One of fashion’s most controversial issues is getting air time in documentary Straight/Curve by Jenny McQuaile.

Arriving in September next year, Jenny McQuaile’s documentary Straight/Curve delves into the world of plus size modelling. Documenting a movement that’s already long begun, McQuaile inspects how our apparent obsession with size zero formed and the reaction against it. The converse argument often is that plus size is fine, but the obesity card is played, insisting plus size is promoting just as dangerous an image. McQuaile argues, “We want to empower women to love your bodies no matter what your shape or size, as long as you’re healthy.”

Refreshingly, the film’s trailer isn’t damning thin women either, and model Leah Kelly opens the clip with, “I know beautiful women that are size zero and naturally that way, to say that’s the only beauty that should be showcased is not realistic and hurts our society.” Unfortunately, plus size models have become a novelty of sorts and any news of their appearance in major campaigns is publicised as revolutionary, when in fact, it should be normality. It’s a similar story in racism, ageism, sexism and ableism across fashion but while this divide remains, any positive change must be emphasised

It’s a tired conversation in the sense that it should already be over but empowering to see that we’re almost there. Documentaries like McQuaile’s should help us reach a happy conclusion. It’s somewhat pleasing to hear that women everywhere aren’t the problem, aspiring to one specific type of beauty, but that it’s the fashion industry stuck in old school thinking perpetuating the problem. “The demand is there from consumers to see plus size models in magazines,” Lauren Chan, associate fashion editor at Glamour explains, “the plus size models are available at top agencies, what we’re missing is that piece of clothing that’s sample size to fit them in to get them in book.”

Words: Lily Walker.