Fashion industry bans skinny models

Recently, a fashion show in Madrid banned “overly skinny” models or those with BMIs of less than 18.5. I have a problem with this ban, in that I believe models should represent ALL sizes, from underweight to obese. There are women of all sizes in the world who purchase clothing, and how are they supposed to judge how something would look on them when the model is not representative of their shape. Different styles look different on different shapes and sizes. I think they should show what flatters each shape.

I am tired of the fashion industry dictating to women what shape is beautiful. We do not live in a “one-size-fits-all” world. The fashion industry is just that: the fashion industry. Leave health matters and weight issues to the medical and counseling professionals.

This issue is a personal one for me in that at 32 years old, my BMI is still under 18.5, and I have never been anorexic, bulimic, or amenhorrhic. I am perfectly healthy, this is just how I am built. I shouldn’t be made to feel like a freak because of my shape. As well, no healthy person with a BMI greater than 25 (considered to be overweight) should be made to feel like a freak either. If one is healthy and in good physical fitness, what the he!! does it matter????

Aside: I will admit that the picture of the model’s back is pretty creepy-skinny, but I probably looked the same way when I was 18.

Okay, I am officially off my soapbox, and the floor is open for comments.

http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/europe/09 ... index.html

[Vanquisher]

Well, while I do think that you have a point grasshopper; I don't think the modeling industry is in any danger of underrepresenting underweight women. Most women are not underweight, and a good percentage of those who are underweight are not healthy, and I don't think it is right to promote this type of body shape. I almost have a very hard time beleiving that anyone could be very healthy with THAT low of a BMI.

I do think it is okay to have plussized models, however, because I think there are more women and girls out there who could benefit from seeing women who look like them on the covers of magazines. It would not necessarily something to strive for, but as something to reshape the self-esteem of American women in general.

The average woman is 5'4" tall and a size 14, whereas clothes are tailored and made for women who are 5'10" and a size 4-6. I hardly think that represents the middle or the mainstream. I do think that we should have models of every body type, but I don't think it is healthy to promote a BMI of less than 18.5, just as I don't think many people want to see models with a BMI of 40. I would like to see clothing expanded to meet the needs of all women.

I am currently a size 18, and I can't shop in most stores. That's what you get for being chunky and tall. How often do you see that?

Vanquisher/Heidi:

I guess I should clarify my point. I also do not think underweight models should be "promoted", per se. You are right in your assessment in that there are too many of them, and this leads people to believe that this shape is the ideal. I think that more plus-sized models should be used, as well. I think that if more models of ALL sizes are used, the less en vogue the skinny ones would be. It would probably reduce the allure of being thin, and thus reduce eating disorders.

As well, I think if models who represent all sizes are used, then clothing that is designed for a myriad of sizes would be more prevalent. Maybe they would start using some material for heaven's sake!!! Who the heck wears all that half-naked clothing anyway??? I would be sitting in either a jail cell or a mental institution now if I wandered about town in some of those creations

[Amiens]

Cybill Shephard was on the Today show, and she commented on how models have gone from being "healthy looking" in the days of Cheryl Tiegs, Christie Brinkley to these stick, sickly, sunken hollow-eyed girls.

I love Dove's new campaign for real beauty- showing real women using their products- everyone from the young with perfect skin to the mom with a C-section scar and stretch marks to the woman in her 50s with wrinkly skin- there is every type of beautiful.

Unfortunately it is the casting people for the ads that go for the stick thin.

[houseelf]

I have a bigger problem with the over-the-top airbrushing. I mean, a litte tweaking here and there, completely alright. On the other extreme, some of these photos are so doctored they look like the photographer was docked on MIR. They don't look like women anymore.

Not only are women suppossed to look like we forgot to eat last year, apparently we're all suppossed to strive for an unattainable ideal of plasticism. (made up word).

Kelly

[Amiens]

I have a bigger problem with the over-the-top airbrushing. I mean, a litte tweaking here and there, completely alright. On the other extreme, some of these photos are so doctored they look like the photographer was docked on MIR. They don't look like women anymore.

Not only are women suppossed to look like we forgot to eat last year, apparently we're all suppossed to strive for an unattainable ideal of plasticism. (made up word).

Kelly

I am with you on that one. A while back there was a magazine cover with Kate Winslet, and they airbrushed her thighs and other areas so much that she even said she didn't recognize herself. Ms. Winslet even went on the news to say that she doesn't condone that and loves her curvy body- at the time she just had a baby.

