Clementine Desseaux, a 27 year old French-born model is now the face of Christian Louboutin’s new lipstick campaign. You might take one look at Clementine’s picture and think “Of course, she’s beautiful!”, but there’s something revolutionary about the choice: this is the very first time Louboutin has ever employed a plus-size model as the face of a campaign.
Clementine currently lives in New York after leaving her home of Paris behind, where her size held her back from finding work there. She explained that “being curvy and freckly was never easy back when I was in France. Now beauty is changing and brands are putting girls that are different in the spotlight. They are opening up to all the beauty that is in the world.” Louboutin is a French brand, and Clementine thinks that “France has always been late in terms of diversity but this is one little step forward,” adding that she is “hoping that more little steps will follow.”
Though the fashion industry has a long way to go in terms of being inclusive to all shapes, sizes and looks, to have such a large name brand acknowledging the beauty in a woman that is not a size 0 or 2 (though there is aboslutely nothing wrong with those sizes!) affirms the beauty of larger women everywhere. Clementine believes this is not only a victory for women like her, though. She clarifies that it is a big step “not for curvy women, not for freckles, just for women” and we love the girl power in that sentiment. A small victory for one type of woman is a victory for all.
“The beauty norm is changing and differences that used to be weaknesses are now turning into strengths” Clementine states, and we can’t help but believe her. We’re in a time where Lara Stone is famous for the gap in her teeth, Winnie Harlow’s trademark is her unique skin condition, and now, Clementine is being praised for her freckles and curves. We love where the faces of the high fashion industry are headed.
Keep doing you, girl.