A Malaysian fashion critic and image consultant has caused major controversy after stating that people who weigh over 60 kg (which equates to just under 9 and a half stone) should not attend catwalk fashion shows.
In a now deleted post on her Facebook account, Zaihani Mohd Zain wrote that the presence of those who do not meet her 60 kilo criteria at fashion shows made others feel ‘awkward.’
‘If your weight is more than 60 kg, you don’t need to come because you will overflow to the chairs on your left and right,’ Zain wrote. ‘It’s so awkward and uncomfortable for the persons seated next to you!!!’ Her remarks came as Malaysian designers prepare to present their Hari Raya collections later this year.
Unsurprisingly, Zain’s inflammatory comments have caused widespread outrage on social media, with some major players in Malaysia’s fashion industry calling out the critic for fat-shaming.
‘What right does one have to criticise plus size people and telling them not to attend fashion shows,’ designer Calvin Thoo posted on Facebook. His sentiments were echoed in an Instagram post from fellow industry figure Datuk Tom Abang Saufi, who shared a selection of images showing fashion tastemakers of varying sizes sat next to each other on the front row. ‘Fashion royalty… sizes and weights NO ISSUE,’ she wrote.
She also addressed the fact that throughout her design career, her own weight had fluctuated, but that this had never proved a problem at events. ‘I’ve been many kilos different and done and attended many shows globally but never [has] weight been an issue,’ she added.
This is certainly not the first time that Zain has expressed controversial views on this subject. Speaking to Malaysian Tatler back in 2016, she said that those who enjoy fashion should watch their weight.
‘If you love fashion and enjoy dressing up, then there are sacrifices to be made,’ she told the magazine. ‘Watch your weight. People may say size doesn’t matter but who are we kidding?’