Thin's not in, says catwalk model

A Tauranga woman who took to the catwalk at New Zealand Fashion Week as a plus-size model is saddened by pressure on young models to be rail-thin.
Donna Stobie embraced her size 16 curves and felt "incredible" when she modelled for label The Carpenters Daughter, which caters for women sized 12-24.
"It was just an amazing experience.
"It was actually a really emotional experience, because you are walking down the catwalk and you are just like everybody else in the audience.
"There was such a strong connection," the 39-year-old said.
While The Carpenters Daughter embraced curves on the catwalk, it was a rarity in fashion week, which finished on Saturday.
The debate over too-thin models was reignited after 15-year-old Kelly Pryor was banned from modelling in the event because she was "too big".
Kelly modelled at fashion week last year but this year her agency refused to take bookings for her, as her hip measurement had increased.
Campbell Live reported last week that Kelly, whose hips measure 36 inches (91.44cm), is bonded to the agency until April, yet could not work because of her size.
Mrs Stobie, who lives in Papamoa, said the pressure faced by young models was "just so sad".
"It's so sad because it's got a lot to do with inner beauty as well as what you look like on the outside.
"We want [women] to be themselves and be proud of who they are."
Although labelled a plus-size model, in the real world Mrs Stobie is an average size.
However she was not offended by the term "plus-size".
"I think it's something we've been brought up with, that if you are over a size 10 you are a plus-size model.
"Nobody [at the show] felt any less for being a plus-size model.
"If anything, there were so many beautiful powerful women with so much confidence and strength."
A fashion design student who works part-time at boutique Bettie Monroe, Mrs Stobie said women as small as size 8 still had body image issues.
"Working in retail, every single woman I come across has got some kind of hang-up.
"They don't like either their bum or their boobs, or something else.
"We [plus-size women] are no different from a size 10 girl - no matter what size you are, you would never be happy with yourself."
While regular models were expected to be a certain size, there was no such pressure for Ms Stobie.
"That's what's so special about being a plus-size model.
"The Carpenters Daughter is about making you feel beautiful just the way you are.
"They didn't expect anything more than what I was."
Tauranga Girls' College student and occasional model Lauren Bangs is another who has not experienced industry pressure to be thin.
The 17-year-old, who is a size 8, was a finalist in the current series of New Zealand's Next Top Model.
Lauren, who is naturally thin and makes sure she eats healthily, said she did not see any pressure being placed on the other contestants in the show.
She believed the trend for super-skinny models was dead in New Zealand.
"People are more aware of their health.
"These days [clients] want healthy sizes. [The stick-thin look] is not really in these days."