Designer Karl Lagerfeld says no one wants to look at fat models

WELLINGTON - German designer Karl Lagerfeld has come out in defence of the modelling industry under fire for using too-thin models, insisting no one wants to look at chubby women on the runway.

Lagerfeld’s comments came after the popular German women’s magazine Brigitte announced that they would not use professional models for its photo shoots.

“Fat mummies sit there in front of the television with their chip packets and say skinny models are ugly,” the New Zealand Herald quoted Lagerfeld as telling Focus magazine.

He added the world of beautiful clothes was ultimately about “dreams and illusions” and no one really wanted to see overweight women.

In an interview to the Guardian, editor-in-chief of Brigitte said he would stop using professional models next year because he was “fed up” of retouching photos of underweight models to make them look fatter.

Lebert said that he would now use images of “real life” women, who he hoped would come from all walks of life.

“We’re looking for women who have their own identity, whether it be the 18-year-old A-level student, the company chairwoman, the musician, or the footballer,” he said.

German designer John Ribbe told Focus the controversy over stick-thin models on catwalks and in fashion magazines was nothing but hysteria.

“Ninety per cent [of the models] are totally normal, well-proportioned girls - with less fat and more muscles, who also eat pizza and burgers,” he added. (ANI)