Last season I really didn't feel it necessary or appropriate to share my opinion on the Mark Fast plus size models drama. In no way do I think it's inappropriate to use plus size models, or am I in any way a fattist. I may be slim, but I eat healthy, do yoga, smoke and stuff my face with chocolate and macdonalds/kebabs when I feel like it. I do know how it feels to look at stick thin models and feel like this perfect image of skinny and happy is being shoved down my throat. I hate my thighs, all I want are model thighs, but I think I'm comfortable enough in myself to not let it affect me. Another thing I know is that when it comes to fashion it isn't as black and white as using thin girls or fuller figured girls.
Knitwear master Mark fast and print genius Mary Katrantzou have been sharing a spot on the Fashion Week calender for three or four seasons now and in my opinions Mark has always completely out shined Mary. Don't get me wrong, her prints are amazing, but seeing a cobweby butt skimming bodycon dream going down the catwalk gets me way more excited than a print shift dress. Last season all the drama was surrounding Mark and his decision to use plus size models, and this season he stuck to his guns and used plus size models/fuller figures/what is even the politically correct term to describe them these days etc etc.
It's great to see someone who has an opinion and isn't afraid to make a statement, but is that statement really valid when even I, a UK size 8, wouldn't be seen dead with 4 boobs, my spanx creating a nice VPL and back fat hanging out of my dress. The grey area on this matter is whether you are achieving the message you are trying to send out, and I think most women who have a bit of junk would agree that there is a certain way of showing off your figure and spilling out of an ill fitting dress is not a way to embrace your curves, nor does it send out the right message.
Don't get me wrong I do think Mark is an amazing talent and there were some pieces I thought were really beautiful but his shows used to be so cool, and you felt like it was the start of something really exciting. It wasn't just the plus sized girls who seemed to have problems with their looks so I'm not trying to say I only liked the dresses on the thinner girls. I'm just looking at a lumpy beige dress, beige tights and beige shoes. This is where Mary Katrantzou really had the opportunity to shine through. She definitely didn't disappoint. Now this is usually not my thing, but her collection, based on 18th Ct Portraiture, was beautiful. Lace ruffles, prints worked around seamless construction and jewel embellishments, and big brass and silver statement jewelery really reminded me of Larcoix couture. It was a really surprising breath of fresh air.
