Size zero

Plus size models on the cover of Elle magazine.

2010-03-29T01:58:00.000-07:00

French fashionista's are shocked by the latest French Elle issue. It has featured a naked woman and also an actress without make-up but this time they have taken on a different route. French Elle have put a Plus-size Tara Lynn on the cover of the magazine. This was decided due to statistics that the majority of the French population were overweight. Although this may be the beginning of a revolution to use larger or natural models in magazines, Insiders tell the Observer that "it is not a trend it is a gimmick" a pastiche of larger models and this would just be for one edition; the magazine will go back to using skinny models in their issues. Many people believe that the French will not see larger bodies as an acceptable look in the fashion world.

Audiences may feel self- conscious about their appearance, by having a slim/slender model on the cover of a magazine may encourage young women to try to feel more confident; by purchasing the same style of clothing that the model wears or by following advice on how to loose weight. However this may backfire as magazines edit their images so that the models look thinner, when a young self- conscious female looks at these images they may be determined to look like the Fixed model they are looking at in magazines. This could lead to depression, starvation and then on to severe illnesses such as Anorexia and Bulimia. The audience theory that i would connect this to is the Hypodermic Needle theory. The uses and gratifications that magazines show allows the audience to think that they Must be like the the model on the magazine, the audience will become more passive rather than active because they see the glamour and success rather than the artificial aspects of it.

Although plus size models such as Tara Lynn and Whitney Thompson (America's nest top model winner of cycle 10) are attractive and successful despite their weight, audiences may not find plus size models appealing. I think that institutions do not find larger models attractive because the fashion world is dominated by skinny models, due to it being "attractive" as opposed to large models they use the popularity to sell to audiences. I also believe that institutions continue to use skinny models in their products; such as magazines, because they are selling what the audience does not have. Magazines use skinny models in their pages however they are edited so in reality the models do not look like what they appear to be in magazines. If magazine companies were to allow plus size models to be on the edition, then the audience may not buy the magazines because they are selling something that the audience already have. By keeping a constantly using an artificial image in their magazine, the audience will always try to become that, this creates an equilibrium. The fashion industry are the only society that has the power to change the way things are organised, however because they are making money out of it and they have no reason to change it they will not change it.

UK Vogue editor on size zero

2010-03-20T17:31:00.000-07:00

Successful British Vogue editor Alexandra Shulman expresses her views on the size zero debate. Shulman disagrees with size zero and is against teen anorexia. Shulman took on large fashion houses by sending a serious letter about the issue. Although she wasn't intending on the letter being publicized; it has been seen by The Times. The editor blames designers for allowing size zero models to appear in their magazines; according to The Times Shulman accuses designers for hiring models with "jutting bones & no breasts or hips" by providing them with "minuscule" garments. Due to this issue she has decided that Vogue frequently make the models in their photographs look larger by"retouching".

Despite Vogue's plan to make their models look bigger by retouching their images, there has been no outcome of it. After analysing Vogue's April 2010 issue i found that 95- 99% of the magazine contain elements of underweight (size zero) models.

Luisel Ramos; Death on Catwalk

2010-03-15T03:43:00.000-07:00

Uruguayan model Luisel Ramos died of heart failure due to anorexia. The 22 year old fainted in the dressing room after participating in a fashion show during Fashion week in Uruguay. Reports say that the model has been adapted to a Lettuce and Diet Coke three months prior to her death. Police have been informed by her father that she has gone several days without eating.

Her death influenced Italian fashion designers to bann size zero models from walking down their catwalks. Ramos's BMI (body mass index) was 14.5 and she weight 44kg/97lbs. Due to her death there restrictions of the body mass index; during the Madrid fashion week in September 2006 models below the BMI of 18 were not allowed to participate in this event.

Although the Ultra-thin models have been banned from Milan and Madrid they have not been banned from London fashion week. According to the daily telegraph, The British Fashion Council went against the government by resisting the ban of size zero on catwalks.

