FASHION WORLD RAVAGES SKINNY MODELS
Tipping the scales in defense of skinny fashion models

by Sonja Andic

(I am curious about your opinions on the state of skinny. So once you have read my skinny model rant I would love for you to give me your thoughts...)

When you get on a bathroom scale or open a fashion magazine do you ever compare your own body to the lean fashion model on the front cover or to your favorite celebrity actor? The pressure to be thin in western culture is something many women and men can’t deny and hate to admit. Have you ever found yourself blaming Kate Moss for creating an ideal body image that most of us will never achieve in our lifetime?

At the end of the day, when we fail to achieve our goals, there is a tendency to lay blame somewhere. It is human nature.

The international fashion debate over model weight and welfare has been raging for over a year now and the question remains: Why are models attacked for being too skinny? Why do they get the brunt of the blame? The ‘scales’ of justice seem unfairly tipped against the fashion model.

Fashion historian Valerie Steele was recently quoted in New York magazine’s fashion edition as saying, “As everyone is blimping up, we’re idealizing thinness.” She wonders if the focus on models' weight is not a reverse attack as a result of the obesity crisis facing developed nations.

Not only is the obesity issue shining a reverse spotlight on models, but celebrity culture is also creating a focus on the issue of extreme thinness. Every celebrity magazine on the planet is stripping away the skin of some movie star to expose her eating habits, her thinness, and her downward spiral of weight loss. Sure fashion models and movie stars both appear to have glamourous lifestyles, but they are not the same breed when it comes to the type of work they do. Models get paid to model clothes; actors get paid to act. An actor’s decision to be thin in order to attract publicity or get work is motivated by something personal, rather than genetic.

Chances are, she was born like that

Many models are genetically tall and thin. This is something beyond their control. They are just born that way; all lanky arms and legs, giraffe necks, high cheek bones and jutting hip bones. Another thing some people slinging stones don’t understand is that most models start their career when they are as young as 14. Of course it takes no effort at that age to look thin and lanky. Most of them don’t even have breasts or hips yet.

Besides their genetic disposition, working an international fashion week will make anyone lose weight. The pace of most fashion weeks is fevered. I have experienced the pace of fashion week here in Toronto many times and missed many a meal just to be able to see as many fashion shows in a day as I can. A busy model may be at her first clothing fitting at 6:30 a.m. and have several during a day nonstop! Couple that with being in dozens of runways shows in just days...you may look exhausted and emaciated too!

Sure fashion models are skinny – it’s their job to be skinny. No one criticizes ballet dancers for being thin. They just are. Fashion models need to be tall and thin to fit in the designer sample sizes. Many designers don’t have the money or the time to create a range of clothing sizes just for models. There is an industry standard that models didn't create, but have to fit into.

Behind the scenes

As someone who has been involved in the fashion industry since the age of 16, I have never been to a photo shoot or fashion show where food and drink has not been offered or available to models. No style editor or photographer wants their model collapsing from dehydration or hunger during a job. Models do eat. They need to eat to keep their energy levels up and stay working. It is a myth that all models are starving themselves to be thin. Many of them will tell you that they eat like pigs, but just can’t seem to put on weight.

THE REAL ISSUE

I would urge model critics’ intent on tipping the scales of justice against models to go after the industry that employs skinny models: modeling agencies, magazine editors, design houses, and clothing manufacturers. Put pressure on these groups to lead the way in making the industry accountable for the standard model size we see parading the international catwalks. It is the only way to change and promote healthy bodies.

· Get at the people who have influence to make changes to an age-old industry by introducing and enforcing industry guidelines on model size, age and weight.
· Lobby for watchdog organizations to monitor the fashion industry and implement yearly medical checkups for models.
· Provide education to those participating in the industry on nutrition and healthy eating.
· Redefine the norm with letters to fashion editors, designers and clothes manufacturers.

Who has the power?

Models have neither the power nor the strength to carry the weight of this debate single handedly. For instance, when the world became enraged over children working in third world sweatshops, nobody blamed the children. The international community supported the children, attacking the sweatshop owners and international corporations who contracted children for the sweat of their labour. Models are not far from being like these vulnerable children. Models are considered to be cheap and disposable labour. Every model knows that there is someone younger, prettier and skinner than them waiting to take their next job away from them.

What would you do to keep your job? Think about it. Then decide if it’s still worth attacking models for the state of skinny.