Plus-size Models and the Zim Fashion Industry

This year, from the 24th to the 29th of August, Zimbabwe will co-host the United Nations World Tourism Organisation General Assembly, together with Zambia. The huge event will take place in the majestic Victoria Falls.
Among the many events that will be taking place is a fashion show featuring Zimbabwe's talented fashion designers and models.

I got an e-mail today from my agent informing me about a model-casting for plus-size models that was taking place at Crown Plaza today for the Vic Falls fashion show.
I attended with confidence and excitement. There were only three plus-size models (including me) and i knew my chances of making it were very high. My excitement was, however, short-lived as the fashion designers had no clue that it was a model call for plus-sizes. Apparently they didn't know and were actually surprised. Most of their clothes are sizes 6 to 10.
One of them had to ask "why plus-size models?" which i think was an inappropriate question to ask. She went on to say that she has never done anything for plus size models before and that she has "maybe one or two size 12s".
It came as a shock to me! How can a fashion designer not know that there are plus-size models? How can one make clothes for slender women only when almost half the population is overweight? How are you going to make money doing what you love (designing) if you cater only for a certain kind of people?
People in the fashion industry need to realise that beauty is not measured by the inches on someone's waist, especially in the modelling industry. As long as someone has the it-factor, knows what they are doing and doing it well, then they qualify. It's time that the fashion industry wakes up and sees that times have changed. Gone are the days when girls had to force fingures down their throats after meals just so they can stay thin and keep their modelling jobs. Plus-size models are rocking the runways now and making it to magazine covers. The industry must promote plus-size models and give them a platform where they can be seen and change the way people look at fashion. After all, fashion is not defined as the weight/height of a person, but rather as popular trend, especially in styles of dress, ornament, or behavior.