Fashion Industry discussion, review, analysis, news, and information

Yes, it definitely needs to change to be more relevant to the majority of the population! Think how popular the Dove - real women campaign has been. That is NOT about unnatural skinniness!

By the way, I just included The Runway Scoop in a post at http://flooringtheconsumer.blogspot.com about color and fashion trends.

C.B.,

I'm glad that people are becoming more and more aware of this issue. It really is time for the industry to change its standards. Dove is definitely one of those companies that gets it.

By the way, thanks for the link!

Lagerfeld is in denial if he thinks the fashion industry is completely innocent with regards to the growing body image issues. Both fashion and mass media play a major role in socialization and passing the buck does not change that fact.

Kimberlee,

I think that Lagerfeld is just a little bit out of the loop - caught up in his little fashion bubble, as usual. But that is ok...everyone is entitled to their opinion. As long as the ball is rolling and the buzz is out!

media should be aware of the message they send to the people. they should not assume anything about the kind of "proper education" their audience have. the audience might get the wrong message and eventually (man, being a social product), this message is internalized on these people. the message might not be of the media's intention, but they are liable for it. i think the spanish government made a risky/controversial decision in banning unhealthily skinny models but it reflects its concern for its people especially the youth and its commitment to the responsibility of promoting a good health.

Standards are very high for becoming a model. That's the way it has always been. This issue is in no way any models fault. It has to do with our human psychology. Some how, we get this image in our minds that we're all supposed to look like models. In human nature, we all strive to be the best, and i don't care what any one says, being skinny is better than being incredulously over-weight. The point is that prosecuting models for being skinny is like prosecuting mcdonalds for making people fat. It's an individuals personal psychology that that drives them to throw up after every meal. Not only that, but it's extreme discrimintation: They can't have a job because they're too skinny. a counter argument would be: Overweight people can't get a job, wouldn't that be discrimination? No, using skinny people is a marketing strategy that is apart of the job discription. So all in all, i disagree with the above statements. These people aren't skin and bones, they models: deal with it!

The unrealistic persona that overtly skinny models send out is wrong. when i look at a model who is trying to sell me there product i look at that product and it makes me not want to wear it because i dont think i would be able to fit into there clothing, i am 16 years old, 5'10 and 160 pounds and i think that this is a realistic weight for my body type for the models who are my height and weigh 110, that is absolutly un-realistic

I AM 12 YEARS OLD AND I THINK THAT TYRA
SHOULD HAVE AMERICAS NEXT TOP MODEL FOR TEENS AND PRETEENS BECAUSE WE HAVE DREAMS OF BECOMING A MODEL TOO..... WELL
I DO.~!~

Hi to all ! One I would like to post this message to the young lady who wrote the comment above me. I think that everyone is entitled to their own opinions, but I believe you are way to young ( try and enjoy your life right now cause you only get to be young once). I mean you have your entire life ahead of you. If you have watched the "Next Top Model" and really watched it, you will have noticed that modeling is not an easy task at all. Grown woman have broken down, in what we believe "simple" tasks. So before you go and say, that I would fully think about what you are actually askin for. Seriously >>> I mean who wouldn't want to be a model ? But the question, you need to ask yourself is why do you want to be a model ? and is this something that I can handle ?

i belive that models are too skinny andare a bad example to children who look up to these people and think i want to be taht skinny
it is an unhealthy weight and shouldnt be looked up 2

Hello :)
I think that modells should be natural, not that skinny. Sorry, I cant write English.
From Norway ..

Im only 14 and Ive been trying to get skinny.I see models that I want to be like and say "Wow I wish i had her body".I have always wanted to be a model and tried many times.My family wants what is best for me and all i can think of is getting skinny to be like one of the famous models such as the girls for Victorias Secret and many more.As i read all the other peoples comments i realized you all are right.Not everyone is skinny and you dont have to change yourself to become a model.Girls think skinny is the new in and yet "yourself" is what is in.Every girl out there is pretty and if you want to be a model like me dont change yourself just be you and do you show your fun personality and bubbly spirit that you have confidence and that is waht can get you all places.

