Plus Size Model Scores Major Deal with Top Agency

In the news recently has been a story about Tess Munster, soon to be Tess Holliday, a plus size model who signed with a major agency. This is news because Tess is a real plus sized model not an industry standard which tends to be a size 8 to 16 (barely plus size). Tess is a size 22, though many claim she is actually larger than that at 5’5″ and 260lbs.

The announcement has been getting all kinds of attention. In an industry that glorifies anorexic women it’s nice to finally have someone on the other end of the spectrum represented. On the other hand, like anorexia, obesity is also a deadly disease and shouldn’t be glorified. These seem to be the two sides that commenters are taking on any page or website that talked about the deal.

There is no denying that Tess is beautiful. She’s got beautiful skin, pouty lips and mesmerizing eyes. Some might even argue that as a woman with curves she is more attractive than the typical runway or fashion model who has been getting thinner and thinner through the decades. The gold standard for a fashion model (print and runway) is a size zero (BMI under 17), Tess is reported to have a BMI of 42 making her at risk for heart disease, diabetes and joint complications just to name a few.

This isn’t to say that it’s healthier at the other end of the spectrum. It’s not. Being anorexic is just as unhealthy as being obese, maybe even worse.

Our views of what makes a woman beautiful have been changing to be sure. At the turn of the century (1900s) a woman was considered beautiful if she had a large bosom, tiny waist (thanks to the torturous corset) and ample back end – The Gibson Girl. As the decades progressed women got smaller and smaller to achieve the considered beauty standard set by magazines and movie stars.

At the same time women have been getting larger. Today the average model has a BMI 17 or less while the average woman has a BMI of 27.5 or higher. Clothing is designed and manufactured for women who wear size 14 or smaller and yet more than half of women wear a size 14 or larger.

There is, indeed, a disconnect.

While it is nice to see the standard of female beauty encompass sizes that are 22 and larger it would be nice if the fashion industry paid attention to those women who were average sized, and healthy. Either extreme is an unhealthy option and shouldn’t we be trying to promote health and wellness?