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| The comparison between a model sized women and a average sized women...scary. |
What size do we consider "Sample size"? While watching fashion weeks over the last month, I can help but think how wonderful it would be to see more NORMALALITY in the shows. What is the deal? While I want to see average women, I do understand it is
because these clothes are often made off the mannequin sample size? The clothes
that make it to stores and into retail are mass-produced at many sizes... Often
times, runway clothes are "sample- sized." In order to change this,
we must change the size we consider "Sample".
I was looking at various runway shows from the fall collections,
and began to read through some of the comments. I was surprised to see how many
people have a problem with the size of the models walking the runways of the
shows; asking “why are models so skinny?” or “It looked nice, but I am not
6feet talI, how am I going to wear those clothes?”
Now, I am familiar with the sample size, and understand that the
designers mass produce clothing based on what the buyers like and want to
purchase. Because of this, only one or two samples are made of each piece in
most cases unless the piece is a signature of the collection. I too would like
to see how clothing hangs and wears on people of a normal size and stature. Although,
this may not be the most visually stunning way to present clothing, it would be
the most practical especially for the buyers eye.
I challenge designers to make a few normally-sized pieces per
runway, (atleast for the ready-to-wear collections). This would allow the
population to appreciate the clothing more, because we could visualize someone
like us wearing whatever it is. Sometimes, when we watch these shows, all we
think is, that won’t look good on me because I have _____ (filling the blank
with whatever beautiful curve or feature you may possess that runway models do not).
I began to dig and do some research on this subject matter, as I
find it extremely interesting.
I want to know why runways are not filled with people of normal
size regulations? I also want to understand the details behind the clothing
samples, because I feel the sample size is the basis for the model size. Let's
explore...
A “sample” size is the size the original garment is made into
for a designer’s new collection. Prior to mass production (which depends on buyer
need and consumer want) these sample sizes are all the designer has of their collection.
But why can’t we change the size that we see has “sample”?
In an effort to change, “Vogue editors recently signed a letter in support of the Council
of Fashion Designers of America’s initiative to promote a healthier body image
for women in the fashion industry.”-- Stylaphile Magazine.
The problem with the long-standing
depictions of skinny, rail-thin models on the runway is that young women are so
influenced by what they see. After seeing women in media and on runways, it is
hard to look past comparisons between ourselves, and what we see. Women cannot
help but want to be something they are not (taller, thinner, prettier…etc.), a
body dimorphic that we have been guilty of falling into. Our society is full of
people who long to be someone else, or something better. Not that the models in
shows and sample sizes are going to change the world, but changing the mindset
of the average consumer, would make an impact.
The argument being made by editors
and fashion savvy women everywhere, is that the sample size be changed form a 2
to something that is more average for the typical women. A size 4 or 6 may do
the trick! By doing this, clothes will not only seem more wearable, but also it
would slowly begin to change the women psyci. Long lasting wins for the
designer with increased sample sizes could lead to higher sales. The designer
begins to make clothes that flatter a different body type, a healthier more
realistic body type then more realistic people will be likely to purchase an
expensive piece. If the world of fashion would change their outlook on what real
women are, the only people that would suffer are the 6ft rail thin models,
roughly 3% of the female population… I’ll take the odds (I am sure they will be
alright in the working world.)
http://stylaphilemag.com/2012/06/13/change-the-sample-size-change-the-world/
