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Calvin Klein Stirs Debate on Plus-Size With Size-10 Model Myla Dalbesio

Myla Dalbesio poses for Calvin Klein Underwear's Perfectly Fit line
Myla Dalbesio was cast in Calvin Klein's "Perfectly Fit" campaign, representing models who aren't a size two

The never-ending debate on body types in the fashion industry just picked up a new set of legs. 

After appearing in Calvin Klein’s new “Perfectly Fit” campaign, model Myla Dalbesio found herself in the center of an online conversation over what is considered to be plus-size. At ground zero, the 27-year-old’s interview with Elle.com, which labeled the size 10-beauty as plus size, according to fashion industry standards. 

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“It’s kind of confusing because I’m a bigger girl,” Dalbesio told Elle. “I’m not the biggest girl on the market but I’m definitely bigger than all the girls [Calvin Klein] has ever worked with, so that is really intimidating.”

Indeed, Dalbesio appears in Calvin Klein’s latest campaign alongside models like Jourdan DunnLara Stone, Amanda Wellsh, and Ji Hye Park.  

Calvin Klein Underwear - The Perfectly Fit Line
Jourdan Dunn, Lara Stone, Amanda Wellsh, and Ji Hye Park appear in Calvin Klein’s new “Perfect Fit” campaign.

On Tuesday, Nov. 11, the model addressed the controversy — and defended Calvin Klein — on Today.  “It’s really unfortunate because Calvin Klein has done something that’s really groundbreaking,” she told co-host Savannah Guthrie. “There’s not a lot of spots for us to fit in the fashion industry. They released the campaign with me right alongside all of the other girls of varying shapes and sizes, and didn’t make a fuss about it.” 

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Dalbesio is most proud of the fact that she has become an inspiration. “I don’t really have any reason to complain, but I’m getting these emails from 15-year-old girls in the middle of America that are saying, Thank you so much, I’ve never seen myself represented in this way before,” she said on Today.  

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For their part, the fashion brand never used the term “plus size” in relation to the campaign, instead concentrating on the women as a group. “The new Calvin Klein Underwear Perfectly Fit imagery features models Myla Dalbesio, Jourdan Dunn, Amanda Wellsh, Ji Hye Park, and the face of the brand, Lara Stone, in several styles,” a statement to Us Weekly reads. “The Perfectly Fit line was created to celebrate and cater to the needs of different women and these images are intended to communicate that our new line is more inclusive and available in several silhouettes in an extensive range of sizes.” 

What do you think about plus-size debate in the fashion industry? Tweet @UsWeekly using the hashtag #stylebyUs!

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