Too fat to be a model? The picture that caused a storm in the fashion world

The Guardian ^ | 9/2/2009 | Naomi Alderman

[Saije]

Lizzie Miller is considered too large to model plus-size clothes. Is the reaction that followed the publication of this picture going to change that?

'It's a photo that measures all of three by three inches," gushes Cindi Leive, editor of US Glamour in a post on the magazine's blog, "but the letters about it started to flood my inbox literally the day Glamour hit newsstands." The picture in question, illustrating a story about body confidence, has generated more than 700 comments on the site, and featured on the US Today morning TV programme. What does it show? A beautiful, creamy-skinned naked model . . . with a small roll of stomach fat.

Lizzie Miller, the 20-year-old model in question, agrees that it's astonishing that, at 5ft 11in and 12.5 stone she's considered a "plus size" model. *****

One wouldn't have thought this would be news. As Miller says, "pretty much every picture in a magazine or ad is airbrushed . . . I don't think the public understands how much smoke and mirrors are involved in making women look like that."

[Saije]

She wouldn't make it on "More to Love".

[BBell]

useless without pictures

I hope this does not get pulled.

[Saije]

I wasn’t sure so thought I would just link. That and I don’t really know how to do it anyway. Thanks though.

[Question Liberal Authority]

What the hell is 12.5 stone? Why can’t these British papers speak English?

[SWAMPSNIPER]

She can pose for me!

[bvw]

175 lbs

[Question Liberal Authority]

Lizzie Miller is considered too large to model plus-size clothes.

From the picture, it doesn't look like she's modeling any clothes.

[cdcdawg]

she looks like she has had a baby. That’s a pretty unflattering pose. Yeah, she has a little bit of a gut, but still a beautiful woman. That said, she doesn’t look very fit for 20 years of age.

[Trod Upon]

She is kind of chunky for modeling, but then isn’t “plus size” a euphemism for flabby?. Bah, I never understood the importance of models anyway. Mannequins are cheaper and hold the clothes just as well.

[Radix]

just gross

[Victor]

Not too guilty....

[wetgundog]

she’s gotta heck of a “pooch” there...

[BlueNgold]

1 stone = 14 pounds
12.5 Stone = 175 lbs
Also commonly referred out as 12 Stone 7

[wastedyears]

What the hell is 12.5 stone? Why can’t these British papers speak English?

175lbs

[b4its2late]

Yes it is.... she’s a liberal

[muir_redwoods]

Not guilty

[cydcharisse]

Google is your friend. 175 lbs.

[cripplecreek]

[Atom Smasher]

I’m sorry, but that is just too sick! How disgusting!