One: the high fashion industry is for the thin, we all know this, there are manny designers/editors who feel the same way and either haven't made public comments or their comments didn't get the same amount of press as Karl. We've all lived through women's magazines promoting quickie diets, "nothing tastes as good as thin feels", women being called Social X Rays, etc.
Two: Karl himself went through a heavy phase for years, and famously said he dieted to fit into Hedi Slimane's skinny Dior menswear. He famously wrote a diet book, and had a Diet Coke deal as well. His disgust at heaviness could have been partly self loathing.
Three: Karl being so obsessed with art, probably thought of his designs as art and didn't like 'real' women messing up his vision of art. The women Karl knew probably felt the same, and kept themselves thin so their clothes would look their best.
But when it comes down to it, if a larger woman wanted to order Chanel Couture in a larger size, they would sell it to her. And Chanel in the US, at least in the late 90s was definitely available in a size 14-16 (which isn't plus sizes, but definitely more than a 0 or 2.
I'm of several minds re: Karl's fat comments.
One: the high fashion industry is for the thin, we all know this, there are manny designers/editors who feel the same way and either haven't made public comments or their comments didn't get the same amount of press as Karl. We've all lived through women's magazines promoting quickie diets, "nothing tastes as good as thin feels", women being called Social X Rays, etc.
Two: Karl himself went through a heavy phase for years, and famously said he dieted to fit into Hedi Slimane's skinny Dior menswear. He famously wrote a diet book, and had a Diet Coke deal as well. His disgust at heaviness could have been partly self loathing.
Three: Karl being so obsessed with art, probably thought of his designs as art and didn't like 'real' women messing up his vision of art. The women Karl knew probably felt the same, and kept themselves thin so their clothes would look their best.
But when it comes down to it, if a larger woman wanted to order Chanel Couture in a larger size, they would sell it to her. And Chanel in the US, at least in the late 90s was definitely available in a size 14-16 (which isn't plus sizes, but definitely more than a 0 or 2.
Great interview!
Loved this - can't wait to read the book!