Curve models have criticized the Melbourne Fashion Festival for its “deliberate” lack of size variety on its catwalks.
Both on and off the runway, allegations were made that MFF organizers chose not to cast enough plus-size models.
According to Chelsea Bonner, size diversity activist and executive director of modeling agency Bella Management, the MFF board made a “really clear decision not to cast any models over the age of 12-14”.
“There’s just no excuse this year; it was such a deliberate throwing direction.
“Each of our models up to size 22 was presented to you several times. My director in Melbourne kept asking why they wouldn’t cast models over 14 and those emails were just ignored.”
Melbourne Fashion Festival has defended its selection of models after being criticized for its lack of size variety. (Pictured: A model walks the runway at the Melbourne Fashion Festival)
Model Jess Seeto (pictured) said she felt ostracized by the experience
Chelsea Bonner’s (pictured) modeling agency Bella Management has been pushing for more curvaceous models to appear on catwalks
Jess Seeto, one of the two plus-size models who walked in MFF’s latest show, said the experience made her feel “left out”.
“It didn’t feel right that there were only two plus-size models and two disabled models,” Ms. Seeto said.
“It really sucked and made me feel like I was the ethnically fat person there and was just there to check a box that didn’t feel right.”
Ms Seeto said, “It didn’t feel right that there were only two plus-size models and two disabled models.”
In response to questions from NCA NewsWire, MFF said it had “hired models and speakers from a variety of backgrounds” and ten of its premium runways showcased curvy talent. (Pictured: A model walks the runway at the Melbourne Fashion Festival)
According to Ms. Seeto, of the cohort of about 30 models who walked the final show, only five were “models of diversity,” including curve models and those with a disability.
In response to questions from NCA NewsWire, MFF said it had “hired models and speakers from a variety of backgrounds” and ten of its premium runways showcased curvy talent.
“The festival places a strong emphasis on accessibility, diversity and inclusion and will continue to prioritize this as part of our programming and cast of future events,” said a spokesperson.
The festival also included the Fabulous and Trendy (FAT) Plus-Size Runway, a dedicated runway for models 16-24 and a plus-size market.
Ms Seeto said she was in tears after her fitting for the final show and comments were made about how the clothes fit her, despite the size 16 model being forced to try on size 12 garments.
“I cried after the fitting because I really have problems and a lot of fat people struggle with the feeling that the clothes don’t fit them when the clothes should fit them,” she said.
“At that moment I felt like I shouldn’t be there.”
Ms Bonner confirmed that some of the girls from her agency had left the MFF fittings in tears over the comments made; However, she said she doesn’t believe the attacks were personal, but general hurtful comments towards those with larger bodies.
‘[Fatphobia] spoils the thinking of everyone involved, not just the models. It corrupts the stylists, the casting directors, the magazines for advertisers,” she said.
Maia O’Connor (pictured) said she was appalled by the lack of body diversity on the runways at this year’s Melbourne Fashion Festival
Ms O’Connor protested by wearing this slogan shirt
A spokesman said the MFF was not aware of any models feeling unwell and would have taken action if the festival had been made aware.
The lack of representation during the festival forced one model to take a stand, with Maia O’Connor donning a t-shirt that read ‘WHERE ARE THE FAT B*****S AT? SIZE 10 DOES NOT COUNT! DO IT BETTER!’ emblazoned on the back
Ms O’Connor has attended numerous shows at the MFF this year and was appalled at the lack of diversity after the body positivity movement propelled curved models to the forefront of fashion.
“What are we working for when we can only get to one festival and all that hard work is wasted? A group of people can sit together at a table and just decide they don’t care,” she said.
She said she saw attendees read her shirt; However, the majority of them “turned their backs” on the message.
“It was like there was this giant elephant in the room and I just pointed it out and everyone was trying to shut their eyes to it,” she said.
Ms. Bonner urged the MFF to take a different approach to casting in the years that followed.
“I just hope they think really hard about their direction for next year because this year has been offensive to everyone,” she said.