Atypical mannequins, torchbearers of all body types<

(Paris) They have a physique or an age that does not correspond to the criteria in force in modeling. And yet, they walk the catwalks and pose for fashion photographers. These models are the torchbearers of "body positive", a movement that promotes the appreciation of all types of human body.

“Who said that a perfect body is a body that is a size 34-36? The creators ? But according to what dictates? smiles Caroline Ida Ours, a 61-year-old model with long silver hair, who poses and parades in particular for lingerie brands. “I do size 44. Each body is unique and that's what makes it beautiful”.

“We all have a different body from that of the others”, abounds David Venkatapen, 46, model for eight years within the PLUS agency. He calls himself "big". “I have no problem with the word. Everyone uses the one that suits them: big, strong, corpulent, plus size, etc. ".

“Visibility is good. I think of other fat guys, younger or older, who don't feel good about themselves. Seeing someone who looks like them or who has a different physique can give them confidence,” he says.

Valérie Hirschfield, 57, lost her leg 17 years ago. She parades and poses for photos, because she wants to “change minds”. "It's important to show us", to encourage those who "live badly (their physical handicap) and hide".

“I was wearing shorts, I continue to wear shorts. I put on a swimsuit, ”says this blonde woman, who practices “stair running”, competitions – climbing the Montparnasse tower for example – where she is often the only disabled person.

Jérémie Antoine, 26, 1 min 55 s, wants to become "the first small black model". “For a man, in the world of fashion, you have to be tall, muscular, lean. I do not meet any of the criteria, ”says the young man. But “it is we who wear the clothes”.

"When we see models like everyone else, image level, self-esteem, it will really help," he adds.

The "body positive" movement, long marginal in France - compared to Germany, England or the United States - is attracting more and more attention from brands, notes Georgia Stein, model and founder of The All Sizes Catwalk (podium for all sizes) which has been organizing the parade of atypical models for three years.

The “body positive” is “a movement for oneself and for others”, which makes it possible to “fight against prejudices” and “to accept the vagaries of life”.

When she parades or poses in front of photographers' lenses, Caroline Ida Ours “goes with her head held high”. “I take all the women over 50 with me to show that we are here, that we exist”. And “young women say 'thank you, we're not afraid of aging thanks to you'”.