Glamour's Naked 'Plus-Sized' Models
Filed under: News
Plus-sized beauties go au naturel for Glamour's November issue. Photo: Matthias Vriens-McGrath for Glamour
In the article accompanying the photograph (and yes, all the models actually ate the catered food at the shoot!), Glamour writer Genevieve Field discusses the fashion industry's obsession with weight, explaining that any model over a size 6 is often considered plus-size because she's too big for the designer samples that typically run from a size 0-4.
Field also talks about the stigma associated with high-end designers producing garments over size 12, giving kudos to Michael by Michael Kors, Baby Phat and Isaac Mizrahi for Liz Clairborne -- all brands that embrace size 14 and above.
We heart Scarlett Johansson, Glamour's November cover girl. Photo courtesy of Glamour.
It seems even the stunning Scarlett Johansson, who appears on Glamour's November cover, has been slightly upstaged by the bevy of beauties wearing even less than the sans pants actress/singer. And that takes a lot! Pick up the November issue to get your Johansson fix.
Glamour's readers were torn between this new agenda to see more women like themselves in magazines versus the more idealized skinny versions. Where do you stand?
Weigh in, no pun intended, with a comment below.
Plus, read about Glamour model Crystal Renn's struggle with an eating disorder before becoming a plus-size model in our StyleList exclusive.
Diane Goldman 10-02-2009 @ 8:08AM
As a "real" plus sized woman, I cannot honesly see how these models are considered plus size. I think, from what I can see, that they look normal sized, not emaciated like most models do.
Reply
Earl 10-02-2009 @ 8:42AM
I totally agree. Most of the models these days are way too skinny to be attractive. These models are normal.
Marianne 10-02-2009 @ 2:23PM
I totally agree. As a real plus-size woman, I would not consider any of these women plus size. If I was in the shape they are in this photograph, I would be offended to be called plus size.
Lauren 10-02-2009 @ 2:26PM
I would love to know when they'll start showcasing all the sizes in between. You either have to be a 2 or a 14 to model... what about the average woman who's a 6? What about her?
Lisa S 10-02-2009 @ 2:34PM
Oh lordy now a size 8 is plus size? well I guess if you wore a loose size 1 haha But at least they aren't tiny! I get sick looking at the stick thin models anywhere near nude ugg ribs lol
AHOL AHOL AHOL 10-02-2009 @ 2:35PM
i think they look yummy those skinny models are way to boney.
Jennifer 10-02-2009 @ 2:41PM
I agree. Some of these women look slimmer than I am, and I certainly don't wear "plus" sizes (which you'd think would be a prerequisite for being a plus-size model!). As someone else commented, calling these models plus-sized is rather offensive. If they are, what am I?
Jim 10-02-2009 @ 2:45PM
I think that is the problem, we have been feed this idea that skinny is normal size. A size 12,14 and 16 is where it is at for me.
Ira 10-02-2009 @ 2:54PM
I agree. I doubt these women are plus size. They might be tall size but not plus. I don't understand the attraction to thin women. To me, thin women look more like young boys than women. I find plus sized women more attractive and more feminine. I think a lot of other guys would agree if they were honest.
Geoffrey 10-02-2009 @ 2:47PM
I must say I am all for the NOT SO SKINNY MODEL! But one thing we MUST keep in mind is health. While more and more AMERICAN'S are becoming OBESE, the modeling industry should be CAREFUL how far to push the showing of plus sized models. Our health is the major concern. I applaud Glamour for doing this photo shoot and the girls look WONDERFUL. But let's not get carried away by allowing people to think being LARGE is a healthy attribute. It leads to heart disease, diabetes and a number of other debiliating diseases. Considering the health care system in America, being FIT and HEALTHY is the BEST thing.
AD 10-02-2009 @ 2:47PM
As an African American male....we certainly are attracted to plus size women. They are absolutely more attractive than someone who is, as skinny as a rail. Any woman with the right height and weight and not over size 14, is not considered plus size....it's called PHAT...as in fine. Any man has to love and appreciate that.
Bobby 10-02-2009 @ 3:01PM
Theres a difference between plus size and obese. How can any of you tell how big these women are from a photo, especially when they are all roughly the same size? They obviously don't have a problem with the label since they are Glamour's Plus Size Models!
Theresa 10-02-2009 @ 2:58PM
You Are COMPLETELY Correct!
Joan 10-02-2009 @ 2:59PM
I agree that these are not PLUS size model - they are normal sized model.
It's just that for so long we been told skinny or anorexic is normal
Dorion 10-02-2009 @ 3:04PM
I completely and totally agree with you. I think that these women are maybe only slightly larger than what you would normally see in an add full of skinny girls. Now if you were to put someone like myself in an add, it could be called plus size. I can wear anything from an 18 to a 22. That is plus size. I would like to see more women in that category modeling. Heck, if I knew how to model I would do it myself and show America how it's done!
Christina 10-02-2009 @ 3:04PM
What considers them to be plus size because when they bend they have a roll or two ...not....its good not to see size zero but why dont they try some real plus sizes like size 18 and above... I have done alot of plus size modeling and none of the women were that small..
marcus 10-02-2009 @ 3:11PM
ladies ladies please you need to understand these are plus size "models" meaning they are nothing more than normal size women. Models feign to be the skinniest so a model at size 12 is a plus size model in their eyes. These so called Plus size modesl may not be plus sized to you but from where theyre coming from and how what theyre doing is looked at, theyre plus sizes ladie. now dont get me wrong im not saying if youre not a plus size model or a normal sized lady your ugly because let me tell you there are women at a 14 or 20 thats facial beauty and body posture are gorgeous compared to some twig of a girl that say o i can fit in 4.
Tanya Cooper 10-02-2009 @ 3:17PM
It's true they are normal size I am plus sized and I love myself,
but then that would be true whatever size I was---which is what I think is the problem. Too many people need validation from others to exist in their own skin. I'm trying to get into this comment from------lpsnpl 10-02-2009 @ 9:24AM---about being " lucky enough to never have been overweight in my life" what is that? what does that mean? Because I don''t look like you I'm "unlucky" "unheathy" and what? Not worth the conversation? I probably care more about my health than a lot of people. I also gained weight with a baby I never lost, but the difference is I'm okay with my body. You go ahead and take the diet pills made made from you don't know what because you can't love what's in the mirror, but don't push that sadazz idea off on the rest of us. Anyway it's like AllAmericangirl said hollywood believes anything over a size 5 is plus sized, so if you aren't below that even if you are taking pills welcome to the plus-sized club.!!!
Glorious 10-02-2009 @ 3:15PM
These women are not obese but they are overweight.
Overweight naked women draped all over other overweight naked women. I think this is disgusting. Why are these fat women letting themselves to photographed like this? Yuck!
Renee 10-02-2009 @ 3:24PM
I have to agree these don't look like plus size modles to me.