[Rapunzel]

Oh

My

Goodness!

Photo "retouching" can completely alter a person's features!

In the following site by a celebrity portrait artist you will see women who look, well, perfect looking like their normal "before" selves. And, it is shocking. Boobs are enhanced (as are butts). Tummies are digitally tucked. Wrinkles erased. Cottage cheese thighs (and, apparently even swimsuit models have those!) gone - Buh-bye! It's insane!!!

Check it out:


http://www.glennferon.com/portfolio1/index.html


Just click on a picture in the gallery and roll your mouse over the portrait to see the before and after shots!!! Can you guess some of the celebrities?

[Rapunzel]

Particularly dramatic ones (after the portrait loads run your mouse over the pic to see the 'before'):


Watch the age change and the tattoos erased:

http://www.glennferon.com/portfolio1/portfolio37.html

Watch her butt and boobs be digitally enhanced:

http://www.glennferon.com/portfolio1/portfolio02.html

Goodbye cottage cheese thighs:

http://www.glennferon.com/portfolio1/portfolio15.html

From tired looking with crunchy hair to perfectly gorgeous:

http://www.glennferon.com/portfolio1/portfolio39.html

The entire situation is out of hand IMO....I modelled through university and was lucky enough to land a contract with Ford. Worst thing that could have happened to me. I was 5'9.5 and weighed a very unhealthy 125 pounds, I was harassed every single week about my weight being too high. Two things happened at the end of my year contract

1. A lot of self esteem issues and eating problems (which took me 3 years to correct)

2. I quit! I had a 2 yo and 3 yo at home and I couldn't even play with them, I was too tired and too unhealthy.

I know very few heathly models (truly, not what they say/show on the outside) and if we had a daughter I would be very careful.

Personally I think that decreasing the super skinny models is a good idea, but think that adding more (a lot more) larger models is a better idea. If you ask 100 young teenage girls to describe the perfect female shape/size I think we all know what the answer would be...it's not a szie 14 even though that is what most people are! We start our females off by telling htem through magazines and movies that they are inadequate from the get go....pretty sad!

[Sheherezade]

Why can't we shoot for a size 8? I don't get why it has to be all size 0 models and plus size (12-18ish) models. Where is the middle ground?

It seems we are becoming a nation of extremes. Wasn't it the classic goal - long ago - to be a size 6? Now, it's all about the size 0. I think that the average size 14 may be "real", but it's also real that the U.S. has too many overweight people. I'm not sure that loading up the system with size 16s is going to change the culture's idea of beauty. I don't see why we can't return to a more normal female physique, though. The movie stars of the 40s and 50s seem kind of "average" to me. The 60s went super skinny with Twiggy - then we beefed up again in the 80s (not that I consider Cheryl Tiegs and Elle beefy ). In the 90s, heroin chic came back....and the size 0 has stuck around.

I say, let's get some average shapes out there again. I'm not sure a ban is necessary for that - I think the spinning wheel of "fashion" will take care of the change on its own.

[SuzySunshine]

The problem with looking at thing by sizes is that they all suck - none of them are the same! I have always been about the same size since I was in high school. I can wear a 2 in one store and have to wear a 6 in another. I don't mind the numbers its just frustrating to shop!

Set some universal sizes and then strive for everyone to be a size X!

I agree that we need an in between size model. How are we supposed to know if the outfit will look good on us if we see it on someone thta is either super skinny or "big".
Plus, I am a size 12 and the "size 12 models" don't look like me...are they short or something? 'cuz I am 5'9'' and I am pretty sure I don't look as big as some of them...so yeah...where are the "in between models"?

[Stella]

In my perfect world, I would do away with the sack-of-bones models with huge tits and super thick sexy hair (a la Victoria's Secret.) However, I don't think adding too many "average" models (by today's averages anyway) is a great idea because the current average isn't all that healthy. You can throw stones if you want, but I'd rather see someone like me (Size 2-4 with small boobs and a HUGE ass...lol) or the size 6 of old. How about women of different heights? Sizes fluctuate a LOT when you change the height of a woman. Anyway, the worst thing to me is the airbrushing. Thank you for posting that link because I now feel better about the creases in my back when I turn to the side, the cottage cheese on my hips and butt, and my kneecaps (yes, I have a wierd thing about those.)

Still... I wouldn't mind having a picture of me airbrushed like that. It would be fun to have.