The sometimes curvy, sometimes slim, always gorgeous Crystal Renn. Despite the appearance of variation in size, each photo is from the same shoot.

Other than Crystal Renn’s smaller shape, the thing that stood out to us most upon going in for the closeup view on Vogue UK is that the models look like real women.

Allow us to explain: we don’t mean that in a “real women have curves” way (real women come in all kinds of shapes, including thin and curveless), but that real women have sharp bones, and freckles, and moles, and underarm folds of skin, and angles where these things can be more or less prominent, and any number of things which are normally Photoshopped away in a quest for the type of aspirational imagery that even the models who are the basis for the images can’t achieve in real life.

Hilary Rhoda's unairbrushed freckles and underarm skin folds. Beautiful.

We don’t highlight any of these things as a negative: even without being airbrushed into CGI quality illustrations, each of the girls has an aspirational quality that would make us buy what they’re selling. Knowing that industrial strength makeup, just the right lighting, and an unachievable body aren’t required to look good in a certain dress gives just enough reality to make us believe in the fantasy of the clothes.

Alexander McQueen Moves Forward

Goodbye Mr. McQueen, hello Ms. Burton. Long live McQueen.

Style.com covered the passing of Alexander McQueen and the showing of the final collection he designed, but something that was equally important this year was the success of Sarah Burtonâ€s first show as the new designer for the McQueen label. The passing of such a genius creative mind was indeed tragic, and the showing of McQueenâ€s last collection was a special moment, but Burtonâ€s signal that the brand can honor McQueenâ€s legacy while moving forward was absolutely stellar.

John Gallianoâ€s Dior Couture Wows

Dior haute couture was in full bloom this year when John Galliano showed his Spring 2011 collection of flower-inspired looks. The imagery and execution of the designs combined with the high, tulip-like hair of the models for a full package display of gorgeousness and perhaps our favorite moment in fashion of 2010.

This week, it was reported that Jean Paul Gaultierâ€s Spring 2011 runway show invitations promised a collection that would “explore the contrast between XXS and XXL.” The Gossip Lead Singer Beth Ditto, who is a reported size 26, opened the show, which also included size 10 Crystal Renn, who has become a Gaultier favorite over the past few years. {Fashionista}

The Renn we have seen lately is as gorgeous as ever, but debatable in terms of actually being full figured outside of the fashion world. Letâ€s put that aside though, since models who are anything but size 0 are still a rarity on the runway.

Fashionista points out that few critics mentioned the inclusion of Renn and Ditto in the show. Crystal Renn walked Gaultier’s runway years ago when she was heavier, and the designer has had a diverse cast of models. Variety isn’t anything new for the designer, but we think Gaultier himself should have followed the critics’ example.

By announcing in advance of the show, on the invitation, that everything from XXS to XXL will be included – as if it were some sort of novelty or main feature of the event – Gaultier only furthers the idea that bigger women are more spectacle/trend du jour than a real part of fashion. Because if it were completely normal to see women in a range of sizes in any given runway show, no one would mention it anywhere at all.

Since size 0 models are the current norm, perhaps it’s a necessary ploy to inform plus sized shoppers that Gaultier offers designer fashion options beyond a size 10.

If the designerâ€s goal was to make a statement about the widespread use of size 0 models exclusively, he would have done better to just put a size 26 model and a size 10 model in his show and shut up about it.  We applaud the action, but if more designers let women in a wider range of sizes walk the runway without saying a word of it, it could be the true start of a new norm.