Italy’s most famous beauty contest is taking steps to combat sizeism. Miss Italia has opened the competition to girls up to a size 44 (UK 12, USA 10, Australia 14).
While many critics have pointed out a size 44 is still petite, the relaxed entry restrictions are meant to attract more contestants and represent a wider range of beauty.
For the 2011 Miss Italia contest, 260 size 44 girls have already registered to compete.
Patron of the competition, Patrizia Mirigliani, announced that the committee was pleased with the new entries because, like fashion designer Elena Mirò has already proved, beauty is not about measurements.
The new Miss Italia stance signals a return of praise for the classic beauty of Sophia Loren and Gina Lollobrigida.
