Faster by Mark Fast – Curves and the Catwalk

The cobwebbed rebel of London’s skinny cult, Mark Fast, moved towards feathery fringed skirts at the opening of London fashion week over the weekend. The premise of fringing threw in an attractive disparity onto the catwalk, as patent girdles contradicted Fast’s signature barely there knits.

The Canadian designer bases his knitwear on sculpting areas and tensions over the body, marking him as an ambassador for different body shapes. After famously insisting on using plus sized models for his runway last September, Mark has continued to cause commotion on the catwalk.

The bold move led to two members of his team walking out in protest, while the press coverage surrounding his decision has stimulated debates over self publicity. Fast’s creative director Amanda May retaliated to criticism by pinpointing the misconception that only slim women are represented in fashion.

While trying to combat this misconception, it seems that Fast has succeeded in sparking long term changes in the fashion industry, challenging restricting ideas about beauty by celebrating diversity. This shift in mood and attitude is pinpointed by recent initiative "All Walks Beyond The Catwalk," launched by the British Fashion Council in May 2009.

The project bases itself on the knowledge that the fashion industry is a powerful communicator, founded by the Chief Executive of eating disorder charity Beat. It is no surprise that Fast was elected as a designer for All Walks, reflecting on his own ethics when he writes, "All Walks is important because it demonstrates how the fashion world is taking the appreciation of all women seriously."