Is It Time to Ban the Term ‘Plus-Size’?

The fashion world has made some changes in the last few years, with an on-going conversation about healthy self-image and the impact these messages have on young girls and women. Now, former supermodel and television personality Tyra Banks is calling attention to the term "plus-size" and its place in the fashion industry. Banks is currently taking part in a campaign with Speciak K called "Fight Fat Talk," and is drawing light to how fashion labels separate women of different body types. 

"I don't like the label 'plus-size — I call it 'fiercely real.' On Top Model, we call it fiercely real," Banks said. "I don't want to use the term 'plus-size,' because, to me, what the hell is that? I just doesn't have a positive connotation to it. I tend not to use it." 

She added: "We just need to make sure it's not a trend and that it's something that's normal, because this stuff comes in waves and it would be nice to see it become constant." 

Banks' point is simply that women shouldn't be comparing themselves to each other or different body types, but should instead embrace the differences and find positive ways to describe each other's attributes. 

"Not everyone can look like Kate Upon," Banks said. "Kate Upton's body, as curvy as she is, to a lot of people that's still thin." 

Designer Isaac Mizrahi of Project Runway agrees that women shouldn't be separated by their body type. 

"I don't want to speak to a plus-sized woman differently than I speak to a woman," he said. "I don't like segregation, I like incorporation, I like integration. If you're going to do clothes, you need to do them in a whole size range." 

I certainly like where this talk is leading and I hope more designers take notice. Different body types should be celebrated, not shamed, and banning the term "plus-size" might just be the first step. 

Tags: body image, Fashion, Isaac Mizrahi, plus size, Tyra Banks

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