Meredith

Visiting this forum has taught me to take note whenever I come across an all-too-rare example of a true plus-size model being used in a fashion campaign. A while back, I noticed a legitimately curvy model at a French retailer called [strong]46 et Plus[/strong]. (The "46" refers to size, not age, with 46 being the French equivalent of a U.S. size 16.) The model had fair skin and a soft physique. Her hairstyle was painfully short, but she was definitely not faux-plus. The company's fashions were mostly formless, but at least one item that the model displayed was body conscious and showed off her figure.



http://46etplus.com/index.php?page=...uemart&Itemid=1


I visited the site again today, and was pleased to see that the photography and fashions have both improved, that the model's hair is a bit longer, and that she has retained her luscious figure. She may even be a bit fuller, and therefore more attractive.



http://46etplus.com/index.php?page=...uemart&Itemid=1


Here she shows off a pretty top.



http://46etplus.com/index.php?page=...uemart&Itemid=1


In the past, her modelling abilities were so-so at best, but I think her technique has improved, e.g. in the case of this hair-over-the-eyes look. Notice how soft and full her arms appear, especially from the reverse view.





http://46etplus.com/index.php?page=...uemart&Itemid=1


Several of her pictures show that she has especially luscious legs.



http://46etplus.com/index.php?page=...uemart&Itemid=1


This isn't much of an outfit, but again it shows her full, shapely legs.



http://46etplus.com/index.php?page=...uemart&Itemid=1


The company obviously decided to have a little fun when styling this ensemble, as they gave the model a touch of a period look. With those lovely legs, she looks terrific in short skirts.



http://46etplus.com/index.php?page=...uemart&Itemid=1


But the two sets of images that especially impressed me were the ones showing her in figure-embracing casual tops, which really define her curves. These simple but body-conscious items represent a definite step forward for 46 et Plus, which has tended towards formlessness in the past.





http://46etplus.com/index.php?page=...uemart&Itemid=1


This item even shows off the roundness at her midsection.







http://46etplus.com/index.php?page=...uemart&Itemid=1


The 46 et Plus model has real potential, I think. If she grows out her hair and retains her current, opulent proportions, and if 46 et Plus shoots her in a more creative campaign, this company, and this model, could end up producing many size-celebratory images. This isn't the first time that a French company has proven to be more size-positive than other European counterparts, and hopefully it won't be the last.

Here's the official 46 et Plus site:

http://www.46etplus.com/