This is an example of how wanting somethingor in this case; the glamorous life of being in a fashion model, could allow a person to be so dedicated to the pointof where they do not realize how it is effecting them. in the fashion industry models seem to have the same appearance; Tall & slim with a distinctive face. By being tall, models will need to meet the height requirements (this is usualy 5"9), by having a distinctive face varies as it depends on the model however being slim is different as a person's weight can be changed. As this is an industry where you are judged on appearance, the models make sure they meet these expectations. it could be through exercise, plastic surgery and also dietiing, but in this case extreme dieting due to appearance could lead to fatal outcomes.

Twiggy's Olay ad banned over airbrushing

2010-01-25T03:07:00.000-08:00

English supermodel Lesley Hornby also known as Twiggy is the face for Marks & Spencer and is now in Olay's current advertisement for their new product. After the release of this magazine advertisement more than 700 complaints have been made against it. At first the ASA received 2 complaints and it has said to be that the advertisement is "Misleading because the image of Twiggy has been digitally retouched". This was followed by more than 700 complaints supporting the Liberal Democrats Mp's campaign against altering images in adverts.

Kate Moss FOR Anorexia!!

2009-11-19T14:40:00.000-08:00

"Nothing tastes as good as Skinny feels"

The 35 year old world wide British supermodel has been accused of promoting anorexia. Kate Moss was criticized for glamorizing the idea of being skinny and refers to it as being better than eating.

This crisis was discovered over an online interview on a fashion website WWD (women wear daily). Moss was asked what her motto was and she replied:
"There are loads, there's 'Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels'. That's one of them. You try and remember but it never works".

Critics, parents and even some younger girls have been appalled by this and feel that it is an encouragement for Pro- anorexia website. As she is already a institution in the fashion industry she also has other accomplishments such as; Perfume maker, Designer, Singer and Mother.

Apart from dating indie/rock musician Pete Doherty, she was also known for losing major modeling contracts with several international companies due to a cocaine scandal which she didn't admit to until September 2005. She then apologized for her actions.

Young teenage girls are already influenced on how women are represented in the media. Moss's agents are claiming that it was a misunderstanding; according to Storm modeling agency "her comments have been taken out of context" however will the public see that? or will they see this as an encouragement to the pro anorexia movement? will the younger generation of females be influenced by this comment.

Miss Bimbo

2009-11-17T13:10:00.000-08:00

"Become the hottest, coolest most intelligent and talented bimbo the world has ever known!

Miss Bimbo is a game where you look after a Bimbo character as she goes through life.

To progress in the game you have to get her a hot boyfriend, a cool place to live, and find her a great job.

You can also style your Bimbo and show her off to other players.

You can compete with other Bimbos to see who's the best dressed and most popular.

Miss Bimbo is free to play, so try it now!"

Above is an extract from a website called "Miss Bimbo" which is a social networking site and is also a fashion game. It originated in France as "Ma Bimbo" this is an English version of the French game owned by Blouzar Ltd London. It is aimed at the female audience. The aim of this game is to look after a character (which is chosen by the player) and develop the character through life. In order to be successful in this game the player needs to find a boyfriend, a good place to live and a decent job. Tasks also include competing in fashion shows, training for an abundant number careers, obtaining different boyfriends, gaining IQ points and changing the bimbo's appearance numerous times with hairstyles, costumes and plastic surgery.

Controversies
This online game allows the target audience to change their characters appearance through hairstyles & costumes, however the use of plastic surgery is what caused the controversy. Critics saw this as promoting the use of crash dieting and cosmetic surgery. Critics believe that it allows young girls to think that having the "ideal body" will lead them to success.

