Here’s the good news: It’s 2020, and Chanel finally has a plus-size model for the first time in a decade.
Here’s the bad news: It’s 2020 , and Chanel finally has a plus-size model for the first time in a decade .
The internet had some opinions when model Jill Kortleve hit the runway. It’s not her they’re mad at — it’s Chanel.
Meet Jill Kortleve.
She’s a 26-year-old model who hails from the Netherlands. She’s absolutely gorgeous and has a RuPaul quote in her bio — so you know she can hang.
As you can see, she’s a pretty small size!
Jill has a totally amazing body, so let’s get that straight. There is nothing wrong with her! There’s so much that’s right with her.
However, she’s not what you would consider plus-size, is she?
The internet sure didn’t think so.
No one is mad at Jill, who is clearly an angel who deserves the world and cares deeply about changing the fashion industry.
No, the blame is being laid exactly where it belongs: on Chanel.
Some were concerned with Chanel’s message.
More than any other industry, the fashion world is the one that dictates body image. So what message is Chanel sending to young girls who look like Jill?
“Plus-size” is not a dirty phrase, but Chanel sure makes it feel like it is.
She isn’t representative of plus-size women.
Let’s clarify: all women are real women.
Okay, so let’s discuss this. On Twitter, @m0n_ster guessed that Jill was a 10-12. Based on the available evidence? Jill is no more than a size 6.
So, that kinda hurts.
Ryan here actually got it right.
Though times are changing (shoutout to brands like American Eagle and Aerie), “plus-size” usually meant that you were “other” in the store — an addition, something a brand tacked on for those of us with big butts.
People were just straight-up upset.
You can see why. While Jill is perfectly fine and totally beautiful, Chanel setting a standard for “plus-size” and then trying to make that a newsworthy moment makes me feel crazy.
A lot of people had this comment.
And while it’s a pretty common sentiment, let’s be real: at this point, there’s no such thing as a “normal” size. But “average” size? Oh, for sure. In the US, it’s a 14-16.
So, yeah. If anything, she’s below the average size. Negative size, if you will.
Size 6 isn’t plus-size.
While some people don’t even like the term “plus-size” (after all, sizes are sizes), others just want to make sure the industry understands that “plus-size” doesn’t mean any size above 0.
Boy, I sure hope this isn’t the case.
But it kind of feels like it is, right? As always, not being a certain size is a no-no in the fashion world. But now that designers are redefining what plus size means, what are those of us who actually are plus-size supposed to do?
Okay, I laughed.
So, now we need to know how tall she is, right? According to Google, she’s 5’7. So, she’s taller than the average woman, for sure. I mean, she’s taller than me.
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(Most people are taller than me, because I’m 5’5″ and no, I do not want to talk about it.)
One person noticed that Paris Fashion Week is being advertised as “celebrating diversity.”
So… I guess this is Chanel’s version of diversity, huh?
While Jill may represent some people, many feel she doesn’t exactly represent the plus-size fashion industry. An honor like that would go to someone like Ashley Graham, or Tess Holliday.
Some people wanted to redefine the terminology.
If there’s one thing everyone can agree on, it’s that Jill is a totally healthy-looking woman! The days of the “heroin chic” look are long gone — it’s time to see some diversity in fashion.
Others recognized that this was… well, something.
Some users decided to look on the bright side of things. If Chanel is finally branching out above sizes 0-4, then maybe they’re finally learning to embrace more body types.
They hoped this would mark a shift in the industry.
It’s sad to think about, but this small gesture from Chanel could help normalize a shift towards more diverse bodies on high fashion runways. If bodies come in all sizes, shouldn’t clothes?
This is such a great way to take in news.
I feel like we should all be more like Kristen. She saw the headline, pointed out Jill isn’t exactly plus size, but also saw the silver lining. I wanna be more like Kristen.
Jill had a different perspective on her hitting the runway.
She took to Instagram to celebrate this moment in her career.
“There’s a much needed change happening on the runway and I’m proud and feel grateful to be a part of it.”
She also wants to see more body diversity on the runway.
“I truly hope that in the future I get to see and work with many more models who used to not fit the briefing.”
She not only knows what she did is a stepping stone, but also that it may open doors for other women. Queen!
At the end of the day, this was a big moment for her.
“This whole month has been a dream and I never expected that it was even possible for me to walk on the runway, let alone be included in the amazing shows this season.”
Here’s to many more!
