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The changing image of perfection

It’s once again that special time of year when men flock to the newsstand to pick up the latest Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition. Because, yes, those bikini-clad babes are all about the sports.

It’s once again that special time of year when men flock to the newsstand to pick up the latest Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition.

Because, yes, those bikini-clad babes are all about the sports.

But this year, there’s something a little different amid the pages of SI: a plus-size model. 

Of course, in the modelling industry, “plus-size” refers to size eight and up – hardly what most would consider “plus.” 

And in this case, Australian SI model Robyn Lawley is a fit size 12 without a belly roll or ounce of flab in sight. 

While the industry certainly has a long way to go, the inclusion of a model beyond the typical size zero or (gasp!) size two figure is a welcome change. 

And Sports Illustrated isn’t the only one making waves.

Carmen Dell’Orefice is gracing the cover of New You magazine at 83 years of age. 

Despite Cheryl Tiegs and Christie Brinkley hitting their 60s with panache, Dell’Orefice is the pioneer of this prestigious and limited corner of the modelling sphere. 

As the “world’s oldest working” supermodel, her career has spanned nearly seven decades. 

However, she’s gotten busier as she aged, doing much more than the typical commercials for anti-aging creams.

Of course, her print work has likely been retouched and her TV ads carefully lit. 

She’s had “some work” done, including Botox, dermabrasion and silicone and collagen injections. Oh, and a knee replacement.

But still, she’s 83. And gorgeous.  Take that Kate Upton! 

Then there’s Jamie Brewer – an established young actress with Down syndrome who is on the catwalk in New York this year. 

Designer Carrie Hammer is behind the “Role Models Not Runway Models” campaign which features inspiring real women in her shows. 

It started simply enough.  Hammer needed women for her show last year so she called some of her existing clients – one of whom was in a wheelchair. 

The show, and the resulting campaign, was a hit.

So this year, Brewer, who is on American Horror Story, is joining the rest of the glamourous ones as the first woman with Down syndrome to model during Fashion Week.

And why not?  Models are simply an animated replacement for a clothes hanger. 

They’re a stand-in for us with the product.

Brewer is pretty with a fabulous figure. She can also inspire a very specific segment of the population who need to see that anything is possible, even when you live with a disability.

So isn’t it about time our models reflected more of the people they’re supposed to represent? 

We’ve finally started to see different skin tones and ethnicities in the media. 

Now, we have to literally expand the model persona to show different shapes, sizes, ages and personal realities. 
And one per category isn’t going to do the job.

Of course, how many would line-up to get a copy of the SI: Swimsuit Edition filled with less-than-ideal images? 

But a senior citizen and couple of size 12s or 14s couldn’t hurt.

We might even learn something.



 





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