Muscular Swedish man ‘too big’ to be model

The latest episode of the Swedish version of Top Model caused quite a stir on Thursday night when model Kevin Triguero Montero was told that he was too muscular to be a model. He has since spoken out to criticize the fashion industry, which he thinks should acknowledge that the beauty ideals for male models are dangerous.

"To them you're just a clothes hanger," he told The Local. "The models are judged on how thin they are, which means that the fashion industry doesn't care about your personality."

Triguero Montero works as a personal trainer and he said that female clients who work as models often tell him they are forced to lose a certain amount of weight just to get a job in the industry.

He would prefer that the fashion industry hails a healthy physique. 

"It's so sad to see that it's being looked down upon," he said. "And that affects how young people see themselves."

IN PICTURES: Triguero Montero's images from season seven of Top Model

Apart from the psychological pressure, it could affect physical well being, he said.

"We're going to live for many years to come and our body is our temple. We have to take care of it," said Triguero Montero who regularly posts information about his work-outs on his TV3 blog.

The fashion designers must take charge to change attitudes, he reckoned. He believes many designer want to hire thin models so that their bodies don't take the focus away from the clothes on the catwalk.

But Triguero Montero believes healthy bodies on the runway would have the opposite effect.  

"I want to see self-confident models who live a healthy life," he said. "I think that's going to make you want to buy the clothes that they wear even more."

Anders Sjölin