Columnist Courtney Mihocik weighs in on the debate about healthy and unhealthy body images of models.
I’ve noticed there’s a certain duality in the way that the general public views fashion models. On one hand, there are people who enjoy the way that models look, thin and toned, walking down the runway. On the other hand, there are people up in arms about the seemingly negative message that admiring these women sends.
I find myself on both sides of the coin. I know that there are certain companies that use underweight models for their advertisements. For example, according to BBC News, Yves Saint Laurent featured a thin model sprawled on the floor in an advertisement. The Advertising Standards Authority reviewed the ad, which appeared first in Elle UK, and decided that the certain lighting and the similar width of her thighs and calves warranted a ban of the advertisement in its current form.
It’s clear the model is thin, but is she unhealthy? Who are we to judge strictly from a picture? Now, I will say that because of the nature of the fashion industry, which makes profits on influencing the public by projecting images of high-end glamor and happiness through clothes and models, Yves Saint Laurent could have picked a different person for the shoot.
Another important player in the model industry in fashion is Victoria’s Secret. Social media usually becomes more active during its fashion show, with a variety of comments, ranging from praising the models for their appearances to disdain for the “unhealthy” look they have.
The mindset that thin equals unhealthy is, in itself, unhealthy. Last year, the Victoria’s Secret Angels interviewed with Cosmopolitan before the 2014 fashion show about their diets, and it’s not what people would generally think. Many of the models maintain healthy diets — healthier than the average person.
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“I don't think people realize half of the things that we do (or eat) …” model Karlie Kloss told Cosmopolitan. “We are humans, we are normal — I live my life, I have a wonderful, happy, healthy life. … I don't diet; I'm not a fan of diets or fasts. I just do my best to stay healthy.”
The interviews revealed that Kloss’ coworkers’ diets were in unison with hers. Healthy eating, working hard and enjoying life. Just like what we try to do in our lives, right? So, before chastising or blindly praising professional models for their image, try taking a step back and admire their hard work instead.
Courtney Mihocik is a junior studying journalism. What do you think of the debate about body types in modeling? Tweet her @CourtneyMiho or email her at cm674912@ohio.edu.
