Fashion Design or Homo-Eroticism?

[Jen]

I've long wondered if anyone actually wears the clothing presented on "fashion runways," size aside.

This article (http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/beauty/2533295/Its-cool-to-be-curvy) gives an interesting perspective on why we see this huge discrepancy between what's seen on the runways and what's seen on actual human beings.

"Once gay men took over the fashion industry it became about homo-erotism, not dressing real women, and getting rid of bums and breasts," Brophy says. "If you've got a majority of bodies in society that are unlike what you are presenting on the catwalk, somebody has to answer to them."


I find that really interesting--that this designer blames homosexuals for the size zero bodies everyone wants to look like. The article also implies that a lot of Hollywood actresses are going "curvy," but show me one of them who's a size 16 like the "average NZ woman" and I'll eat my hat. *lol*

[Fi]

I don't buy the homoerotocism thing at all.

[Angel]

I don't buy the homoeroticism thing either, but it is an interesting thought.
And if you're a size 12, you're considered 'plus size' as a model. Which I think is insanely wrong.

[Jen]

Well, I don't see any proof of homo-eroticism and I think women have contributed to the idolization of size zeros as much as men, but there has to be some explanation for the ugly clothes on runways that no real person would wear!!

[Angel]

I think it's the same as 'modern art'. Even if it looks horrendous, it has to be unique and new.

[Jen]

You've got a good point there.

It just seems like an immense waste of time and effort when nobody ends up wearing the clothes in the end.

[Fi]

14 is plus size in clothing shops too. Size 14 usually fits those that are clinically overweight so I can see that.

[Angel]

Here, it's usually 18 and over that's plus size.

[Jen]

First off, while this mightn't be entirely accurate, I've found that if you're a size 14 in the U.S., you're a size 16 in New Zealand. So the offerings in regular vs. plus-sized stores are about the same, give or take maybe one size.

There are also those sadistic retailers who carry only sizes up to 9/10 (or 11/12 in NZ).

14 is plus size in clothing shops too. Size 14 usually fits those that are clinically overweight so I can see that.

My problem with considering size 14 "plus size" and having it available exclusively in plus-size stores is that there are so many tall girls these days. I'm about 6'1. I was 6'0 all through high school. I'm a size 14 when I'm thin (which is to say, not right now). I've been down to a 12 but I had to starve and throw up to do it.

I find it unfair when shops categorize all tall girls as overweight and wonder what it does to the self-concepts of tall girls, especially the young ones, and there are more tall girls now than ever.

If you're 5'2 and a size 14, and having to cut 4 inches off your jeans to make them fit, you're probably quite overweight. But there are certainly size 14 people who are normal.

[Courtney]

agree with jen here.

i'm 5'8" +/- and have some fucking hips (like literal bone size, not fat). when i'm in really good shape i'm like a 8-10. right now i'm not @ my lowest weight, but I'm not overweight (i'd say higher end of ideal thanks to buproprion!<333). still a size a 12. It depends on your body type.

[theonenonlyrach]

*shrugs* 5'4 here. I wear a size 14 and I'm not fat. (I'll ask Jimmy for his approval on this subject?)