Garance Dore Sets The Record Straight On Plus-Size Model Comments

Style blogger Garance Doré inadvertently caused a mini-controversy online this week after she was quoted as telling SkyNews:

• "I think it's too much and almost naive of the fashion industry, because it would be nice in a few years that the idea of different body shapes is normal, but right now it's not quite there yet."
• "It should not be such a big deal to show women with different bodies, but sometimes it's treated like a bit of joke, or for shock, like the plus-size models on the runway in the UK fashion week."
• "It's not such a good thing to show plus-size because it's not really physically healthy and not always flattering to fashion."

But we contacted Doré to have her set the record straight. Here's what she told us:

I never said that plus-size models are unhealthy. That would be totally stupid of me. To me, they represent the diversity of women's bodies, and what I said is that I will be happy to see them on a runway on a regular basis, just mixed [in with regular models] and not [walking] all together at the same time.

But I also think that if things like V Mag or the Mark Fast show contribute to making people more tolerant and the fashion industry more open to that, then it's just great and a good sign for the future.

I, myself, am not a model at all, and I have always said that I like my curves.

Anything else?

"Oh yes!" Garance added. "I think Crystal Renn is absolutely gorgeous. I would love to photograph her."

Comments

[bentax645]

04:18 AM on 04/25/2010

For another perspective on Plus Size Models, have a look at this article called XX-ELLE

http://www.benjaminkanarekblog.com/kf6

[MercuryRising]

12:24 AM on 04/24/2010

How did an unemployed illustrator become so powerful as to ruffle the feathers of folks with her her dumb dribble on her blog and in interviews? Should people now stoop down to her ignorant level?

Please consider the source. I certainly don't take my fashion or health advice from uneducated people.

[jozzie]

03:55 PM on 04/22/2010

Nice to see HP giving Garance some visibility.

The fashion show in London using the over-sized models was a travesty. If you want to honor plus sized women, give them something that enhances them. Putting them in sausage casings is good for getting media attention for the designer (any attention is good attention) but †rashes the plus size cause.

[mmgbizgirl]

11:07 AM on 04/22/2010

She meant what she said the first time. She's a limited thinker.

[jozzie]

03:50 PM on 04/22/2010

You know her? How?

[mmgbizgirl]

04:56 PM on 04/26/2010

Don't worry about it.

[ChaiKat]

09:08 AM on 04/22/2010

First this: "It's not such a good thing to show plus-size because it's not really physically healthy and not always flattering to fashion."

And now this: "I never said that plus-size models are unhealthy. That would be totally stupid of me."

I guess you're stupid then.

[Hugh-Leighton]

08:53 AM on 04/22/2010

I would really like to see the word "beauty" removed from the lexicon of fashion! True beauty is not a function of what we can see, it is rather a function of the mind, the heart and the spirit within a person and is realised only in communication with others. What we can see is just packaging wether it be haute couture or dusty jeans. Don't get me wrong, I understand and agree that people want to dress for whatever occasion or event they are attending, just as they would wrap a birthday or Christmas present for someone they love and respect. In our society both are "the right thing to do".

Having said all of that, I do believe it is time the fashion industry showed us that they can indeed provide good looking clothing for any body shape. Isn't that what we are looking for, a nice look for any body shape? And how about dropping "plus-sized" as a description of anyone? It is insulting!

[goldfishYAYA]

04:19 AM on 04/22/2010

I love Garance. I don't understand why there are plus sized models and size -0 models, but nothing in between. Why not have some size 4's-10's?

[Felianthra]

11:47 AM on 04/23/2010

Most "plus-size" models ARE between sizes 4 & 10. Many are between 4-6. Crazy huh?

[Holly Slavic]

05:18 PM on 04/23/2010

haha I know. You are so right. IT is bizarre but true.

[cbat]

12:01 AM on 04/22/2010

Oh, do not try to clean up now girl, too late.

[MagicalPossibilities]

09:21 PM on 04/21/2010

Plus sized models are thinner than 80% of the female population in the US and UK.

[GrownupStewie]

06:48 PM on 04/21/2010

and think her and her boyfriend are the most pretentiously awful people ever....every picture he takes looks like something from a Marlboro ad, every person has a cig in their hand...and here she goes saying bigger woman are unhealthy....like those anorexic girls are healthy? you die alot faster starving yourself then being obese...

and mixed in with regular models? like plus sized models (meaning anything above a size 6, yeah im not kidding) cant be regular models?

im at least satisfied that she is a beard in her relationship..