With all the talk recently about the need for more realistic body role models for girls and women, it's easy to believe that the fashion industry and women's magazines are making great strides. Witness the backlash against Self magazine for its admitted airbrushing of Kelly Clarkson on its September cover. Yes, it's great that we're talking about these issues, but I think it's important for moms -- and their daughters -- to remember that the world of fashion and mainstream media is an entirely different world from the one most of us inhabit.
Consider British model Lara Stone, the latest "it" girl who is being heralded as a "role model for real women."
Really?
I give you this from the Daily Mail article: "And, most importantly, she is a US size 4 (healthy UK 8). Now that might sound super-skinny to us mere mortals, but in fashion terms, it's near-revolutionary."
Make no mistake: I'm thrilled that the fashion industry is moving away from skin-and-bones representations of what women should look like. But it's important to remember those words -- "in fashion terms." Only in the fashion world is a size 4 considered "curvy."
Want a real role model for a real woman? Take a look around you. In my community, I see lots of healthy women walking, jogging and working out at the gym. Sure, a few are size 4s, but mostly, they're at whatever happy, healthy size they were meant to be (and for some, that's a size 4).
So while I applaud all this attention to the need for curvier, more realistic models, let's not forget that fashion is still a very different world.
I guess that makes me SUPER curvy! :)
I think every now and then the fashion industry puts a token effort into appearing to make strides in the area of body acceptance. But most of the time, it's just that -- a token effort ... paying lip service to women to make us believe they care, and really do think beauty comes in different sizes ... like a size 4?!
Posted by: Michelle Cantrell | 08/31/2009 at 05:48 AM
My teenage daughter, who has always been small boned and tiny, recently went to the US and found out that she wears a size00 there. For most people, her size would be too small to be healthy, but it's just right for her. By contrast, my other teenage daughter wears a US size 7 and is perfectly healthy too.
Posted by: moonduster (Becky) | 08/31/2009 at 07:13 AM
As a personal development coach for young women and pageant contestants this is a topic I deal with all the time. I feel very strongly that each of us has a "best body" and it is not even close to what the media shows us is the "ideal". One of the most important conversations I have with my girls is that we are all built differently & have different genetic make-ups that determine our body size and it's most important to be healthy and comfortable in one's own skin. We need to teach young girls to build confidence from the inside out instead of getting hung up on what the media tells them the outside should be.
Posted by: Liz D. | 08/31/2009 at 08:53 AM
You've said it perfectly; fashion (and entertainment) is a different world. Maybe even a different universe. After watching an agent tell a beautiful aspiring model with a body to die for that she had to lose her muscle tone if she wanted to do runway work, I decided that I would no longer try to follow the trends. It's enough to make you cry.
Posted by: Alyssa | 08/31/2009 at 11:00 AM
Great post Dara. I blogged about a similar thing (Curvy Confusion) after our latest winner of the Next Top Model juggernaut was being labelled curvy when she clearly wasn't. Such a concern how this innapropriate labelling then gets into the sub conscious of young girls and women.
Posted by: Julie Parker | 08/31/2009 at 01:16 PM
The problem is, fashion is suppose to service US. WE'RE the people whom buy their things. But when they make stuff that only looks good on a small percentage of the population it should be bad business. Instead we're brainwashed to believe that we're the ones in the wrong.
Instead of claiming their world is different, they need to just acknowledge that the majority of the world is larger then they'd like and start making better clothing for us.
As far as entertainment - okay, I'd have plastic surgery if I could afford it, not just I'm fat but also to reduce the appearance of some scars. However entertainment should be about talent, not looks. Ever since they developed voice correction software the "music" industry is flooded with tone deaf pop-tarts who can't sing a note but have beautiful bodies. As someone who has talent and puts a lot of work into her voice, this ticks me off. I'm getting rejected cause I'm not thin and never will be even though I could out-sing the likes of Kelly Clarkson, Britney Spears, Hillary Duff, Miley Cyrus, etc.
It's not right. Period.
Posted by: Jami | 09/01/2009 at 06:05 PM
Hi, me again!
Jami, I just want to say I feel your pain! I experienced the EXACT same thing (as an actress) when I lived in Los Angeles. The only advice I can give is to look for a niche other than the mainstream music industry. You can be successful, in your own way. Find the people who appreciate your talent, and don't give up on yourself! Take care!!!!!!
Posted by: Alyssa | 09/01/2009 at 10:07 PM
A mom in my town -- newly divorced -- has plans to resume the modelling career she had in her 20s. When I saw her yesterday, I could not believe the amount of weight she's dropped. She's about 5'10" and told me she's down to 116 pounds.
Even though I just wrote this post, I was reminded once again of how what's normal in the fashion industry is so very, very different.
Great insights, everybody!
Posted by: Dara Chadwick | 09/03/2009 at 12:49 PM