“I speak two languages, Body and English.”
These are the famous words of Mae West. The gal nailed it—the body speaks volumes, and its language is universal. A warm blush, a provocative lean, a seductive toss of the hair…these subtle gestures will trump even the most carefully selected words any day of the week.
Over the past few years, the world of fashion had been screaming one word relentlessly and without pause: THIN, THIN, THINNER!!! From every Vogue publication to the emerging fashion-art magazines in Europe, from the runways in Milan to the tents in New York, fashion’s new “it-girls” were alarmingly skinny.
Thank goodness! The times, they are a changin’. When I first arrived in New York three years ago, if you weren’t 5’10’’, 105 pounds, and a proud member of the Eastern Block, chances were you were out of work. I’ve recently signed with Elite models, and the girls at the castings these days are no longer hollow-eyed hangers. I am happy to report that the tide seems to be shifting. There has been a backlash against the once-popular heroin chic look, giving more diverse beauties an opportunity to shine.
And shining they are—from Crystal Renn to Jenny Shimizu. Renn is a perfect example f a girl whose career has skyrocketed as of late. Her recently published memoir, “Hungry,” chronicles Renn’s journey from her starving frame as a size 2 to her healthy figure at a size 12 (the average American woman is a size 14, by the way). Stephan Gan cites Crystal as the inspiration for the “size issue” V Magazine, which includes several portfolios featuring plus size models. One of the fashion stories stars Ms. Renn and Jacquelyn Jablonski (a size 2) wearing the same looks from Versace, Proenza Schouler, and Dolce & Gabbana.
So what’s the message here ladies? Don’t be afraid to flaunt it. Big hips? Rock a mini. Small chest? Wear something low-cut. Did a summer of indulgences go straight to your bum? Sport a bikini at the beach. Pourquoi pas? Style, beauty, and especially sex appeal are all in how you carry yourself—at any size. And trust a girl who has been through it…living off of a diet of sugar-free Jello and diet Coke ain’t livin’. Take a page out of Miss Renn’s book (literally!)—it wasn’t until she owned her body that the fashion crowd came running.
I’m quite certain that the She is French men will back me up here—nothing is sexier than confidence. Adieu age of conformity and bienvenue expression, inspiration, and celebration!
~ Lily La Tigresse
Great article. I became interested in shooting models in 95/96 and there was an evident transition from a full figured woman to very thin, i.e Claudia Schiffer Christie Turlington, to Twiggyesque/Kate Moss and following. One model I shot was so thin, though a wonderful facial features, you could see her bones in her legs and arms. It was heartbreaking to me, and the worst of it was her mother was with her.
I just love seeing the return of the the full figured, and now the plus sized women. It is so much more attractive and realistic.
Here in Québec the fashion industry is developing policy to diminish the gaunt, airbrushed body image in order to eradicate the disorders that it perpetuates.
Thanks for posting this. Gary, Montreal.
heya, I haven’t so much talked to you on the icq in a while, but I believed I might text you from my completely new Android !! No joke, I work for a brand new company currently in the development dept. Never tell any one but we identified this site that is fully glitching and mailing out no cost Android !! to anyone that signs up. I believe you would probably have to confirm your e mail, Best regards fett votzen