Britain’s Next Top Model judge and fashion designer Julien MacDonald recently came under fire for negative comments towards plus-size models. “There were no plus-size models. This is a serious show… You can’t have a plus size girl winning—it makes it a joke,” he said of the television show. Now MacDonald is back tracking

clarifying his statement.

“I absolutely think that plus-size models stand a chance of having a long term modeling career… But as I have already said, in certain sectors of the industry they are in much less demand. In certain parts of the fashion industry samples are made in smaller sizes, therefore it is far more difficult for a plus-size model to be successful.”

The former creative director of Givenchy also commended fellow British designer Mark Fast, who has been heralded for using plus-size models in his latest shows: “There have been some great initiatives in the fashion industry to use plus-size models. And it is great that Mark Fast is challenging convention. I have always loved strong, sexy, empowered women who walk well.”

You know that you’re part of the minority when Karl Lagerfeld, who had consistently put down

plus-size

“round” women, featured size 12 model Crystal Renn in his 2011 resort show.