Melbourne Fashion Festival: Fury over 'deliberate' lack of plus-size models trends now
Curve models have slammed Melbourne Fashion Festival for its 'deliberate' lack of size diversity on its runways.
The accusation that MFF organisers chose not to cast a large enough number of plus-size models has been made by those both on the runway and off.
The MFF board made a 'really clear decision to not cast models above a size 12 to 14', according to Chelsea Bonner, a size diversity activist and chief executive of modelling agency Bella Management.
'There's just no excuse this year; it was such a deliberate casting direction.
'They were presented with every single one of our models up to a size 22 multiple times. My director in Melbourne kept asking why they wouldn't cast any models over a size 14 and those emails just went ignored.'
Melbourne Fashion Festival has defended its line-up of models after being criticised for its lack of size diversity. (Pictured: a model walks the runway at Melbourne Fashion Festival)
Model Jess Seeto (pictured) said she felt ostracised by the experience
Chelsea Bonner's (pictured) modelling agency Bella Management pushed for more curve models to be included on runways
Jess Seeto, one of the two plus-size models who walked in MFF's final show, said the experience made her feel 'ostracised'.
'It didn't feel right that there were only two plus-size models and two models of disabilities there,' Ms Seeto said.
'It really sucked and made me feel like I was the token ethnic fat person there and that I was just there to tick a box, which didn't feel right.'
Ms Seeto said, 'It didn't feel right that there were only two plus-size models and two models of disabilities there'
In response to questions from NCA NewsWire, MFF said it 'engaged models and spokespeople from diverse backgrounds' and ten of its premium runways featured curve talent. (Pictured: a model walks the runway at Melbourne Fashion Festival)
According to Ms Seeto, out of the cohort of about 30 models who walked in the final show, only five were 'models of diversity', including curve models and those with a disability.
In response to questions from NCA NewsWire, MFF said it 'engaged models and spokespeople
