Nicola Formichetti Explains 'That Was The Last Time I Tried To Work With Fat People' Comment

Nicola Formichetti found himself in a tight spot on Tuesday when a W profile on the designer hit the web. Now he has responded with a Facebook campaign.

Within the otherwise flattering article in W's July issue appeared this damning paragraph:

One shoot, which involved dressing a rock band, was particularly unfortunate. "I was only used to dressing models and skinny kids," he recalled. "And I turned up and it was, like, three fat guys. I just left. That was the last time I tried to work with fat people. I think one of them was Ali G's brother. It was so ghetto."

The comment immediately made the rounds, putting Formichetti on the wrong side of the plus-size models conversation that has been ongoing in the fashion industry.

What made the anti-fat remark particular strange was that it came from Formichetti, who as creative director for both Dazed & Confused and Lady Gaga has always promoted individuality and boundary-pushing fashion.

So we suppose it makes sense that later Tuesday night, Formichetti took to Facebook to declare that W misquoted him and that he does in fact work with plus-size models.

Crossposted to his Twitter feed (and his 81,258 followers), the designer put up images of his past editorial work with plus-size models, captioning the images, "i know i should just leave it but...i really hate when writers just write whatever they want... "i dont work with fat people..." why would someone say such a thing?!"

He added, "GOD MAKES NO MISTAKES -AMEN FASHION... dont believe all what you read on line... no matter if you are fat, skinny or whatever, we're all born this way."

Although it's hard to believe W would completely twist his words, Formichetti certainly has a positive track record when it comes to body image and working with people of all sizes. We're definitely inclined to give this guy another shot.

See Formichetti's Facebook comments below.

Comments

[Trudy Ring]

06:05 PM on 07/13/2011

The woman in the bathing suit is not fat. She is NORMAL. Only by the twisted standards of the fashion and entertainment industries could she be considered "fat." I'm a larger-than-average woman who is a consumer of fashion and entertainment, but I have no intention of buying into those industries' standards.

[ayisha]

12:27 AM on 07/13/2011

i am incredibly sick of people who themselves look like walking freak shows trying to pass judgement on the rest of humanity.

[yvettesuniverse]

11:49 PM on 07/12/2011

he probably made those comments... just because he displayed photo's of 3 people who he worked with who are bigger than the aveage model doesn't mean the comment wasn't said. it said "the last time".... & probably since he works with gaga he got arrogant, said it & it has backfired. now he is displaying his old work to compensate for the negative comments.

[LMPE]

03:25 PM on 07/08/2011

Even so, there are some stout people with whom a fashion designer would never want to work (see: Dick Cheney).

[socalrunner]

03:28 PM on 07/07/2011

Stop using the word "fat". The word is offensive and derogatory. It amazes me the incredible amount of attention and non-stop compliments I receive now that I've lost over 50 lbs. This is still the same beautiful face I was born with; the same beautiful hair I was born with; the same beautiful body--only smaller than it was a couple of years ago. Men are so shallow. Now that I weigh less they are lined up around the block. Well kiss my skinny a**.

[TheMysteriousStranger]

05:30 PM on 07/08/2011

When used as a descriptor, it's not offensive to me. What's offensive to me is when someone uses it to try and insult me, as if my adipose tissue is somehow a bad thing.

[Lucky S7even]

11:38 PM on 07/08/2011

how does finding certain people attractive make men shallow? some people are attracted to thinner people and others are attracted to thicker. preference doesn't make someone shallow. im sure you have preferences of your own. such blanket statements don't help you make your point.

[Tomass De]

11:08 AM on 07/07/2011

the guy is a italian idiot..got lucky to work in the fashion industry for other talent not really for fashion...dressing skinny people make no difference dressing fat peoples ..if you know your job..but I guess the incapable always had the opportunity..the capable people instead has to stay on line..anyway..the guy is a idiot so no surprise about..

[Cakey4814]

09:58 AM on 07/07/2011

What the heck does "that was so ghetto" mean?

[copelli21]

10:36 AM on 07/07/2011

That's the danger when "slang" is co-opted by the mainstream.....it loses all meaning.

[Tomass De]

11:13 AM on 07/07/2011

ghetto in italian means the place in a city let say rome ,since he is the most famous in italy where jews was confide ( every city in europe almost have a ghetto because where the jew people used be concentrated during the nazi..was called ghetto because the jews were not same as the others so from that time when in italy we say ghetto is not really to describe something good..not sure why the idiot used in this particular case..but he is a idiot trust me..so dont either bother to listen what he said..

[feelurban]

07:14 AM on 07/07/2011

WOW Bathing suit model is beautiful... I know alot of heavier girls that are just as pretty. Sexy comes in all sizes but I bet alot of straight guys would choose this girl over some of the super skinny/boney types.

[Natoya Ebony]

10:49 PM on 07/06/2011

The lady in the grey bathing suit...is gorgeous!!!
http://www.natoyaebony.com/