Bibliography

2009-10-21T06:35:00.001-07:00

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luisel_Ramos
Article title: Luisel Ramos
Author: n/a
Date: n/a

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/article-23367018-pressure-mounts-for-ban-on-zero-size-models.do#
Article title: Pressure mounts for ban on size zero models
Author: n/a
Date: 16- September- 2006

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-405600/Are-size-zero-models-catwalk.html
Article title: Are size zero models to thin for the catwalk?
Author: Karen Kay
Date: 18- September- 2006

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/versace-and-prada-join-fight-against-sizezero-models-427853.html
Article title: Versace and Prada join fight against size-zero models
Author: Peter Popham
Date: 10- December- 2006

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-423522/Italian-fashion-designers-ban-size-zero-models-catwalks.html
Article title: Italian fashion designers ban size zero models from the catwalks
Author: n/a
Date: 19- December- 2006

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1540595/Fashion-leaders-refuse-to-ban-size-zero-models.html
Article title: Fashion Leaders refuse to ban size zero models
Author: By David Derbyshire, Consumer Affairs Editor
Date: 26-January-2007

http://www.sundaymail.co.uk/news/newsfeed/tm_headline=why-we-re-happy-to-be-size-0--&method=full&objectid=18672471&siteid=64736-name_page.html
Article title: Why we’re happy to be size zero
Author: Grace Macaskill
Date: 25-Febuary-2007

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/article-23411630-details/Size+zero+model+is+banned+from+London+Fashion+Week/article.do Article title: Size zero model is banned from London fashion week
Author: Amy Iggulden- evening standard
Date: 10- September-2007

http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/world-news/size-zero-controversy-moves-to-male-models_10016965.html
Article title: Size zero controversy moves to male models
Author: n/a
Date: 10- Febuary- 2008

http://www.britannica.com/blogs/2009/02/the-size-zero-debate-alive-and-well/
Article title: Our “size zero” culture
Author: Sari Shepphird
Date: 3- Febuary 2009

http://www.britannica.com/blogs/2009/03/body-image-beauty-tahlia-brookins/
Article title: Body image beauty: Tahila Brookins
Author: Sari Shepphird
Date: 30- March- 2009

http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/fashion/article6489243.ece
Article title: Vogue editor launches new war on size zero fashion
Author: Will pavia
Date: 13- June- 2009

http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2009/jun/14/fashion-models-size-zero
Article title: Fashion houses hit back in row over’s
Author: Alice fisher & Caroline Davies- The observer
Date: 14- June-2009

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopic/celebritynews/6602430/Kate-Moss-Nothing-tastes-as-good-as-skinny-feels.html
Article title: Kate Moss: 'Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels'
Author: Murray Wardrop
Date: 19- November- 2009

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2009/dec/16/twiggys-olay-ad-banned-airbrushing
Article title: Twiggy's olay ad air banned over airbrushing
Author: Mark Sweney
Date: 06- December- 2009

http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2010/mar/28/elle-models-france-plus-size
Article title: Elle magazine breaks fashion's last taboo: plus size models on cover
Author: Tracy McVeigh
Date: 28- March- 2010

Investigation into the size zero modeling debate

2009-10-19T03:12:00.000-07:00

I am investigating the key areas of size zero debate. I will be investigating the issues that are linked to the profession of modelling. I will also look at how these issues are portrayed in the media. My primary research will be based on:

· High fashion magazines such as Vogue and Elle
· Television advertisements for Perfume.
· Billboards & posters.

My secondary sources are going to be the audience theories on size zero models. I will be looking at the debate of whether size zero models shouldn’t be considered idealistic. I will also show how magazines make you feel marginal dissatisfaction by making the target audience think that they are supposed to look a certain way.

As a response to this investigation, my practical will be an awareness campaign. This would be shown through print media. This will be an advertisement which will show the effects of how peoples perception on beauty can be mislead through fashion magazine propaganda. An advertisement like this will allow young female to be aware of the desire to be what the media shows them; a certain look will grant them success. This will show a different and personal side to the profession.

As an alternative I will produce a fashion magazine which will be shown as an anti- size zero magazines. This will show a positive side to what women can be or look like without having to change their physical image when it comes to health.