Magazine gains pounds over the holidays

Following last year's plus-size issues and Photoshop bills, the all-natural vs. picture-perfect debate is still going strong in 2010, from V Magazine's new fashion spread 'Curves Ahead' to Brigitte's first model-less issue, and Australian Marie Claire's 'Naked Truth' cover.

After V Magazine (vmagazine.com) released a 'fashion face-off' between 'skinny' model Jacquelyn Jablonski and plus-size colleague Crystal Renn in December, the publication has taken things one step further, unveiling its 'Curves Ahead' fashion spread (out with the January 14 issue) that exclusively used plus-size women to showcase the latest fashion and, on one picture, nothing but the model's bare skin.

Candice Huffine, Marquita Pring, Michelle Olson, Tara Lynn, and Kasia P are the curvy bombshells chosen by the magazine to be styled by Nicola Formichetti and photographed by Solve Sundsbo for a fashion spread considered to be the first notable plus-size feature in high fashion.

Sundsbo commented: "I loved the opportunity to show that you can be beautiful and sexy outside the narrow interpretations that normally define us."

While V Magazine and German magazine Brigitte - which just released its January issue with 'normal people' replacing its professional fashion models - are pleasing crowds, Australian Marie Claire is currently having a harder time with its audience: after a well-intentioned 'Naked Truth' February cover starring a non-airbrushed Jennifer Hawkins, readers and media personalities have protested against the notion that a former Miss Universe's "flaws" (Hawkins displays some dimples on her thighs and a minor waist crease) would make women feel more comfortable about their bodies.