Opinion: Hot Mama

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Attention, all you fashionistas: Marge Simpson is smokin’. If you don’t believe me, take a look at the brilliant spreads in the August edition of Harper’s Bazaar. Tucked in between photos of standard pouty models and some Jessica Simpson glam shots, “The Simpsons go to Paris” showcases the infamous cartoon family traipsing through Europe bedecked in yards of haute couture.

While it’s formatted like your standard photoshoot, each page offers up new wonders. In one scene, Homer scrounges for change in the background while Linda Evangelista, Bart Simpson’s favorite (real-life) supermodel, fastens an Alber Elbaz necklace around a delighted Lisa’s neck. In another, twins Patty and Selma participate in the notorious Viktor & Rolf photoshoot, outfits complete with spotlights and scaffolding. In my personal favorite, Marge lounges in Versace and lets her hair down, unafraid of showing off her curves.

That’s quite a contrast to most of the two-dimensional or plastic women out there — from retro Betty Boop to trashy Bratz — whose dimensions are often realized in the entertainment industry. The tide may be turning, however: Spain’s establishment of a minimum Body Mass Index may have embarrassed the American industry, though it didn’t cow them into setting their own standards. While America’s Next Top Model is still the model for the small screen, shows like Mo’Nique’s Fat Chance have made a splash.

Body image isn’t getting a makeover, though — more of a frenzied touch up. In fact, in less cosmetic arenas, fat is being further stigmatized. Some insurance companies are charging workers more if they’re overweight, and a recent study in the New England Journal of Medicine warned of the contagious nature of obesity. Skinny still reigns supreme, whether in plastic, on paper or in the flesh.

Harper’s statement, then, is an interesting one. As these spreads dress up womanly figures — Patty and Selma’s ankles are bared in all their chubby glory — they reject the standard vamp silhouette. Granted, Linda E.’s two-dimensional avatar remains as slim as her real self, but middle-aged Marge proves to be just as glamorous.

Don’t expect to catch plus-sizes on the cover of Vogue anytime soon, illustrated or otherwise. While the Simpsons spreads were a breath of fresh air, change ain’t coming if it takes an imaginary character to combat unrealistic body images. All the same, it’s nice to see toons imitate life for once — and come out looking damn good, too.