Did Balenciaga Accidentally Start The Super Skinny Model Trend?

Image of skinny model, sourced via allwalks.org
Image of skinny model, sourced via allwalks.org

This morning, we were interested to read that Balenciaga may have accidentally kicked off the trend for using extremely skinny models on the catwalk.

In an interview for the Sunday Times, fashion designer Nicolas Ghesquière, who is currently creative director for Balenciaga, revealed that there were fit and cut errors that resulted with the fashion house using extremely skinny models on the catwalk.

When Ghesquière first started at the company, he brought a hip, fresh interpretation of Balenciaga classics, but it seems he was inclined to think that a good cut needed to be modelled on a small size.

“Yes, we did have a size issue. We started very skinny, it’s true,” he admitted.

“Strangely, we didn’t have fit models at all to … begin with — just to give you an idea of the size of the company. So we did fittings on the girls at the studio and they were often quite petite. I had a tendency to think good cut and small size, but it should be a good cut in big sizes, too.

“That’s what want I want to focus on — it’s the cut, not the sizing, and if people see they can wear something in a big size, then I did my job.”

As a model agency that promotes positive body image and size diversity, the team here at Talent Management were at least glad to read that Ghesquière is now focussed on a cut that can be worn big or small!