Modeling Agency Uses Women of Believeable Sizes

The Ben Barry Modeling Agency is carving out a place among fashionistas, promoting the odd notion of using models who resemble the people who might be buying clothing and other products.

It's an idea that's right on time. We're deluged with television "reality shows" that obviously have little to do with reality. The Ben Barry Agency is offering its clients a way to let potential customers see genuine reality in the form of models of all shapes, sizes, ages, skin tones, and freckle counts.

Found and president Ben Barry is on something of a crusade. But he has hard, experiential evidence that fuels his desire to promote more normal-looking models. I think his account of interacting with models at fashion shows is worth reading to understand just what kind of pressure exists.

• Ben Barry takes you behind the fashion show scenes
• Marajoara agency pioneered using real-sized models at fashion shows