Perfect Plus-Size

What is it about this Vogue Italia cover that is so striking? Don't say gorgeous ladies in sexy underwear, although this is true. Give up? The  cover features 3 plus size models - Candice Huffine, Tara Lynn and Robyn Lawley. It's definitely a surprise since I don't remember ever seeing a plus size model on a lot of magazines, especially Vogue.  

I think this is great and it's definitely a step in the right direction. Everyone is beautiful in their own way. Size is just a number and eating more than a celery stick is not a crime. It makes me so happy that the world is taking baby steps towards fixing this I-need-to-be-skinny-as-a-stick syndrome that many of us have experienced at some point. But you know, it also got me thinking. In America, where have all the plus-size models gone? They almost never grace the covers of fashion magazines here in the States. Should they just resign themselves to being on catalogs? I think not. Go girls!

Vogue Italia's Belle Verre shoot features the 3 models in seductive lingerie and sexy poses in front of plates of food. The rest of the spread is equally, if not more visual. The models are still in their lingerie and sometimes nothing at all in New York City's Waldorf Astoria. While it's great that their bodies are being celebrated and appreciated, it also makes me just a little bit uneasy.

The whole shoot is very sexually charged and captures the women in various stages of undress. It's nice to see that their lady bits haven't been heavily retouched, but I can't help but think, why is it necessary to have these women wear practically nothing? Is that the only way plus-size models can have a piece of the magazine cover pie? Why was it so hard to just put them in beautiful clothes just like every other model, who is not plus-size? I guess there are two sides to this story.  While it maybe a step in the right direction, there is also a lot of room for improvement.

What do you think? Was this a good idea, or did Vogue Italia send the wrong message?