I first came across Beth Ditto last summer when I was at the London College of Fashion doing a short course in fashion journalism. She was featured in a POP spread, which is an edgy British fashion mag edited by the extraordinary Katie Grand. It is the kind of magazine where the pages are so beautiful that you want to rip out every one and frame it. I was struck by the ugly beauty of Beth Ditto in these photos, where the lead singer of Gossip wears YSL, Marc Jacobs and Mulberry clothes that had to be specially made for the quirky size 20 model.
Since her debut in POP, Ditto has become a fashion icon in Britain, hounded by the paparazzi at fashion week as people attempt to capture her coveted look.
She is allegedly best friends with Kate Moss, and designers are falling over themselves to create dresses and looks especially for her. Ditto has recently agreed to design her own line of clothing for British plus-size retail chain Evans, after turning down an offer from fashion giant Topshop because they do not cater to fuller figured women. Hailing herself as a size hero not a size zero, the"fatshionista" blames gay men for making women feel like they need to be thin. Ditto argues that the fashion industry is dominated by men who want women to look like perfect dolls that they can dress up, rather than real people. She makes a good point, but Ditto has sparked yet another debate about healthy body images. When googling Beth Ditto's name, the words "disgusting" and "ugly" were most frequently associated with her. But it is precisely this ugliness that is what appeals to designers...she is one of kind, a real life ugly betty that allows the world to see a different kind of beauty than what we are spoon-fed every day.
How long will this fascination last? Sadly I don't think that plus-size goth lesbian sheek is here to stay, Ditto is probably just another passing fad in the fickle fashion world.
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