Harry
CibbuanoThe Skinny on those Skinny Models
September 18th 2006 00:37
Ok, sorry to get a bit off topic for this post but I just had to give a big hurrah out to the fashion world finally taking some steps towards curbing those atrociously thin models on the international catwalks. Fine some of those models may be genetically built to be like toothpicks, but several models have come out and publicly explained the lengths that they had to go to in order to maintain a skeletal figure. The really tragedy of the whole stick thin model look is the countless number of young girls and women who have been influenced by the media’s portrayal of beauty.
Within my tight circle of friends at high school (a group of about 15 girls and boys) there where 2 anorexics and 2 bulimics. It was harrowing to deal with these friends. We loved them to death and with no professional guidance we did the best we could. I remember myself and the rest of my friends always being somewhat in a bind as to what to say to our sick friends. We couldn’t tell them they looked good for fear it would egg them on, telling them they looked awful may just push them to loose further weight. I hindsight I really wish that our school offered some sort of guidance and support to the friends of those with eating disorders. We went through years of dodging certain topics, there were fights over what others had said and it eventually tore up friendships forever.
I really believe that this is going to be the beginning of a new era for female body image. I can still remember all those years back when the heroin chic look first came onto the scene. Was it Kate Moss? I can’t remember the pioneering model but I distinctly remember that fashion and body image took a drastic turn after those images of a sickly, smacked out junkie-esque model hit the scene. But enough is enough, I think the public has come to the realization that the super skinny look is not sustainable and is really hurting a generation of youngsters.
I think thin will stay around for sometime to come, but gradually there’ll be a shift to a healthier lean and toned look rather than skeletal. I’d like to see some more curvaceous, meaty hip on the fashion runways. I can’t stand the ‘jersey cow’ look that’s been prevalent due to this thin phenomenon - hip bones straining taut skin and sinking back into the abdomen. I wonder if body image is ever going to swing to the other end of the unhealthy body size spectrum?
Anyway, after years of initiatives, funding and programs to tackle the childhood obesity epidemic, I’m glad that eating disorders are also getting some serious media and industry attention. Being too skinny is just as detrimental and morbid as obesity.
Let me know what you guys and gals think of the new bans on skinny models? Fair, unfair and do you think it will have any effect preventing eating disorders in young children/adults?
Within my tight circle of friends at high school (a group of about 15 girls and boys) there where 2 anorexics and 2 bulimics. It was harrowing to deal with these friends. We loved them to death and with no professional guidance we did the best we could. I remember myself and the rest of my friends always being somewhat in a bind as to what to say to our sick friends. We couldn’t tell them they looked good for fear it would egg them on, telling them they looked awful may just push them to loose further weight. I hindsight I really wish that our school offered some sort of guidance and support to the friends of those with eating disorders. We went through years of dodging certain topics, there were fights over what others had said and it eventually tore up friendships forever.
I really believe that this is going to be the beginning of a new era for female body image. I can still remember all those years back when the heroin chic look first came onto the scene. Was it Kate Moss? I can’t remember the pioneering model but I distinctly remember that fashion and body image took a drastic turn after those images of a sickly, smacked out junkie-esque model hit the scene. But enough is enough, I think the public has come to the realization that the super skinny look is not sustainable and is really hurting a generation of youngsters.
I think thin will stay around for sometime to come, but gradually there’ll be a shift to a healthier lean and toned look rather than skeletal. I’d like to see some more curvaceous, meaty hip on the fashion runways. I can’t stand the ‘jersey cow’ look that’s been prevalent due to this thin phenomenon - hip bones straining taut skin and sinking back into the abdomen. I wonder if body image is ever going to swing to the other end of the unhealthy body size spectrum?
Anyway, after years of initiatives, funding and programs to tackle the childhood obesity epidemic, I’m glad that eating disorders are also getting some serious media and industry attention. Being too skinny is just as detrimental and morbid as obesity.
Let me know what you guys and gals think of the new bans on skinny models? Fair, unfair and do you think it will have any effect preventing eating disorders in young children/adults?
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Comment by Joy
Wow. I just contradicted myself three times. Eep.
Comment by Ruth
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Maybe the solution is for catwalks to start featuring a variety of body sizes in their shows. Beauty comes in all shapes and sizes so why not embrace that ideal rather than sticking to one extreme.
Comment by Joy
Comment by Ruth
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Comment by MichaelB
Diet Dog
From a male's point of view (which I will say upfront is totally shallow with this opinion) there is nothing to hold on to, and for those who like cleavage, the ultra skinny look is not a real eye opener...
Comment by fashionragtrade
Australia's new fashion commentator
being a designer myself i am tempted to use skinny models, but honesty i want my stuff for real women to wear. clothes should be made to look good on anyone and everyone.
praise the curvy gurls!!!
Comment by JessO
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Comment by squirrelspank
Societal Squirms
I don't think putting a certain legislated rule to the size of a runway model can stop girls putting a finger into their throats after a meal.
I believe that everyone has a responsibility to hold another's hand. Not everyone is lucky enough to have an "A-ha!" moment which makes them see how ridiculous it is to measure your day's worth by pinching the layer of pudge above your pants....
It took me years to get over the environment of high school, girlfriends bitching about another's waistline, and the working world's insecurities from my girlfriends (hence, constant new reinvention of boxes of liquid diets) - I took up running, I run when I'm stressed, I run when I feel I should be less slacko with my fitness, I run when I want to, I just run.
My mind gets calmer and I react better with a more holistic approach to living and eating.
I like what I see in the mirror today, not because I've reached a goal of "losing 10lbs in 2 weeks" but for a more concrete reason - I've conquered my own demons and I feel I have a responsibility to speak out.
That's my pence of thought.
Comment by Ruth
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I don't mean to offend anyone who is their natural body shape. I do think it is irresponsible of those who make a point pushing their bodies to an un-natural state and promote that image as stylish and cool.
The comments have been really constructive. Thanks for the input.
Comment by JessO
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Comment by Anonymous