IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser.

Size-10 model defends Calvin Klein in 'plus size' controversy

A size-10 Calvin Klein underwear model said Tuesday on TODAY that it's "unfortunate" the company has received any criticism for its "groundbreaking" ad campaign, which never referred to her as "plus size."Myla Dalbesio is the new face (and body) of the "Perfectly Fit" underwear campaign released a month ago by Calvin Klein. Though the company has never described Dalbesio as "plus size," Twitter us

A size-10 Calvin Klein underwear model said Tuesday on TODAY that it's "unfortunate" the company has received any criticism for its "groundbreaking" ad campaign, which never referred to her as "plus size."

Myla Dalbesio is the new face (and body) of the "Perfectly Fit" underwear campaign released a month ago by Calvin Klein. Though the company has never described Dalbesio as "plus size," Twitter users recently criticized them for doing just that on the basis of an Elle magazine article in which Dalbesio was referred to as "what the fashion industry would—still, surprisingly—call 'plus size.'" 

In the wake of a controversial Victoria's Secret campaign involving the phrase "Perfect Body," an online debate erupted over just what constitutes "plus size."

"I think it's really unfortunate, because I think that Calvin Klein has done something that's really groundbreaking, which is they released this campaign with what some would say is a normal-sized model, a size 10. And size 10 girls, there's not a lot of spots for us to fit in in the fashion industry,'' Dalbesio told Savannah Guthrie Tuesday. "They released this campaign with me right alongside all of the other girls of varying shapes and sizes, and didn't make a fuss about it." 

More from Dalbesio: 

  • On feedback about the ad campaign: "I don't really have any reason to complain, but I'm getting these emails from 15-year-old girls in the middle of America that are saying, 'Thank you so much, I've never seen myself represented in this way before.'''
  • On being in the center of the debate: "I had been hoping for a long time that someone would start this, that someone would talk about this, that things might change for girls that are shaped like me in the fashion industry and beyond."

Follow TODAY.com writer Scott Stump on Twitter and Google+