The Bite Magazine - Summer 2012 - Issue 5

comes before beauty and personality which is a problem. Beauty does not come in one size. As models, we sell clothes with our personality and with the way that we express ourselves and I feel that cannot be limited to a dress size.” Angelica has broken the mould and in many ways she has taken on the industry and won. Models that are plus-sized come into contact with boundaries due to designer’s regulations and, in many cases, a fuller figured model will not get taken seriously. Angelica grins, “Getting photographed for Vogue in Milan was a real career high. I was able to achieve something I had dreamed of on my own terms and to represent myself the way I am.” In spite of her success, Angelica knows that she is a rare exception to the rule. It will take a long time for attitudes in the industry to change and for people to accept plus-size models for what they are, models. “I think that the reality inside fashion and out with fashion is very different. Plus size out with fashion is quite a negative term and it is quite damaging to suggest that a size 12 is a plus size. However, within fashion I see it as a very positive term because we are representing a wider selection of women. We are double the size of a straight size 6 model. I hope in the future that we will just become models known for our ability to sell and advertise clothes rather than for our size.” Though this vision for the future is uplifting it is seemingly unachievable particularly when it comes to catwalk shows with most designers creating collections in a sample size only for skinny models. This is argued by many industry experts including Fiona Best, founder of Scotland’s leading professional catwalk agency and events management company ‘Catwalk Productions.’ “We never use models with fuller figures for designer catwalks because collections are made to fit straight-sized, tall models. Couture clothes do normally sit better on a tall slim frame. It would not be cost effective from a designer’s point of view to make a collection with samples for all sizes.” Catwalk Productions do, however, make use of plus size models but only for particular occasions. “For shows promoting high street brands we always try to use at least one plus-sized model. This is highly useful when selling to the mass market because the average dress size in Scotland is a size 14.” If other governments were to follow Israel, the attitude of the fashion industry would be forced to change. However, the question does arise whether this is actually a force for good or not? If straight-sized models were to become extinct, would women who naturally fit a size 8 crave curves in the same way that young women currently at a size 16 strive to be slim? Fiona Best emphasizes the importance of balance and the need for the industry to encourage young women to have healthy figures. “In my opinion there is nothing wrong with being slim as long as you are not underweight. It looks good. Being overweight can age you and maintaining a healthy figure can make you look younger. We do not accept very thin or overweight models into our catwalk shows.” Extremes help define the fashion industry; however, it seems that when it comes to the size of models a happy medium needs to be found. Angelica hopes that, whatever happens, fuller figured models will become part of the norm. “I hope that as people become accustomed to seeing plus-size models in the media the shock value will be lost along with the title and that we can become more accepted and acceptable.” When it comes to photos or adverts in magazines the most important message to stress to young women is that there is a significant difference between life within the fashion industry and reality. The editorial photographs and clothing featured in magazines come together to create an art form and, though open to interpretation, art should not define how a person should live. If anything these photos, be it of stick figures or feminine curves, should empower young women to celebrate their own bodies and recognise beauty whether it conforms to the artist’s ideal or not. Hughes Models: www.hughesmodels. co.uk/14+DIVISION/ AngelicaGray.html Catwalk Productions: www.catwalkproductions.co.uk Shot at the G1 Group Liquor and Cabaret Bar in The Riding Room www.theridingroom.co.uk Designer garments provided by Psychomoda Ladies Clothing www.psychomoda.co.uk