An Image of Beauty and Health

I read in the news that the organizers of a Madrid fashion show, the Pasarela Cibeles, have rejected models that were considered too thin and unhealthy looking. This is the first time any international fashion show has denied models work due to being too thin. When I initially read this, what flashed through my head was,"Model. Too thin. Does not compute. Does not compute!" But, sure enough, the article quotes the association as saying they wanted to project “an image of beauty and health”.  I was floored! Now, you might assume that this seems like a no-brainer and really shouldn't be hailed as a novel idea. But, for the twisted fashion world, this is a major breakthrough. It means they are finally accepting the fact that the majority of their target audience, (you know, the people who would actually buy the clothes and wear them), are not suffering from anorexia or striving to look like they are. Most confident and mentally healthy women do not find clothes draped over a gaunt walking skeleton as terribly flattering. Nor would we ever wear an outfit that's inspiration comes from starving children in Africa or concentration camp victims. 

Of course, it is not the majority of females that are the issue. We can easily shirk off and recognize such outrageous theatrics that comes from haute couture. I mean, when I look through Vogue's fashion layouts, I never aspire to looking like that. I would get fired if I showed at my job in a burnt orange taffeta suit, matched with cream leather high platform boots, my hair piled eight inches high atop my head in adorable tiny braids held perfectly in place with a stunning peacock feathered barrette. (I won't even go into the makeup!) No, most women functioning in the real world do not fall victim to such ridiculous theatrics. It is the impressionable, self-conscious and insecure teenager who revere these models and see the fashion industry as the authority on how they should look. As a result, they fall victim to this type of extremity. Anorexia is at an all time rise, and, as a mother and female, I blame the fashion industry. This is why I am so impressed by not just the fact that a major fashion show refused to use unhealthy models, but also that the media coverage is hailing it as a positive, forward thinking act. 

I have to applaud anytime an industry takes responsibility for the power and influence they have over young teens and stands up for what is right (they also refused to allow any type of makeup schemes that make the models look sickly or pale). And, with the proper media coverage, it might set a precedent which could have long term positive effects. Because, let's face it, the media is just as much to blame. It really burns me up when I see headlines that are bashing celebrities like Lindsey Lohen, Kate Moss and Nicole Richie for being too thin. The media attacks them as being icons and role models corrupting young girls, without considering that they are just as much the victims. Instead of beating these girls up (which no doubt highly contributed to their psychological state to begin with), the media should portray them as human beings who are obviously struggling under the weight of fame. They feel the most pressure to live up to these warped images expected of them because they are the icons and role models. 

Since I have two teen step daughters in addition to my own daughter, I find this kind of responsibility and social awareness very commendable and reassuring. Perhaps, with the positive publicity and applause being given for taking a stand, others in the industry will soon follow suit. Then maybe, just maybe, impressionable teens; my daughters, famous models and actresses alike, will realize anorexic body images are not images of beauty and health. That there is such a thing as being too thin.

Comments

[slackermommy]

All I can say is it's about time!