Plus size models take to the runway for Paris Fashion Week

Plus size models seemed to steal the show on the Parisian runway at this year’s spring/summer 2011 show. As we know Paris Fashion week is renowned for being unpredictable and PFW seemed to make headlines again this year, not just because they celebrated plus size models but also because of the diverse line-up of models that were used throughout the show.

Don’t get me wrong though, there were still the waif like models apparent and it seems there always will be, but by seeing a few healthier looking women you are able to imagine more of what it would look like on a normal woman, rather than on a coat hanger. Seeing the average size 14 plus size models against the skinny ones proved just how thin they really were and some would say it’s nice for a change to see women that aren’t conventionally beautiful.

Paris catwalks were graced with the presence of The Gossip’s front woman Beth Ditto, who livened up the show by strutting down the catwalk revealing two different skimpy outfits, one of which was a tight fitted floral design and another created by Jean-Paul Gaultier.



This proved a far cry from the typical ‘plus size model’ which seems to be a size 14/16 and some would say Beth Ditto at a size 28 is just not healthy either. Many though were a healthy medium. Zac Posen had well known model Crystal Renn on his runway and at Balenciaga, designer Nicholas Ghesquiere sent five months-pregnant actress Miranda Kerr down the catwalk looking radiant as ever with her little baby bump. Zac Posen even announced backstage how he wanted to make clothes for women who love life and also love their food.


Miranda Kerr (photo sourced: http://www.blogcdn.com/www.stylelist.com/media/2010/09/miranda-kerr-on-runway-240bes093010.jpg

I very much doubt this means that the tall, slim and stereotypically beautiful need to start worrying but at Paris Fashion Week this season’s designers have shown particular interest in plus size models, but who knows? I guess we’ll have to wait till next season to see what’s changed.