Two Steps Forward or Back? JAG Agency and the Plus Size Model

I was reading Full Figure Plus’s article about 10 Problems Jag Agency will bring to the forefront of plus size fashion industry and I had to share with you the article and my thoughts around an agency made for all sizes. While I love the inclusion of it all, I have serious questions and it seems I was not alone in this thought too.

Did you read about JAG Agency?

You see, on one hand I find myself doubting the real inclusion, fearing the usage of size 8’s as plus size models. I FEAR this. The models who happen to gain a little bit of weight now being pitched to the plus size brands… With so much progress to use more and more size 16’s and 18’s I feel an agency like this will open the door to an “Oh, well let’s just send her to this board or casting, or audition.” I fear and loathe this feeling.

Images from Modcloth’s inclusive campaign

So, when I saw this post by Glen I smiled and wanted to hug him, and I had to share with you and add my two cents to his points:

10 Problems The Opening Of The Jag Modeling Agency Will Expose

In bold are my thoughts…

1.Designers STILL are not making samples of clothes to fit the plus model silhouette. HOW ABOUT, the models FIT the samples? That is all I ask for. If the model is NOT EVEN IN THE RANGE of the garment, why hire her?

2. There are not enough casting agents willing to represent plus models. I agree. There is always room for growth. If there is not variety and diversity in the business side of things only the few will control what WE SEE and FEEL in the visual side of things.

3. There are not enough photographers experienced in shooting plus models. We have quite a few, but we SOOO NEED MORE. And NOT just in the US, all across the globe. Commercial is great but we NEED more editorial, high end, and dramatic shoots. Let’s push the envelope!

4. There are too many modeling agencies with plus model divisions that they neglect- AMEN.

5. Plus Model Magazine, Dare Magazine, Slink Magazine, and Volup 2 cannot be the only Fashion sources for plus model exposure. The matriculation of plus size fashion throughout the fashion world is needed…

6. There are not enough makeup artists focusing on the plus model industry. We have some face beaters, but we need MORE of the creative, imaginative, and edgy variety sharing their get down!

7. Many mainstream retailers are still not willing to use plus models aka size 18 and up in their print media campaigns. I mean, can we get a plus model in a shoe or accessory ad?

8. Fat shaming is at an all-time high as it relates to plus models and the plus size community in general. I have started to notice this more with comments directed TOWARDS each other, not even from the outside, but we do this to each other, WHY!?!?!?!

9. There is still rampant size discrimination on the fashion runways around the world. With Caibira making history at NYFW, we need more designers with the backing, the imagination, the skill set to deliver in fashion week- showing the fashion industry we can play too.

10. The segregation of plus models and the plus size consumer in advertising marketing programs. If we can get more plus size models INTEGRATED into the beauty, accessory, and shoe campaigns, THIS would be progress!

I echo a lot of what Glen had to say and I am curious, cautious, and concerned about this change. I am cautiously optimistic that this will allow a change, but when you have straight size models like Cynthia Bailey modeling for One Stop Plus, we still have a long way to go in the fashion game. And with the advent of JAG and their use of 6s and 8s, I do hope this is not the direction they push for. Even Ben Barry tackles this difference in size and the savvy plus size woman in Elle Canada’s latest piece!

I know that there is change happening, still a fight for more 16s and 18s in catalogs and campaigns, but I really feels a change is happening! I do! Fingers crossed that they do!