Malaysian fashion critic suggests those weighing more than 60kg should not attend catwalk shows
A high profile Malaysian fashion critic has raised heckles by suggesting that people weighing more than 60kg (9.4 stone) should not attend catwalk events.
Zaihani Mohd Zain, a well-known image consultant and stylist in Malaysia’s celebrity circles, commented on social media that people she considered plus-sized allowed their thighs to spill over onto the chairs next to them, reported the Malay Mail.
“It’s so awkward and uncomfortable for the persons seated next to you!” said Ms Zain, who is seen regularly on the front rows of fashion shows.
The post has since been removed, but not before her remarks prompted an immediate backlash on social media, including from major designers in the Malaysian fashion industry, who accused her of fat-shaming.
“What right does one have to criticise plus size people and telling them not to attend fashion shows?” said acclaimed designer Calvin Thoo on his Facebook page.
His colleague, Datuk Tom Abang Saufi, followed suit, uploading a collage of pictures on Instagram that showed influential fashion figures, all of varying sizes.
“Front row HEAVY WEIGHTS…fashion royalty…sizes and weights…NO ISSUE..,” she posted.
The Bornean designer also shared pictures of her own fluctuating weight. “I’ve been many kilos different and done and attended many shows globally but never weight been an issue,” she said.
Ms Zain’s latest comments were not the first expression of her contentious views on weight.
“If you love fashion and enjoy dressing up, then there are sacrifices to be made. Watch your weight. People may say size doesn’t matter but who are we kidding? It does!” she said in an earlier interview with Malaysia’s Tatler.
