The French edition of Elle magazine has caused uproar in France- and just about everywhere else- by featuring a size 56 (US size 18) model, Tara Lynn, on its cover. For a country famed for its emphasis on cutting a svelte figure, this has been deemed a controversial move (though the magazine has admitted to digitally retouching the images- is that not missing the point of dedicating an issue to 'real women'?). It's been headline-grabbing stuff over here in the UK, following on from the furore caused by Mark Fast's decision to use curvier models in his catwalk show for London Fashion Week last year. It seems that while we're tiring of emaciated teenage models parading around in designer gear, we're not sure what to make of larger ladies doing the same either.
So, what do you think? Is there a place for plus-size women in the fashion industry? Is it progress, or is it a publicity stunt to attract more readers- and morever, do these readers want to see it? How would you react if US Elle did the same? And how would you feel if a magazine like Chaos used models the wrong side of a size four?
Here's what The Times has to say
Kay Weston
