Not so long ago, Gigi Hadid walked down a Tommy Hilfiger catwalk show in an oversized leather poncho. While it turned out to be the collection’s bestseller, Hilfiger has recently revealed that Hadid was forced to cover up because she wasn’t “quite as thin” as the other models. Sigh.

Speaking to Yahoo Style’s Joe Zee, the 65-year-old designer commented: “Our casting director said, ‘She doesn’t really fit because you know she’s not quite as tall as the other girls, she’s not quite as thin.’”

While Hilfiger’s comments have sparked controversy, Hadid has spoken out this week to defend the designer. Speaking to Access Hollywood the model said: "It's funny because people think that it's something that I wasn't aware of.

“I know that when Tommy said it last week, it was in context of a larger story...The point of that story was that Tommy was rooting for me and … regardless of what the stylist of that season said or what he put me in, Tommy wanted me in the show. Tommy was pushing for me and Tommy loved my curves.”

In a follow-up interview with Page Six, Hilfiger praised the model’s figure and clarified his comments. He said: “The casting people put Gigi in the poncho, and I was not happy. I was saying, ‘Don’t hide her body.’ Even though the poncho ended up being the best-selling piece, I was very unhappy. The suggestion that I thought she wasn’t thin enough upsets me to no end. Gigi is the epitome of perfection.” 

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It’s not the first time the model has had to speak out to defend her figure. Last year she penned an open letter on Instagram, addressing the issue and slamming her body shamers.

“No, I don’t have the same body type as the other models in shows. No, I don’t think I’m the best at any given show...Yes I have boobs, I have abs, I have a butt, I have thighs, but I’m not asking for special treatment. Your mean comments don’t make me want to change my body, they don’t make me want to say no to the designers that ask me to be in their shows and they definitely don’t change the designers opinions of me,” she said.

Only a matter of weeks later, Hadid was criticised again by model – and Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show regular – Blanca Padilla, who suggested her social media success was a contributing factor in her flourishing modelling career. Speaking on Spanish show Al Rincón she said: “I don’t have a problem with the fact that you’re a curvy girl on the runway, I support that. But if it was me with your same measurements going to a casting they would send me home to lose weight.

“Most of us have to conform to extreme measurements because otherwise we won’t book any jobs while others have the privilege to say that designers love them despite their curves. Well then, why do they love you? Maybe your millions of followers on Instagram might have something to do with it as well.”

While it might not be what Hilfiger has in mind for his next show, we’re pretty sure Gigi could walk the runway in a bin bag and still look fab.