Designer Julien Macdonald attacks plus-size models, branding them 'a joke'

Controversial: Fashion designer Julien Macdonald, a judge on Britain's Next Top Model, has branded plus-size models 'ridiculous'

Designer Julien Macdonald attacks plus-size models, branding them 'a joke'. For a man who designs dresses up to a size 20, it is a plus-sized own goal.

Welsh designer Julien Macdonald, a judge on reality TV show Britain's Next Top Model, has branded larger models - bigger than the usual size six or eight - 'a joke'.

Macdonald, who has an OBE for services to fashion, told Wales on Sunday in an interview: 'This is a serious show. A catwalk model is a size six to eight.

'You can’t have a plus size girl winning – it makes it a joke.'

The cutting comments come in a bid to vamp up the new series, sponsored by Italian Vogue, as former presenter Lisa Snowdon is being replaced by Australian supermodel Elle MacPherson.

Although Macdonald's remarks will no doubt boost interest in the Living TV show, they are sure to cause a stir among campaigners keen to see variety on the catwalk.

Several designers and high fashion magazines have begun to use curvier models as the size zero debate continues to dominate headlines since the British Fashion Council's Model Health Enquiry in 2007 was launched in response to concerns about the health of models on the catwalks at London Fashion Week.

High end fashion label Chanel used plus-sized supermodel Crystal Renn in their most recent show alongside Georgia May Jagger and High Street chain Mango featured her in their 2007 campaign.

The size 16 American spoke out against the designer's stance, claiming models should not be categorised according to weight.

Renn compares the runaway to the streets, and insists there should be a variety of women representing all shapes and sizes.

Generating buzz: Macdonald, pictured in 2008 during London Fashion Week, thinks catwalk models should be no bigger than size eight

She told The Independent: 'The fashion world needs to change. Women on the street don't relate to all this talk of plus sizes, and it creates an "us and them" mentality, which leads to comments like the ones Julien Macdonald has made.'

In a letter to designers last year, British Vogue editor Alexandra Shulman urged designers to increase sample sizes to prevent them from hiring models with 'jutting bones and no breasts or hips'.

But Macdonald, ex-creative director for Givenchy, is unimpressed with the move towards using larger girls in campaigns, claiming the reality of the industry will take its toll on any model over size eight.

He said: 'It’s not fair on them – you’re setting them up for a fall – I know what would happen to them afterwards,' he said.

Backlash: Plus-size supermodel Crystal Renn, who recently modelled for Chanel, left, has spoken out against Macdonald, claiming not all designers agree with him

'They are looked down on, they’re frowned upon.If you’re a size 14 in a room full of size eights – you’re in the wrong room.'

No doubt voluptuous former Victoria's Secret model Tyra Banks, who presents the U.S. version of the show, crowning a size 16 girl winner in a previous series, will disagree.

She told the audience on her daytime show: 'You do not have to be super stick skinny in order to model.'

In January this year, Banks launched a plus-sized competition to 'challenge the perception of beauty.'

She invited girls between the ages of 13 and 19 to enter who had to be minimum size 12.

Reigniting the debate: Macdonald, who uses ultra-thin models in his shows (pictured) insists plus-size models are set up for a fall as the industry favours smaller sizes ( dailymail.co.uk )