough to call out the industry on his thin obsession. More models should take a cue from her.