Redefining the fashion industry one plus-size model at a time

TESS MUNSTER (left) made fashion headlines around the world recently when she became the first plus-size model to land a major modelling contract. In an industry infatuated with ever shrinking waistlines and skeletal, unrealistic body frames, Tess Munster has defied the odds. At 5ft 5 and a UK size 24, the 29-year-old has made history after signing to London based modelling agency MiLK Model Management.

Despite being shot down by various different casting agencies and told she would never cut it as a professional model because of her height and her weight, Munster refused to give up and she was eventually scouted by Anna Shillinglaw. The director and owner of Milk Model Management and former model signed the plus-size beauty after coming across her Instagram account, which has a staggering 443,000 followers.

The American’s signing to a professional modelling agency comes over a year after she was named one of the world’s top plus-size models in 2013 by Vogue Italia.

As well as making fashion history Munster, who also goes under the surname Holliday, launched the #effyourbeautystandards campaign in 2013. The body-positive activist launched her idea in an effort to promote women of all shapes and sizes to be proud of their bodies.

So, what exactly does Munster's signing mean for the fashion industry?

Well, like anything, success comes with judgement and criticism and, unfortunately, Tess is no different. Far from applauding the Mississippi native for overturning traditional fashion standards, many people have been quick to slam her as a negative role model promoting obesity. This blatantly one-sided opinion reinforces the ideology of traditional fashion industries all around the world who promote overly skinny, unrealistic and simply unattainable body shapes and sizes.

We have been brainwashed by the fashion industry over the past few decades into believing that skinny is beautiful and anything else isn’t. This simplistic, black and white view is gradually being turned on its head with the likes of Tess Munster being signed. Her signing to a high-profile agency tells men, women, teenagers and children that there is more than just one desirable look. 

Unfortunately the fashion industry and its models aren’t the only ones to blame. We must also point the finger at the media; newspapers, magazines and, in recent years, social media for endorsing and promoting a certain body type. The increasing use of Photoshop and other editing apps has further alienated the stereotypical, skinny model to ordinary people like you and me.

While some people may take little notice or overlook Tess Munster’s ascension into professional modelling, others will view it as a monumental step for the ordinary people of this world.

Anorexia, bulimia and so much more negative attention has surrounded the fashion industry in recent years and it's time to look at some of the more positive attributes the runway has to offer. Yes some people will argue against me that a model of her height and weight should not be anywhere near a camera or a catwalk but I disagree. It’s high time we started looking past skinny and redefined what it means to be a model. 

The future is bright for Tess Munster and, with fingers crossed, I hope she paves the way for many more models like her.

Picture courtesy of Photographer: http://www.capturedbychelzea.com/