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People Are Talking Sep 21, 2009 @ 8:09am

Still Going: Fat & Fast

mark fasts controversy.jpg We’re basically over the size zero debate - models will always be skinny. But absolutely no one’s over Mark Fast’s runway statement from last Friday.

Why? Because it wasn’t just the audience made uncomfortable by the big girls, but also the team behind the show. One staff member quit over Fast’s use of plus size models and another, the show’s stylist, was so rude to the girls that they were forced to fire her.

So instead, stylist Daniela Agnelli, who usually works for The Telegraph, stepped in to save the day, and though there’ve been complaints about the nude thongs cutting into the girls’ skin and ruining the lines of the clothes, overall, it was a success.

We love fashion, and thus it follows we love a scandal, but we can’t help but be disgusted over this whole thing. For two people from a small team to be too embarrassed to have their name attached to a few gorgeous plus sized models is awful.

If there’s anything to bitch about it’s that Fast only used three plus size girls and not more.

—A LONDON FASHIONISTA

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posted by Hag in a black leather jacket

Sep 21, 2009 8:48AM

This article seems oddly conflicted; are they "gorgeous plus-sized models", or are they "big girls" who make the audience "uncomfortable"?

The use of the word "fat" in the headline is a nice touch, too. You stay classy, Fashionista!

posted by guest

Sep 21, 2009 9:04AM

Guest #1 sums up my exact feeling on this post. "Fat & Fast"? ugh

posted by guest

Sep 21, 2009 10:02AM

Agree with the first 2 commenters...calling the models "the big girls" and "fat" is immature and does nothing to elevate or contribute to the debate around Fast's show.

posted by Frisee

Sep 21, 2009 10:06AM

I don't agree with the terminology used in this post but I have to admit that looking at the girls on the runway did make me uncomfortable...not because they were bigger girls but because someone backstage thought that shoving a size 2 dress and undies on a size 8 girl would be fun.

I feel bad for them, they all look larger than they really are because of the ill-fitting garments. Shame on whoever sent them out like that!

posted by guest

Sep 21, 2009 10:08AM

I definitely agree with #1, too.

And this just sounds like a terribly planned, terribly executed runway show in terms of the plus-sized models.

There's no reason why they couldn't have thongs their size.
Everyone was uncomfortable because those girls looked like "that girl" you see at the club who is wearing an ill fitting top or dress or pants. Mark Fast and his people should have done better in that respect.

posted by guest

Sep 21, 2009 10:14AM

oh please. they are big girls!! have you seen plus sized models? their bodies are amazing but they're tall, curvy and big. that doesn't mean they can't be "gorgeous" too! did anyone actually read this whole post all the way through?

posted by Belle de Jour

Sep 21, 2009 10:19AM

I think this idea was Mark Fast's PR hail mary shot in the dark. Have you realized how much press this collection has gotten?

Sad that people had to lose their jobs over it, but whatever. Now I'm actually paying attention to the previously unknown Mark Fast.

posted by Britt Aboutaleb

Sep 21, 2009 10:19AM

guest #1: why can't the girls be both "gorgeous plus-size models" and "big girls"?

posted by guest

Sep 21, 2009 10:39AM

Having looked at the photos of this show, i cant really say i liked the styling...as for the use of plus sized models, the fact is that this is a label that bears Marks name and if he wants to use middle aged models or plus sized models to show his idea he should be able to without having members of hism team throwing hissy fits.
Their behaviour was so unprofessional.....

posted by guest

Sep 21, 2009 10:39AM

I absolutely commend using the word fat in this post. Part of what FA (Fat Acceptance) is about, is taking back the term fat as a neutral descriptor instead of a shameful value judgement. Thank you Britt!

posted by guest

Sep 21, 2009 10:57AM

I remember hearing about the plus-sized girls then looking at the pictures and the only thing I could concentrate on were the ill-fitting thongs. Seriously, is it THAT hard to run to Calvin to pick 3 up in a size 8? Bravo to Fast and his team for trying, but the execution wasn't there.

posted by duh

Sep 21, 2009 11:36AM

fat, skinny, ugly, whatever. we should all be treated with respect... at least when your face to face with someone, ahha.

