‘I want Muscle’ a film by Elisha Smith-Leverock Winner of the 2011 ASVOFF MK2 Grand Prix from Elisha Smith-Leverock on Vimeo.

Inspired by body diversity in the fashion industry, this short film by Elisha Smith-Leverock has become an instant hit in the Models Direct offices, and we’re not the only ones loving it.

Entitled ‘I want Muscle’, the film was awarded the Grand Prize at the 2011 A Shaded View of Fashion Film Festival, held at the Center Pompidou in Paris, and watching it, it’s easy to see why.

Presenting a glimpse into the world of British female bodybuilder Kizzy Vaines, the film not only plays with taboos and gender stereotypes, but it also explores a different kind of female beauty.

I Want Muscle was partly influenced by a presentation from body diversity campaigners Caryn Franklin and Debra Bourne of All Walks at a dinner hosted by The W Project.

Charmaine Ayden, also from All Walks, recently asked Elisha how Caryn and Debra’s speech inspired her to deal with the topic of beauty and diversity. “Often when you’re involved in the fashion industry, you’re not always aware of the issues that other people are fighting against,” she answered. “You frequently just accept the established ‘wrongs’ and become a part of a ‘fashion bubble’. So when Caryn and Debra were talking about their intentions for All Walks Beyond the Catwalk, and how they’re attempting to introduce different types of women and bodies into a very close-minded industry, it just stuck with me.

“There have been times when I’ve thought ‘well of course I could use a ‘different’ body-type for one of my fashion films’, but I haven’t entirely considered the implications that it has. For instance, many designers won’t consider lending garments to someone that isn’t a sample size, including a body-builder. The subjects that Caryn and Debra spoke about at The W Project dinner mulled around in my head along with some other catalysts, from that point the ideas just exploded into I Want Muscle.”

This film successfully breaks the traditional ideas of femininity in fashion by using imagery conventionally perceived as glamourous, sexy, soft and feminine, and juxtaposing it with displays of pure strength. Let’s hope I Want Muscle in turn influences more people into seeing beauty in a different light.