Crystal Renn walked one show in New York, but did three in Paris, prompting her to proclaim that times are changing in the fashion industry. “I’ve done one show before, usually as a special guest, but to be working this much is incredible,” she said. In Paris, she walked Zac Posen, Chanel, and Jean Paul Gaultier; she feels like she’s not being treated as the token plus-size model anymore.
“I’m here being treated like any other girl. It doesn’t matter my size. It doesn’t matter who I am. I’m going on castings like everybody else.” Though Renn is now a slimmer size 10, she says she’s still “different from most of the girls at the castings,” but acknowledges that there is more diversity on the runway these days. “When I first started, the girls were all blonde, all emaciated and miserable looking,” she says. “Now, there’s more ethnic diversity. The girls are not as skinny as before. You do see size 6s and a couple size 8s. There is change happening in the industry. There is more allowance for people to be different. I’m so impressed. I can’t wait for next season.”
She forgot to mention the working pregnant models! All TWO of them! But seriously, it seems sad that walking three shows instead of just the one feels like such a huge change. And while Renn’s jobs keep rolling in, what about other plus-size models? The industry has accepted her but she’s just one woman. Renn’s views on the matter are perfectly valid, but even British Vogue editor Alexandra Shulman still seems to feel like Renn is the exception to the rule and wishes designers would get over “shock” casting.
Crystal Renn’s Tour De France: Walking in Three Major Paris Fashion Week Shows [StyleWatch/People]