posted by etoilee8

Sep 21, 2009 11:53AM

When I saw the girl in the photo the first thing I thought was "oh she's stunning".

posted by guest

Sep 21, 2009 12:26PM

The girls ARE "gorgeous plus-size models" and "big girls". Everyone's attributing all of this negative connotation to every word in the article describing their size. Lets face it, the girls are not what you would consider thin. If any of you saw one of these women walking down the street, you would think (or say) that they're fat. Period. Don't criticize the article, criticize the people who dressed these girls for being so incredibly idiotic! There wasn't a dress or some underwear in all NY in a size 10?? I consider THAT offensive! It was demeaning to make these girls walk out looking a super hot mess! (as if you can't make a big girl look good! my god!!) trying to change the industry?? I DON'T THINK SO!

posted by Hag in a black leather jacket

Sep 21, 2009 1:12PM

A good point, Britt, but "big" as an adjective rarely has positive connotations for a woman. "Amazonian", "Reubenesque", "Curvaceous", "Voluptuous", "Larger-than-sample-size" perhaps. "Big", no.

Mind you, "fat" is probably worse, so I guess the only way was up from there.

posted by hussah

Sep 21, 2009 1:13PM

I think the collection was beautiful, and it was great he used different sized women. I also think the clothes looked better on the plus sized models.

posted by guest

Sep 21, 2009 2:01PM

i hope that the staff member and stylist never finds work again. how freaking immature can you get.

posted by astralgirl02

Sep 21, 2009 2:34PM

Agree with the first two commenters... your use of "fat" in the title is just as inappropriate as the actions of the two Fast staff members that quit.

Mr. Fast should totally release the name of the staffer and the stylist so that they may be shamed for all time....

posted by gigi

Sep 21, 2009 3:36PM

To guest #14: I'm still trying to pick my jaw up after reading your comments about 'how fat' that model is.
It's a well-known fact that model plus size /= real life plus size and I'm pretty sure the first and only thought that would pass through my head if I saw her on the street would be "what a beautiful girl."

posted by guest

Sep 21, 2009 3:43PM

Usage of the terms "fat" and "big girls" is only offensive if you find this state to be a bad thing. If there's nothing wrong with being whatever size they're bodies are happiest at, then who cares if they're fat?

I understand that we are often told that fat = bad, but it doesn't have to. If you use the word in a respectful, non-judgmental manner then I don't see a problem.

posted by guest

Sep 21, 2009 3:47PM

Re: the "why not call them big/fat girls" comments...think of how you would feel if someone referred to you as "a big girl" or as "fat". You'd very likely feel like shite. As 15 pointed out, "big" and "fat" are words that are usually used as put downs when applied to women and the fact that these women are models and therefore somewhat acknowledged as beautiful doesn't change that.

posted by Reenie

Sep 21, 2009 3:59PM

I agree with everyone who said that these poor women should have been given better fitting clothes or at least underwear. I mean....anyone in too-tight underwear is going to look terrible.

Also...and I am really asking because I don't know...what size do you have to be to be a plus-size model? The model in the pic looks like what...an 8, 10 tops?

posted by Amanda

Sep 21, 2009 4:06PM

I think it's great that plus-sized models are being used on the runway. As for the sizing issues, if you are going to use larger girls make sure the clothes fit them properly.

Go Mark Fast!

posted by guest

Sep 21, 2009 4:10PM

The girls are big. PERIOD. and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that, but you all consider yourselves high & mighty, as if you wouldn't judge someone you thought was bigger than you (please!) I wish someone would just say that they're big, because by the way, in case no one noticed, THEY ARE! (in your industry, they are even considered 'Fat') YES, most normal women are not pin-thin, WE in the real world are accustomed to seeing larger women, but my god! you all get upset over someone calling a big girl, big. Don't be ridiculous. Everyone is so sensitive & so incredibly preoccupied with words. Besides, most of you don't even finish the article. You get stuck somewhere in the middle, hating some words that YOU think might offend the world so much! Stop talking (or typing) as if we lived in some type of utopia...

posted by shinyredthermos

Sep 21, 2009 5:29PM

I'm the same size as these girls, and I'm sorry, but thongs even in my size still cut into my skin awkwardly. I think all of you are missing the point here....

