In recent months a slew of magazines have featured less idealized images of beauty, running editorials or entire issues dedicated to non-retouched models and/or plus-size mannequins. V did it and so did Glamour. More than one non-American mag has gone the no-retouching route, including Australian rag Dolly, which debuted a retouch-free issue last June, and French Elle’, with a makeup and photoshop-free installation in May of 2009. Harper’s Bazaar did a hefty shoot last year that featured supes like Cindy Crawford sans digital enhancement too. Now it’s France’s turn.

French Elle has devoted its magazine this month to curvy mannequins. Plus-size model Tara Lynn graces its cover and 20 pages within its April issue. Meanwhile, French Marie Claire’s latest installment will feature a magazine entirely void of retouching, save for its advertisements. There’s no denying that magazines taking part in the trend is partly a result of novelty fascination. That said, in an industry that’s become increasingly homogeneous with regard to its ideals of beauty, it’s a welcomed change. Now the only question is: when will a more ethnically diverse approach to casting models become as trendy a bandwagon to board?