Vogue Italia is beefing up its namesake site with three new subsections (two of which are definitely pushing some envelopes). First off, there's 'Vogue Black,' which focuses on black women in fashion--specifically those in front of the camera like mannequins and model-cum-TV host Tyra Banks--in much the same vein as the magazine's hugely successful 'all black' issue. And, in addition to a section called 'Vogue Talents'--which highlights young designers (including the not so fledgling Rodarte) from around the globe--there's 'Vogue Curvy.' As you might expect from the moniker, it's a new digital home for the plus size, curvaceous models who recently have experienced arguably the most mainstream exposure that those in the niche industry have ever had.

Considering the Daily Mail claims that looking (that's right, just looking) at curvaceous women can lead men to feel intoxicated, it seems Italian Vogue is playing its digital cards right. Yes, apparently a certain study has found that "seeing an hourglass figure activates the part of men's brains associated with feelings of 'reward' for men." In other words, a gander at Christine Hendricks, Beyonce, or better yet, plus-size models Crystal Renn or Lizzie Miller's voluptuousness is the equivalent of a dose of a dude's poison of choice. (If it sounds far-fetched, it probably is.)

That said, I have to echo The Cut in saying it's a bit disappointing that diversity and fuller body types seemingly always have to be viewed in categories separate from the rest of the fashion industry. "Is it not possible to have a fashion magazine that embraces women of all sizes and colors who wear young and established labels? Italian Vogue seems to think not." Even worse, (as seen here) apparently there is only one way to photograph a group of plus-size models: nude and entangled in one another. Sound familiar Glamour?