Curvy is in ... for now

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The media loves a good model story, whether it be about alleged model exploitation, the lack of black models in the industry, or Kate Moss. But the angle that by far gets the most column inches? Models and their weight.

The idea was brought up once again earlier this week after the latest edition of French Elle came out, featuring - shock, horror! - a plus-size model on the cover. The inside pages feature other curvier-than-usual models, in the issue described as a "special edition".

It follows a recent issue of V magazine dedicated to curves, and a new section on Vogue's website called Vogue Curvy. Cue claims of plus-size girls being a "trend".

Three's a trend, the old fashion adage goes, so curvy girls are technically "in" then. But does that mean they'll be out again come next season?

Perhaps I'm just too cynical after years of reading fashion magazines, but I find these "special edition" issues that showcase curvier girls just that - special, one-off, gimmicky. What happens in the next issue? Back to usual.

Don't get me wrong - the idea of fashion and magazines broadening their scope and using models who are of a more reasonable weight and size is great and much-needed.

But instead of turning it into a token event which makes newspaper writers and the blogosphere freak out, I wish magazines would just quietly do it, and more than once.

Perhaps the fact that influential designer Miuccia Prada used models with a more "womanly" silhouette (in other words, they had boobs and hips) in her recent Prada show, means the rest of the industry will take note and follow suit.

And hopefully not for just a season.