Plus-sized model Katya Zharkova appears in a shoot for PLUS Model Magazine that is creating quite a stir. Katya Zharkova is sans clothing in this 8-page spread next to an also-nude anonymous "straight model."
On each of the editorial's pages are statistics regarding modeling and weight over the last decade. For example, one says, "Twenty years ago the average fashion model weighed 8% less than the average woman. Today she weighs 23% less."
The photos with Katya Zharkova are shocking, not just because of the statistics that go along with them but also because she poses next to (and holds and lies onto) a model that is obviously supposed to represent the "wrong" weight.
The magazine, in response to some of the backlash it has received, stated, "We are bombarded with weight-loss ads every single day, multiple times a day because it’s a multi-billion dollar industry that preys on the fear of being fat. Not everyone is meant to be skinny, our bodies are beautiful and we are not talking about health here because not every skinny person is healthy."
Plus-Size Model Comparisons
Katya Zharkova in Controversial Spread for PLUS Model Magazine
Trend Themes
1. Body Positivity Movement - The controversy surrounding the plus-size model shoot highlights the growing body positivity movement and the demand for more diverse representations of beauty in the fashion industry.
2. Changing Standards of Beauty - The statistics presented in the shoot raise questions about the changing standards of beauty and the pressure to conform to unrealistic body ideals.
3. Positive Body Image Advocacy - The magazine's response to the backlash indicates a growing advocacy for positive body image and challenging societal norms around weight and beauty.
Industry Implications
1. Fashion and Apparel - The fashion industry has an opportunity to embrace diversity and inclusivity by featuring more plus-size models and promoting body positivity through their campaigns and designs.
2. Media and Advertising - The media and advertising industry can contribute to the body positivity movement by showcasing a wider range of body types and challenging traditional beauty standards in their advertisements and editorial content.
3. Health and Wellness - The health and wellness industry can play a role in promoting a holistic approach to well-being that focuses on self-acceptance, body positivity, and mental health rather than solely focusing on weight loss.