Im only 14 and Ive been trying to get skinny.I see models that I want to be like and say "Wow I wish i had her body".I have always wanted to be a model and tried many times.My family wants what is best for me and all i can think of is getting skinny to be like one of the famous models such as the girls for Victorias Secret and many more.As i read all the other peoples comments i realized you all are right.Not everyone is skinny and you dont have to change yourself to become a model.Girls think skinny is the new in and yet "yourself" is what is in.Every girl out there is pretty and if you want to be a model like me dont change yourself just be you and do you show your fun personality and bubbly spirit that you have confidence and that is waht can get you all places.

I'm sorry but when I watch a runway show it makes me sick to my stomach. These models are way to skinny!!! I just want to shove food down their throats. The designers have to be aware that these models are not realistic to real women in our society. I'm 23 years old, I'm 4'11 n weigh 112. I'm happy with my body. It's sad that we have society thinking that overly skinny is beautiful. I have a 7 year old and I do not want my daughter not eating or throwing up her food just because she doesn't look like them. Give me a break, 6 feet tall at 112 that's not beautiful that's gross. They have bones sticking out in every direction. It's just really sad.....

Hey Tyra!!
I saw finale of Americas Top Model and I was dissapointed to see Caridee win because I thought Melrose did better. I just wanted to tell you that. Bye

I was actually very happy to see Caridee win. I think she's beautiful and most def. deserved it! I'm not hating on Melrose but she thought she was the greatest thing and thought she was winning...maybe next time around she'll have a better attitude.

Well im 15...yes many girls do see the skinny models n want to be like them. They'll do anything to get that way and i think its really bad. Yes u are sappose to be healthy but some of the skinniest people in the world aren't. It's sad how women have to say "Do i look fat.. why can't i have her body"..You should be happy about yourself..yes i have had those taughts but my parents have taught me that beauty comes from the inside not the out side. I just wish women would stop beating up on themsleves on the way they look...Yes i have had dreams of beacoming a model,singer,dancer, and actress but if i have to hurt myself do things that may hurt my body like stop eating...or throwing up..its not for me.....I wish that women would feel good about themselves..because everyone is special in there own way......love always...xox

well i'm 16 and am from jamaica. Out here most guys love round girls. But what the hell? I'm 5'6 and i weigh 98 pounds. The guys love the way i am and i dont give a damn about this smashing of skinny girls. Plus, i would never want to get fat and i love the way i look. So girls whether your weight is unrealistic for your height orwhatever, just love yourselves.

Clothing basically shows better on tall, thin frames. The goal is: to sell clothing. A model's body is like a hanger. Curvy women are great! But, when a designer tries to showcase his/her work, the pieces show up better on a thinner frame.
Kim

well i'm 15 years old and i weight 98 pounds. I'm super skinny, i eat all the time not because i want to gain weight, but because im hungry and i like to eat. All that stuff about being yourself well yeah its true but come on face it, we live it a world that says it but doesn't mean it. People are telling me i should be a model, i dont know if i want to be one though. So you know what, some ppl are just skinny and they cant do anything about it, others eat and they gain it, its all right just think about your health. You can be 90 or 190 you can be beautiful ether way. Just dont say its gross to be skinny because i cant help it and it makes ppl like me go crazy on wanting to gain weight.

I think that some models are pretty but not the skinny skinny models. I have always wanted to be a model lots of people say I should and I say I want to. But if I tell my friends that I want to be a model I think they would laugh at me

tYRA i AM A WOMAN MORE THAN OLD ENOUGH
TO BE YOUR MOTHER , AND SOMONE JUST REALLY NEEDS TO TELL YOU, WHY YOU'RE NOT MARRIED OR EVEN HAVE A PROPOSAL IN SIGHT. TAKE ALL THAT PHONY HAIR OFF.
ACCENTUATE POSITIVE'S AND THAT'S NOT THAT VERY LARGE FORHEAD AND THOSE GOD AWFUL SKINNY LEGS. STOP BEING SO PHONY. THA'TS WHY WILL SMITH IS MARRIED TO JADA AND NOT YOU.YOUR MOM SHOULD HAVE TOLD YOU SOME THINGS. JUST BE YOURSELF TYRA. STOP BEING SO SELF RIGHTEOUS. YOU REALLY ARE NOT ALL THAT.

