Milan Fashion Week opens with Plus Size Fashion

Sept. 20th - Instead of the usual stick insect thin models normally seen in top venues, women in Milan got a treat yesterday by having real sized women open the Milan Fashion Week.

The must-attend Milan event for spring/summer 2009 fashion opened with the plus-size collection by Elena Miro, specifically designed for women of average size and larger.

Miro's theme was garden party, with floral prints of camellia, forget-me-not and peony.

Silk dresses fluttered gracefully below the knees; chiffon blouses, which slipped down to reveal bared shoulders, were teamed with bell-bottom trousers; and short-jackets and bustiers added finishing touches to many outfits.

Accessories included gold clutch bags and jewellery, much of which was bigger and 'clunky'.

Miro's dresses (photos copyright Reuters, EPA & the Telegraph)