I disagree. The designers have been allowed to use traditional models since the beginning. Having to design regularly for women who fit into the normal range of sizes and shapes will properly stretch their abilities to design for real women. I do think the models should be cycled through the designers so that they all have the challenge of designing for different sizes.

I do think they should know which model they are going to have for each challenge. Which, IRRC, they did for this challenge.

@Costumers said:

Having to design regularly for women who fit into the normal range of sizes and shapes will properly stretch their abilities to design for real women.

In the real world, there are pattern makers, who will shape the design for other sizes.

I do think the models should be cycled through the designers so that they all have the challenge of designing for different sizes.

I agree, but I'm thinking their favorite (we all know they have them on the show) will get a plus-size model during their immunity week.

No. Pattern makers make patterns. Just because they can pattern a design to fit a different size doesn't mean that garment will look good on that size.

A garment that makes a size 2 look fabulous doesn't necessarily (or even likely) make a size 22 look fabulous, or good.

A garment that makes a size 22 look fabulous doesn't necessarily make a size 2 look fabulous.

My wife and I aren't fashion designers, but we design and make costumes (cosplay if you prefer). Neither of us are of the classic fashion model proportions. My wife is close to a 24 with a non-standard distance between the waist and widest part of the hips. I have a very long waist (torso) and could afford to lose 40 pounds. Both of us are very cognizant of the needs to enhance our figures when we design. If we recruit someone of a much smaller size or different proportions, the designs that look god on us cannot be used for the recruit.

@Costumers said:

No. Pattern makers make patterns. Just because they can pattern a design to fit a different size doesn't mean that garment will look good on that size.

A garment that makes a size 2 look fabulous doesn't necessarily (or even likely) make a size 22 look fabulous, or good.

A garment that makes a size 22 look fabulous doesn't necessarily make a size 2 look fabulous.

I agree, but I don't think the competition should be about sizing plus-size models. I want to see the drama, the fashion, and fantasy. It's a form of escapism for me.

We may have to agree to disagree. I like the fashion and Fantasy too. I don't need the drama. But the different sizes and shapes of the models doesn't detract from that for me.

So, we are in week 2, and Brandon gets another plus-size model. He made a nice outfit, but I have to wonder about how they assign models. The bald twin fussed about her model, when she wasn't even plus-sized. In fact, I think Claire, her twin, had a bigger model.

Overall, I believe there are 3 plus-size models in the bunch. There might be 2 size 10s in the bunch.

@Costumers said:

We may have to agree to disagree. I like the fashion and Fantasy too. I don't need the drama. But the different sizes and shapes of the models doesn't detract from that for me.

I'll have to wait and see if this new model (no pun intended) grows on me.

So far I don't think the plus size models have made much difference in my appreciation of the show. Oh, and BTW, that is the last time I will use the term plus size models. Why does it have to be plus? Why isn't just another size and different body type? Most runway models are endomorphs, and rectangles. That body type is easier to fit which is why they are preferred for runway modelling. OK, rant over. Thanks for indulging me.

@jonnieblack said:

So far I don't think the plus size models have made much difference in my appreciation of the show. Oh, and BTW, that is the last time I will use the term plus size models. Why does it have to be plus? Why isn't just another size and different body type?

To me, if you don't use "plus size", what will you use? Most likely, there will just be another name for plus size models.

Personally, I don't think you can use a number, especially since fashion plays fast and loose with sizes, and some body types proportions are not the same. Essentially, you can have two size 16s, and they will be shaped differently. So, I can see why they use the term plus-size.

I agree with the others I have no problem with plus-size models. Actually, I think it is very interesting to see how each designer handles it. We need to remember this first and foremost a competition show not a fashion show. Few designers are ever going to use garbage/ recycled material in their work. Nor are they going be asked to design a glow in the dark look or something water repellant. I see being asked to use a range of body types as nothing more than another facet of the competition.

That said, I love fantasy and escapism as much as the next person, but when a designer whines or has a meltdown over being asked to work with a different body type, all I see is a crybaby who has no concept of the real world or the fact that the average female body type (small or large) falls outside of that of the runway model. And the last thing brought mind is fantasy. It's more like delusion. And that is not a good for someone who wants to be a business success.

Coming in late to these conversations! I agree with Poetist. The plus-size "challenge" distracts from the rest of the challenge. The models are supposed to serve literally as just (moving) coat racks to show off the clothes.

On the other hand, there's definitely a need to design clothes for bigger women, obviously, and the coat-rack would have to adapt to that size (lol). And women aren't either thin or plus size...I guess I mean, there are 8908101 different body types out there, no one outfit being modeled on the runway ever captures all of them. But I do think the runway is to show off the design of the clothing itself. I guess I have mixed feelings.

What I might like better is if they switched it up but had it fair. So like, week 1, all have have the skinny models. Week 2, all have plus size. Week 3, all skinny. Week 4, all plus sized. And so on. So, it's at least a level playing field each time.

@blacknyellowsquid said:

What I might like better is if they switched it up but had it fair. So like, week 1, all have have the skinny models. Week 2, all have plus size. Week 3, all skinny. Week 4, all plus sized. And so on. So, it's at least a level playing field each time.

Exactly this!

Even though I got over the plus size thing, I still believe it has to be fair so that they are all working with the same type of models each week.