HSG

Among Judgment of Paris favourites, Justine Legault has enjoyed singularly good fortune with her magazine appearances. Nothing can ever match the beauty of her lush forest editorial for Clin d'Oeil in July of last year, which is easily one of the finest stories that any plus-size model has ever shot. However, the current (April 2011) issue of the British lifestyle publication Prima features Justine in a multi-page layout that is lovely in its own right, and is well worth noting.

The title page immediately sets an affirmative tone, with its bold declaration:

All the way back in 2003 (that's right--2003) we decried the efforts by certain bookers in the full-figured modelling industry to do away with the phrase "plus size." We also explained why this phrase is positive. Thus, we are truly encouraged to see Prima use "plus size" thrice--once to refer to the clothing, once to the model, and once to the superlative beauty of this body type. The use of this term is critical, as we explained eight years ago, because it reminds the industry that the models must be sufficiently full-figured to merit the description. If a model is called plus-size, the public will rightly demand that she look plus-size. Attempting to do away with the "plus size" term is, as we stated in 2003, merely a disguised effort to do away with the plus-size body type--or at least to eliminate any visual representation of it.

To be sure, Justine is a mere size 14, but in the U.K., where faux-plus tyranny abounds, she is, astonishingly, on the larger end of "permitted" model sizes. Therefore, Prima deserves another round of applause, not only for celebrating the "plus size" term, but also for featuring a model who, thanks to her curvaceousness, merits it.

Regrettably, Justine's figure is not evident on this title page, but there is much else to admire. The sheer chiffon is sensual and feminine, and the setting is appealing. As the other images will show, the décor is vintage Victorian--which is a perfect backdrop for Mlle Legault's timeless beauty. She herself exudes grace and elegance, therefore she is in her element.

The following is undoubtedly the most beautiful image in the magazine. The skirt is very feminine, and the rose colour attractively complements Justine's fair complexion and golden hair. Her tresses are gorgeously arranged in romantic waves, creating a highly romantic effect. However, her hair also appears to have a touch of the "wet look," as if Justine had just emerged from the shower and her tresses were still damp. This "wet look" adds an extraordinary degree of seductiveness to the image. The model's expression is perfectly chosen--a soft, dreamy gaze, looking away yet simultaneously looking within. The bejewelled wall fitting adds an opulence that harmonizes with Justine's posh beauty.

The most affecting image from the layout is the next picture, which shows Justine adopting a imperious, haughty gaze of disdain. Nothing could be more alluring than the limitless vanity and self-love that Mlle Legault reveals in this picture. Her pose is seductively languid--the viewer immediately perceives that she has never exerted herself in any way in her life, but has had worshipful admirers and abject servants waiting on her, hand and foot, tending to her every want and fulfilling her every desire, while she has lazily lived for pleasure and indulgence. Greedy and spoiled, clearly the consort of a prince or an aristocrat, Justine creates an absolutely intoxicating persona. The blouse is delicate and feminine, and although it is not closely fitted, the viewer perceives her buxom curves even though the fabric.

Completely changing her demeanour, in the following picture Justine appears relaxed, satisfied, and pleasurably well-fed. This image alone offers a hint of her most attractive figure feature, her generous nether curves, with the tunic embracing her round, womanly hips. She looks fresh faced and youthful. How extraordinary that the model who created this sunny, approachable persona also generated the excitingly cruel and selfish look, above.

A curious aspect of Mlle Legault's physique is that, depending on the pose, she can appear either genuinely full-figured or, alas, quite slim. The following picture shows her looking nearly straight-size. Nevertheless, it is an appealing photograph, with the model in a very pretty dress, set against elegant (if weathered) décor. Her hairstyle is very pretty, and her expression--not quite a smile but an earnest, wide-eyed gaze--is feminine and charming.

Except for Shannon Marie (who forever surpasses all other models in every quality), Justine is the most elegant of plus-size goddesses. Her emotional range, as seen above, is boundless, from sinfully, seductively evil to gently, pleasantly wholesome.

Bravo to Prima magazine for booking such a gorgeous, curvaceous talent, and for celebrating plus-size beauty in name as well as in visuals.

- Justine Legault gallery