Feminist, Fat, and Fabulous Blog: Lagerfeld Lampoons ‘Fat Mummies’
Recently, Karl Lagerfeld, the Kaiser, the current designer for Chanel and his own line made some comments in regards to fat people and clothing. He said, during an interview with the German Focus magazine (translated on Same Same website):
“These are fat mummies sitting with their bags of crisps in front of the television, saying that thin models are ugly.” He then went on to say that fashion is about “dreams and illusions, and no one wants to see round women”.
I don’t even know if I can get angry at Lagerfeld anymore. I find him so utterly ridiculous, that it feels like he’s a parody of himself. From being disgusted at his formerly fat self, to promoting his ridiculous diet, it feels like I’m watching a Saturday Night Live sketch play out in real life.
Not to mention the fact that he’s hypocrite. A giant, huge hypocrite. This from the man who was horrified that fat women wanted to wear his diffusion collection designed for Swedish chain H&M, to practically becoming BFFs with Beth Ditto, the fat and proud lead singer of The Gossip and an advocate of the Idon’tgiveafuck school of thought. This from a man who sees nothing wrong with getting money for custom-made Chanel designs worn by larger, richer women who wouldn’t fit anything off the rack. It’s different when there’s money involved, yeah?
I bet if some of those “fat mummies with their bags of crisps” (and how classist AND sexist is that statement?) were rich, he wouldn’t hesitate to design a dress or two for them.
Bitch, please.
lol I like your “bitch please” statement. Gosh, I can’t believe he said that. I don’t see why it’s such a problem to showcase medium to plus sized women on magazines or in the media. Average women are the ones purchasing the clothing or whatever not size 0 6ft tall women (generally). Why not try to relate these models to the consumer? There have been many excuses ofcourses, like plus size models are too curvy and it’ll distract people’s attention from the clothes when they walk down the runway or clothes just look better on taller people or you can see it more…etc.
I read the article and I agree with Naomi Campbell to some degree that it is not only the industry’s fault. I think consumers have gotten used to seeing skinny girls in magazines and the media that when they see a slightly larger woman some react in a negative way. I’m not sure if it’s too late to “de-condition” people on getting used to and accepting larger women in magazines (although I hope so).
Anyways, Iagain, really can’t believe Karl said that…WOW. Does he know his target audience, most of them aren’t size 0? And “fat mummies with their bags of crisps”? WOW. He had to go that far?
*Shakes head in disaproval*
Hah, thanks!
I’ve heard the argument that the clothes are showcased on thin models because they are really supposed to be hangers and shouldn’t distract from the clothes a million times. I think it’s a load of bull, really. I’d be more inclined to buy something if I found the clothing fit really well on a person’s body, because it makes me imagine that it will fit really well on me — regardless of their size or my size.
And I also agree to a certain extent. I don’t think it’s entirely the blame of the fashion industry. I think yeah, we’re so used to seeing slim models on the catwalk and in the pages of magazines, that anyone remotely larger than a slim model takes us aback for a bit. I think it’s not too late and we need to work on normalising bodies. And it’s always women’s bodies.
Seriously! It’s just so utterly ridiculous that I find myself rolling my eyes and screaming: “Next!”