Blame the Designers for Anorexic Models

Submitted by Kristen OGorman on Fri, 03/16/2007 - 9:57am.

In the April issue of Ladies' Home Journal, editor-in-chief Diane Salvatore addresses the big issue in the fashion industry right now: anorexic models. But unlike so many other reports that focus just on the fact that models are starving themselves, Salvatore hits the nail on the head about a possible reason -- designers will only provide tiny sizes for their samples. Simply put, if you can't fit into the clothes, you can't model it.

After speaking out about the issue in July 2006, Salvatore was challenged by readers to use models above a size 4 in her photoshoots. In this issue, she did just that -- she used a size-14 model without flagging her in every photo as the token plus-size girl. But it was a real challenge to get designers to send samples in bigger sizes.

"...designers still provide only tiny sample sizes for shoots, which means only ultra-lean models can wear them. Why? Apparently some designers feel their clothes are shown to best advantage when uninterrupted by the natural curves of a woman's body," wrote Salvatore (LHJ April 2007, p. 14).

Well said. If the designers won't provide bigger sample sizes, nothing is going to change. Aspiring models will continue starving themselves to fit into the elusive size zero because it's necessary in order to be a model. Unless, of course, you want to be considered a plus-size model, at a size 6.

Well, models are supposed to be clothes hangers, not individuals... as sad as that sounds.

Agreed. Designers should have control over the aesthetic presentation of their clothes. There's nothing I hate more than an editorial spread that forces the idea of "BIG & BEAUTIFUL." Curves come in and out of style. I find this debate tiresome.

I believe it was the November or December issue of Glamour that “blew up” photos of models in designer clothes and readers agreed that the clothes looked better on the photos of the enlarged models.

Although, until magazines stop trying to get publicity for using plus-size models and pointing themselves out as a medium for change, I don’t think the thin ideal will change. I understand what Jonas is saying and a lot of people argue that is it the creative freedom of the designers to display their clothes however they want, but if designers want to model their clothes on clothes hangers, maybe someone should just walk them down the runway that way.

I think we also have to realize that the idea of "beauty" changes depending on the social opinion of it as well. There was a time when curves were beautiful and women weren't starving themselves to be thin. Unfortunately, right now, that's not the favored image of women, which is why designers are making clothes to fit models who are under weight and stick thin.

~Bianca

5'6'' and an occasional size "0" myself (depending on the cut) it's become a stigma to admit that I fit into a garment that is deemed to be "too small." I hear people comment about being an "anorexic size 0 or 00" and blush from embarrasment. I'm perfectly happy with the way I am and don't think people have the right to make generalizations based on a number. The fashion culture has become obsessed with the "Numbers Game" and by placing a stigma on smaller sizes, we are only contributing to the problem by putting even more emphasis on what caused it in the first place. The focus needs to be on health, happiness and self-esteem, not a number.

While waiting for my husband at a recent medical appointment I was really disappointed, after picking up an LHJ to read, that I discovered the editors letter regarding a size 0 is an academic stereotypical reverb regarding anorexia. I am nearly a half century old and very petite. I am a size 0. Since I was in high school! I don't think I am going to grow any more. The size is not my choice XXS, size 2, size 00;it does not define me nor should size define ANY woman. I have NEVER had an eating disorder of any sort, have healthy teeth, hair, skin with some wrinkles and I LOVE food, not picky about what I eat actually, have never dieted, have a hereditary high metabolism, low cholesterol, my babies all near 8 to 9lbs(3) and a good figure with curves at 5'1 and 95 lbs. I am TINY, not "skinny" nor underweight or in any way unhealthy due to my size zero status. My doctor even jokes that I am a hummingbird! I do not apologize for being a pixie, nor for being a size 0 or that I love dressing nicely every day. I do not allow insulting commentary or backhand compliments to bring me down. I like being who I am. I am regarded as a bit of clothes horse with classic tastes by my coworkers. I have raised my kids with the same mentation and they come in a range of sizes too. So do my friends. We are fun and love to enjoy life,have a sense of humor and do not look at anyone stereotypically because of the size of their jeans. I am a retired registered nurse and successful realtor and have met women who can't handle my being different bodily than they are (?) - I have always been puzzled by that. I do not why GOD made any of us the way we are. Oddly it is a real challenge shopping for clothes as so few stores in my area cater to professional, truly petite women, in midlife who want to dress a certain way while raising kids and running a business. I take care of my health and family, have had set backs in both and do not think wearing a size 0 made it better or worse. Your readers should focus on what they like about themselves and not someone elses diminutive dress size. All the best, (Little) Jeanie

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