After Page 6 — in an article whose headline starts “Heavy Changes” — broke the news that edgy fashion magazine V would be devoting an issue to plus size models, several Web sites have not praised the magazine, but derided the move as a publicity stunt. The thinking goes, what are the chances V will continue to use larger models after this issue? It seems to some that the magazine is cashing in on the popularity of plus models in other magazines such as Glamour.

The V plus size issue January issue will feature uber-popular Crystal Renn, along with other plus-size models, both clothed and nude, says Page Six.

The article quotes V editor-in-chief Stephen Gan as saying, “Big, little, pint-size, plus-size — every body is beautiful. And this issue is out to prove it.”

But the folks at New York Magazine aren’t impressed. Calling the casting of plus-size models “a trend,” Amy Adell writes:

Like giving nonwhite models a fair shot at landing runway shows, ad campaigns, and editorials, casting plus-size models shouldn’t be so out there that it becomes an item to ooh and ahh over in “Page Six.” After all, plus-size models are really just normal-size people deemed “plus” by fashion’s extreme standards.

I have to admit: she has a point. If it’s a big deal to spotlight gorgeous women with attainable bodies, then America’s standards of beauty are at the very least a little screwed up.

Or a lot screwed up, as is the case with designer Karl Lagerfield: “No one wants to see curvy women. You’ve got fat mothers with their bags of chips sitting in front of the television and saying that thin models are ugly.”