By Hayley Wilbur From Mashable

The only plus-size models shown in any major September fashion mags were in ads.

The Huffington Post recently dug through seven September issues of the biggest fashion publications: (Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, W, Elle, Marie Claire, InStyle and Cosmopolitan) and found zero plus-size models in any of its editorials. It was a clear message: Plus-size still isn’t en vogue. Literally.

The September issue of Vogue, the publication’s biggest yearly edition, has a whopping 832 pages. The only two pages that included any women who were more than sample size comprised a curious advertisement. “It’s time for change,” the ad pleaded along with its hashtag, #PlusIsEqual.

The two pages were surreptitious and vague, albeit beautiful. Was it from a major brand? A message to promote body conscious conversations?

Websites speculated it was a Lane Bryant advertisement, featuring models Ashley Graham, Danielle Redman, Inga Eiriksdottir, Julie Henderson and Marquita Pring. These women are currently associated with a group called ALDA, a collective aiming to alter perceptions and empower women.

Lane Bryant has done a similar social media campaign in the past with many of these models, featuring the hashtag #ImNoAngel, a not so subtle jab at Victoria’s Secret Angels.

Plusisequal says it needs a minimum 500 supporters to guarantee the campaign “goes big.” Visitors can join the campaign and share prepackaged sound bites that will all go live on Sept. 14 at the same time. For instance, “67% of US women are size 14-34. Shouldn’t they be equally represented in the media, too?”

While many might see the ad as just two pages, others in the industry applaud a huge success.

“It is an advertisement, but it is still an achievement, and it should be seen as one,” says Jenny McQuaile, director of Straight/Curve, a documentary she filmed by speaking with many plus-size models, editors and photographers. “There was a time when you wouldn’t dream of even seeing a plus-size model in an ad in the September issue of Vogue.

“What makes anyone think an editorial isn’t going to follow?” Jessica Lewis, producer of Straight/Curve and former model of plus and straight clothing, tells Mashable.

This might be a positive stride but the lack of any plus-size models in other September issues shows how far we have to come. “It’s time we see more women on the pages of these magazines, in editorials, that are representative of two-thirds of women out there,” says McQuaile. “We are making strides, but we still have a ways to go.”

The #Plusisequal Vogue campaign started the conversation and led many to tweet their support.

IMAGES:
The women of ALDA, an organization that aims to expand the fashion industry’s narrow standard of beauty. IMAGE: ALDA
Screen Shot 2015-08-26 at 3.28.49 PM IMAGE: LANE BRYANT
Screen Shot 2015-08-26 at 3.50.45 PM IMAGE: SIZE IS EQUAL

For more on this story go to: http://mashable.com/2015/08/29/plus-size-fashion/?utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Mashable+%28Mashable%29&utm_cid=Mash-Prod-RSS-Feedburner-All-Partial&utm_medium=feed&utm_source=feedburner&utm_content=Google+Feedfetcher