This is what these clothes are going to look like on real people. This is how a size 8-10-12-14 girl will look in this dress. And hell, VPL or not, it looks good. They are sexy.

The styling in this collection is such a breath of fresh air. Its real. And its still hot.

I would never walk outside in those dresses, but seeing these girls actually made me feel beautiful and I will think of them even when im throwing on some jeans and a tshirt and just think about working it fiercely.

seriously. ferocious.

posted by guest

Sep 21, 2009 5:30PM

I totally agree with Guest 10. Fat is a neutral adjective used to describe the size of someone's body and not a derogatory term. Thanks for covering this show fashionista!

posted by guest

Sep 21, 2009 5:42PM

In what world would the model in the picture be considered fat? Oh wait, I guess in the world of "fashionistas." I get that the writer was using the word as a comment on how much people were overreaacting, but by any normal standard, whether by health, fitness, BMI, or accepted medical standards, I doubt she would be considered anywhere close to overweight. I mean, if you threw her in with the US Olympic team (or any other group of exceptionally fit women) she would probably blend in a lot better than most runway models, who would just look sickly in comparison.

And really, how bad of a stylist must you be if you can't even make an exceptionally beautiful normal-sized person look good...

posted by guest

Sep 21, 2009 6:12PM

I don't think the problem was that the person who wrote the post called them "big girls". It was that she insinuated that plus-size models make audiences uncomfortable, and then said the designer should have included more "gorgeous plus-sized models".

This makes the author's stance on the matter unclear.

posted by guest

Sep 21, 2009 6:13PM

Apart from the ill-fitting thong, the model's poor posture doesn't help her. I don't think she is fat, but a straighter shoulder would have elongated her body and accentuated her waist more!

posted by guest

Sep 21, 2009 8:26PM

#25- Victoria's Secret makes thongs that don't cut into me. I wear a dress size 10 or 12, depending on the brand. VS' Very Sexy lace-trim wide-side thong fits my curves well minus cutting into them. Just don't get their dental floss looking thongs.

posted by Reenie

Sep 21, 2009 8:30PM

#29- I agree, she looks miserable and defeated...although I guess we all feel that way when we're wearing something that doesn't fit.
#30- Agreed! Hanky Panky has great stretch lace thongs that don't give anyone a muffin top.

posted by guest

Sep 22, 2009 11:23AM

i love how the see-through ribbed dress looks on her.

posted by guest

Sep 22, 2009 1:48PM

Can't the fat girls at least stand up straight and not slouch down the runway. She looks bad.

posted by guest J

Sep 22, 2009 1:50PM

I'm sorry btu im gonna have to be honest here. To be plus size JUST doesn't look good, as much as people might say it does. It's nos glamorous and it's definitely not sexy. It IS sad, but it's just how our society has become. Our beauty standards are a certain way [for the most part] and there's nothing that can change that. The only thing there is to do is, instead of trying to change our society's viewpoint, LOSE WEIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ps. I'm not being rude, i just know what it's like to be overweight, and it's NOT PRETTY...

Thanks =)

posted by guest

Sep 22, 2009 2:08PM

Uh, I would probably quit rather than have my work associated with this monstrosity. That girl in the photo has a muffin top. Gross.

posted by guest

Sep 22, 2009 5:29PM

28, I don't think anything was unclear. The poster didn't insinuate, she stated straight up that many in the audience were uncomfortable with seeing the bigger models on the runway. Which, judging from the comments, appears to be a completely accurate reflection of reality. And she thinks that despite that discomfort, designers still should have more "plus-size" models on the runway.

posted by a stylist

Sep 22, 2009 5:42PM

Did anyone consider that maybe the underwear didn't fit because the stylist was replaced at the last minute? Perhaps the show could have been better... if the team had not been compromised. A show takes a long time to plan.

posted by a realist

Sep 22, 2009 8:16PM

The plus-size model thing at London Fashion Week was kinda inevitable because Britain has the European highest number per capita of fat bitches.

I'm not kidding, it's statistically proven.

posted by label 1701 accessories

Sep 23, 2009 9:15AM

Totally agree with #22, 23 and 27!This model probably represents the majority of the female population! Most likely she was asked by the designer to show the dress, so why didn't he design the dress in her size then???