Fat is the new thin?
April 14th 2008 01:29
The illusion of retouched beauty
Further proof that the media has the ability to pollute even the most pure of ideas, the Telegraph.co.uk is reporting that fashion magazines are now photoshopping under nourished models to look healthier on their covers.
Designed as a response to the controversy surrounding the negative body image supported by the industry, publications are now going to extremes by removing protruding hip bones, adding a few pounds here and there and doctoring faces to look fuller
Recently I did a post on the size 16 Miss Surrey UK winner Chloe Marshall, I had a positive response to rewarding an “average” shaped women instead of the stereotypical waif. This latest trend however is just as ridiculous as the support of the heroin chic look of the 90’s.
From the telegraph.co.uk
Belinda Coleman of the retouching agency Shoemakers Elves says "It is now deemed just as negative to be too thin as too fat. Everyone is scared of being highlighted as the magazine or label that promotes very thin girls, so they are being a lot more careful about the images they present."
Defending the action, Nicky Eaton head of press & PR for Conde Nast (GQ, Vogie, Glamour) said "There have been cases where models are booked way ahead of a shoot and then they turn up two months later looking less healthy and perhaps a bit underweight. We wouldn't be happy showing them that way, so it is then that we would need that person to look a little bit fuller."
The old cliché goes that “the camera adds 5 pounds” so I’m wondering how much weight these girls must lose between being hired and turning up in the studio for the shoot. Or, with what kind of frequency does this turn of events occur, considering that for years the standard was very much the other way.
Susan Ringwood the chief of the eating disorders charity beat sums up my opinion quite well "Altering models' bodies to appear fuller-figured proves that the industry acknowledges there is a serious issue with projecting images of very thin models, but [it is] missing the point," she said. "They should be using naturally healthy models in the first instance, instead of having to make them look that way."
Where will this all lead is anyone’s guess. The aim should be to achieve a balance between anorexic and obese, after all promoting eating disorders in either direction is a detrimental practice. One thing that is certain the “middle ground” is never easy for an industry notorious for over reacting to criticism.
| 94 |
| Vote |
Subscribe to this blog























Comment by Louie
Climate Forum
Climate Red
randomthoughts
Phil's Wellness Tips
Comment by Tyronne
Music Times
Sydney Fun
Melbourne DiaryStar
Comment by James Rickard
unlucky_ fishermen.com
Angling Fish
Comment by Morgan Bell
Deep Pencil
Current Business News
Movie Train
Artist Quirk
Comment by The wonderful Peter Yang
The wonderful Peter Yang's No.1 blog
Cheers
Comment by RubySoho
Music Zone
Thought Zone
Basically, they realise clothes look better on a hanger, so they want models that resemble hangers.
I think that's why they like really young model's too. No pesky butts and boobs to ruin the cut of their fabric. Oh, it's a whacky world alright.
Comment by Anonymous