Body Beautiful

Did you know that, in the fashion industry, if you are bigger than a US size 6 (so an Aussie size 10) you are considered to be "plus-size"? Even being a US size 6 can see you left out of designer gear. 

Since I blogged about British Vogue's Alexandra Shulman way back in June, the UK has been awash with real-woman hype.

Glamour magazine published this picture of 20-year-old model Lizzie Miller in its September 09 issue and were flooded with encouraging responses from excited readers.

  (Image from The Age)

Since this, Glamour have committed to showing more diversity across their pages. Four plus-size models, and the magazine's editor in chief Cindy Leive spoke to Ellen a few days ago.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2I8dSHURSk

It's not all been roses though. Obviously many fashion alumni don't appreciate their domain being overrun by women who are built bigger than an Olsen. But as the screen grab above from Ellen shows, these models aren't exactly flying the flag for obesity with their Aussie size 12-14 frames. The fashion industry has always supported rail-thin models, and this has provided a great opportunity for the love of fashion and beauty to be shared across all healthy women.

Designer Mark Fast followed suit at London Fashion Week during September by throwing a few size 12-14 girls in his model mix, which certainly ruffled a few feathers. After watching The September Issue though, I'm pretty sure we won't see Anna the Great doing such a ghastly thing in US Vogue. The horror!

It's not about being skinny, it's not about being huge. It's about healthy bodies - not just healthy body image, but healthy, strong, fit bodies. It's about sharing the opportunity to love fashion and clothes and beauty with more than just a tiny tiny percentage of people.

 

Rein, Rein; You're here to stay

I don't understand the kerfuffle surrounding Mrs K-Rudd.

In case you missed it, Kev's wife Therese Rein, a squillionaire in her own right, was snapped by a women's mag doing squats with her trainer in the local gym.

Obviously we're getting into the ins and outs of privacy laws here but, when the once-plump first lady of a country largely populated by over-fed and under-exercised individuals loses 25kgs, it's a secret that I don't think should be kept behind closed doors.

Kev wasn't impressed with the photographs stating "I think most women in Australia would feel that they should have some privacy when they go to the gym... if Woman's Day want to take photos through the window it's a matter for them I suppose. Others will form their judgments of that."

It's a bit of a tough one for everyone concerned - as soon as a mag puts diet and exercise tips on the cover, it's bound to be a successful issue, and really, as the wife of the man with the top job, Therese should not be immune to the tabloids.

I've met Therese. We were both buying not-so-authentic handbags in a massive market in China last year. She's all business and had clammy hands but she was happy to chat to a few exciteable Aussie kids for a few minutes.

And although Kev said she's been in training to climb Mt Kilimanjaro with their son, Nicholas, I'd be in training too if I had to hang out with Mrs O and Ms Bruni!

31 and still growing...

In her early 20s, Hajnal Ban was 154 centimetres tall, the same height as mini-mogul Ashley Olsen.

Now at age 31, the Queensland politician measures in at Scarlett Johansson's height: 162 centimetres.

How?

She went to Russia.

How?

Pay a Siberian surgeon $40,000 to break your leg in four places and then pad the gaps with metal rings.

Why?

"...because there is so much pressure, particularly on young girls, to be a certain way."

Ahhhh. No. Bad answer.

There is no pressure on young girls to have their legs broken by Russians, let alone anyone, whether they purport to be a surgeon or not!

When Hajnal put herself through this, she was the same age as I am now.

And seriously, I have plenty more things I'd prefer to spend $40,000.

Like maybe all these.

And totally pay off my HECS debt.

It's just bloody ridiculous.

I Just Have A Fast Metabolism!

Ten bucks says that model Lara Stone (stage right) is one of those waif-like characters that respond with "I just eat healthily, do yoga and take my dog for walks at the beach" when asked how she stays smokin' for the catwalk...

Photo from JAK & JIL BLOG