Reshaping fashion: New documentary 'A Perfect 14' about plus size models sheds light on dark side modelling industry
It is safe to say that in the world of fashion, models Elly Mayday, Laura Wells and Kerosene Deluxe stand out in sharp contrast to their size 0 colleagues.
The trio of plus size models have become the subjects of a new documentary titled 'A Perfect 14,' which follows their struggles to make a name for themselves in an industry dominated by painfully restrictive beauty standards perpetuated by equally narrow-minded mass media.
The documentary, produced by Canadian filmmakers James Early O'Brien and Giovanna Morales Vargas, offers an unflinching look at the modelling business and its often unforgiving treatment of women with curves.
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Fashion mavens: Plus-size models Elly Mayday (center), Laura Wells (left) and Kerosene Deluxe (right) are the subjects of a new Canadian documentary 'A Perfect 14'
Fierce: Mayday, from Canada, was interviewed for the movie about her struggles in the world of fashion
Bombshell: Mayday had her share of struggles, including a cancer diagnosis at age 25 which forced her to put her dreams on hold
In the making of the film, its creators interviewed Mayday, Wells and Ms Deluxe about their experiences in the industry and the discrimination they had faced because of their weight on their way to the top.
The creators of ‘A Perfect 14’ also spoke to modelling agencies, fashion photographers and designers to shed light on the public’s wrapped perception of body image and what is considered beautiful.
Described in the film as one of Canada’s fastest rising plus size models, Elly Mayday had her share of struggles, including a cancer diagnosis at age 25.
Faced with rapid weight and hair loss, the budding model was forced to put her dreams on hold, but after beating the life-threatening illness, Mayday went on to sign a lucrative contract with a prestigious New York City modelling agency.
It gets better: Kerosene Deluxe was subjected to vicious bullying before she she became an internationally acclaimed plus size model
Against all odds: Deluxe was told by people in the industry that with her short stature and full figure, no one would ever hire her
In a trailer for the film, Mayday recalls how throughout her life, people made her feel terrible about her body while complementing her pretty face – that is until she finally came to embrace her figure.
When first approached about becoming a model, Laura Wells - a voluptuous brunette from Australia - had serious misgivings because she believed that her figure did not look like 'the norm.'
Wells would eventually be named Woman of the Year by Plus Model Magazine and an ambassador for Greenpeace, among her many accolades.
Kerosene Deluxe reveals in the trailer that she was severely bullied by boys in school. As a teenager, she was sexually assaulted by three of her tormentors, who told her that by the time they were done with her, she would no longer be ‘fat.’
Back on track: after beating ovarian cancer, Mayday went on to sign a lucrative contract with a major modelling agency in New York City
Expert opinion: Besides the three main heroines, the filmmakers interviewed other plus-size models, among them Tracy Cake
As an aspiring model, Deluxe was told by people in the industry that with her short stature and full figure, no one would ever hire her, but she had the last laugh by building a successful career in fashion.
In the trailer, one interviewee is quoted as saying, ‘Weightism is pretty much the last acceptable version of discrimination.’
Another fashion industry insider takes issue with the use of the term ‘plus size.’
‘It's an exclusion term... it doesn't really mean anything. Plus what?’ she says.
Director Giovanna Morales Vargas said she was inspired to make the documentary after meeting plus size models in person
Another model featured in ‘A Perfect 14’ drives home the message of the film, reminding the audience what is truly essential in life.
‘It's important to love your body because you have to live in it,’ she says. ‘It should be your world, it should be your temple, it should be loved and respected... and dressed glamorously.’
The creators of the film are currently trying to raise money on the site Indiegogo to cover their post-production expenses.
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