Hi tyra, this is lorna from the Philippnes. first of all i would like to congratulate your show, you're really awesome and i like the way you participate in your show,it might be eating, dancing, you put yourself in a position where in i think there's a posibility you'll be at risk! i like the fact that you are never scared of putting anything into your show! Go GIRL! you rock! my greatest wish is to be able to see you personally... watch you show at my sister's house they have the cable... More power Tyra on your show. God bless!

i'm doing a project, action research, on the affects the modeling industry has on anorexia nervosa and bulimia for people between the ages of 12-14. So far, this has been my best info. my thing is, i am recently trying to get into the modedling industry bt may b starting 2 late. i'm 13, 5'6 to 5'7, and wiegh about 115 lbs. i feel so fat! i was watching Extreme Makeover, and this girl that was over 25 and wieghs 115 AFTER her makeover! i'm not sure who's in the wrong... but i'm pretty sure its me.

i'm doing a project, action research, on the affects the modeling industry has on anorexia nervosa and bulimia for people between the ages of 12-14. So far, this has been my best info. my thing is, i am recently trying to get into the modedling industry bt may b starting 2 late. i'm 13, 5'6 to 5'7, and wiegh about 115 lbs. i feel so fat! i was watching Extreme Makeover, and this girl that was over 25 and wieghs 115 AFTER her makeover! i'm not sure who's in the wrong... but i'm pretty sure its me.

btw, the one 2 messages up was me 2, bt i dnt kno wat happned...watevr.

luv ya Tyra!

as a 15 or or 16 year old, it's perfectly natural to be 90-ish pounds, but as you finish wrap up the puberty stage, you are supposed to fill out and pack on body fat in preparation for motherhood. unfortunately, there are women who try to maintain a weight only fit for young teens while their bodies are attempting to grow to womanly height. the fashion industry is being massively irresponsible by showcasing super skinny models as the "ideal woman," and teenage girls try to fight their growing bodies by stunting their growth in the most unhealthy manner possible. they think, "if i just eat less and less, i can stay like this."

considering the fact that underweight women can have serious health problems and reduced fertility, a healthy weight for a 5'7" woman is around 140 lbs., and that most models are above 5'9" and weigh less than 110... someone has to say enough is enough.

i'm glad that at least one country is stepping up.

um i think that people who try to get really skinny by not eating or throwing up their foood is groose. okay im skinny, im 14 and way like 40 kilos. i love eating. people say to me where does all that food go? ... its just i dont gain weight. i hate it when i go to the beach and my friends are like i dont want to take of my top cause im fat. u should be happy for the way you are. everyone is beautiful inside or out. x

i think that people are to worried about looks these days and pretend to be someone their not. beauty lie's within.

hello. :)
im 15 and i think it sucks how we have the next top model but it sucks that you have to be a certain age for... dont get me wrong i love the next top model but us kids have dreams to. well i do! i think that we should have a teens top model. :P i no that i have my entire life ahead of me, but i no what i am interested in and what i want in life.

im doing a opinion piece 400 words on teens or preteens being too young to model.? and on the fact that models are to skinny. ive read all the opinions of others and ive actually learnt a lot from it. thanks. :)
i'd just like to say that i think that everyone is beautiful! be true to yourself and dont change for anyone.

I AM GLAD THAT THEY ARE STARTING TO BAN THIN MODELS BECAUSE THAT'S JUST UN-HEALTHY.AM ALSO GLAD THAT THEIR CHANGING THIS UP BECAUSE ONE DAY I WANT TO BE A MODEL,AM 15 AND WEIGHT 118 POUNDS.I THINK IM AT THE RIGHT WEIGHT BECAUSE AM ABOUT 5'4 OR 5'5. BUT I JUS DONT WANT TO BECOME ANERIXOC IF I DO BECOME A MODEL,LESS I'LL DROP OUT.