Robin Givhan, a Washington Post writer, made a long and interesting point in an assessment of the fashion industry’s exclusive use of very thin models. She argues that designers aren’t “deluded” in doing this (though she doesn’t mention anything about Karl Lagerfeld’s recent commentary) rather, most models are so thin because the general population is so often overweight. The former gets worse in reaction to the latter becoming more widespread, because models and fashion spreads are like an inverse reflection of the world that they are not.
She notes, of course, the recent decision by Brigitte to no longer feature models in its pages, as well as the hulabaloo about the overly-photoshopped Ralph Lauren model. But ultimately, Givhan says, what will change the size of future models isn’t protesting their current gaunt frames, but changing the size of the population itself.
We want to hear what you think. Would a generally fitter (though not emaciated) public help push the fashion industry toward using more reasonable looking models?
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I can see where they get that idea… but I don’t think a fitter public with change fashion. I think it kind of has to go both ways, both parties are to blame.
The public should just stop complaining that models aren’t “real” because they are in fact real girls, and there are real girls out there that are size 0 without dieting. that’s just the way they’re built . Also, lets face it, a healthier, fitter (not skinnier) public could only be a good thing.
Fashion however needs to make sure that their models are healthy, and not overlook any eating disorders. Its simply an industry safety hazard. Also a bit of diversity in body types could only be a good thing.
of course, that’s just my opinion.