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viewsCurvy Girls IN, Skinny Bitches OUT
By krrobi, Sunday, October 18, 2009, 10 comments~~Haven’t you received the memo, Bucko? Curvy girls are In and Skinny Bitches are OUT. Sort of what Heidi Kleim says in Project Runway: “In fashion—one day you’re in and the next day you’re out.” Only she says it better with the German accent.
Anyway, that’s neither here or there…
Nobody wants to watch a skinny bitch with a skeletal torso strutting down the cat walk; nobody wants to observe ribs protruding and tummies sunk into the internal organs. I think there are names for that: Heroin Addicts, Meth Heads, and Girls Who Eat Lettuce and Stuff Fingers Down Throats.
No. No. No.
And another thing, we can’t stand a totalitarian telling us what we must like, or should like, or ESPECIALLY, what we lack. That is, unless you want your ass kicked to
Don’t even open your mouth.
So what’s got me on my soap box today? I’ll tell you, Sistahs, and you know I’m dying to. What’s got my undies in a twist is that Ralph Lauren, whom I thought was professional and principled, fired one of his models because she does not fit his imaging any longer.
“We consider her an important part of our imaging and branding,” the designer said in a statement to the media. “We regret that our relationship has ended as a result of her inability to meet the obligations under her contract with us.”
Her inability you dare say. What’s wrong, is she a size 5 now, Jerk? Obviously, this designer is NOT a woman.
The 23-year-old-model, has worked for Lauren since she’s been 15; she is 5’10 and 120 pounds which adds up to an ideal size 4 or 5. Are you kidding me? But I guess she’s not thin enough for Mr. Lauren.
Leslie Goldman, a body image
Here’s what inquiring minds want to know: When will women be perfect enough, thin enough, good enough, and immaculate enough? Seriously, if a model is getting fired for being too fat at a size 4, where does that leave the rest of us full figured gals, us Godiva loving chicks, us double dipper freaks? And more than that, what sort of message is this sending to our young girls, our unfortunate- body- image- obsessive girls?
“There's no question younger girls are getting this message, says Murnen, who has studied this for 15 years.”We have done studies of grade-school girls, and even in grade 1, girls think the culture is telling them that they should model themselves after celebrities who are svelte, beautiful and sexy."—
Did she say SEXY?
Not only did Mr. Lauren and his shallow, one dimensional company fire Ms. Hamilton, but they also placed her head on this unnatural, grotesque body. And thank goodness, this is where Ms. Hamilton drew the line in the sand.
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Hellllo, not right? It’s a damn disgrace. Um, does it make you kind of wonder why we have a country of bulimia, anorexia, hopelessness, and depression? Does it make you wonder why we have a Prozac generation, a distorted self image generation, a generation that assumes they will NEVER be reach the point of flawlessness or approval? Exuuuuuuuuuuuuse me, THERE IS NO SUCH THING as perfection, and quite honestly, imperfection is much more fascinating. Kate White, the editor-in-chief of Cosmopolitan magazine, said “I think women have to protest, and back it up, because sometimes women say they want real girls on the covers, but often those magazines don’t rate as well, and if you put a heavy celebrity on the cover, it may not sell as well,” White said. “Women have to complain and then back it up with their actions — with their pocketbooks. As the saying goes “We can do so much more together than we can ever do apart.” Can we come together with our actions and pocketbooks? Will you buy this magazine? Or this magazine? The magazine you chose could save lives. If you don't believe me, google bulimia and anorexia right now to get the stats. Last Note.... I loved this movie soooo much, please click here to experience true Women’s Empowerment and Liberation…and I say Amen, Sisters. Amen.>>> Real Women Have Curves
“I saw my face on this super-extremely skinny girl, which is not me. It makes me sad. It makes me think that Ralph Lauren wants to have this kind of image. It’s an American brand ... and it’s not healthy, and it’s not right.”
Oh, yeah, that's me, honey!
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10 Comments
Well said, Kim. I was one of
Well said, Kim. I was one of those girlies in high school. I'm no towering model, but got close to 90 and clothes hung on me - size 0. Ridiculous. I wonder if being the meth capital of the country had anything to do with it? (Not me- but sick skinny girls, wealthy community, "Seventeen" models for classmates) I dropped down to a 0 again each time I nursed my boys- who were like Buddah babies (chunkilicious)- and the doctor said, "STOP IT!" It was not healthy and I could NOT eat enough and keep on the weight. Very different circumstances. My stomach churned looking at the model in the first photo- shame on us as a society. I worry about many of the students at my univ. who belong to a culture that is becoming more obese (also related to class and access) but my understanding is that it's better to be a bit heavier than too thin. Thank you for your outrage- so well written... as always. I'm certain there is a happy and healthy medium - we need to get back to sanity and moderation.
I have soooo much to say
I have soooo much to say about this!
First - I <3 Kate White. I listen to Cosmo Radio on Sirius/XM and she is on the morning show once a week answering questions for how young women can succeed in business. She is one smart, funny lady.
Second, Saturday Emma and I were out shopping. She said she thought she was losing weight and was glad about it! "I weigh over a hundred pounds Mom!" I told her that is just fine - she is 5'5 and her size zero jeans fall off of her! I keep telling her she is a perfect size and really try not to disparage my own size around her.
Third, I am now almost 6 months pregnant. I tried for a year to lose weight before this baby came with no success at all. I told my husband at dinner last night (where I ate REAL food thank you!) that for some reason I feel skinnier now with this baby belly than I have in years! Although to model standards I am a house.
Fourth, the supermodels of my growing up generation - Cindy, Tyra, Claudia, Nikki, would not be the same in this decade. It has not been that long since they were heralded as the standard, now they'd be considered enormous! I heard an interview with Tyra Banks on another show a few years ago. She was asked her measurements - height, weight, all the rest. When I was in high school I modeled also; I was the exact same size as her and I wore a 9. I was NOT fat. I no longer miss that world. They're insane.
http://conversationswchristine.spaces.live.com
Hypocrites
Hello Ladies I keep hearing that the fashion industry wants models to be healthy. But stories like this remind us they are offering pure lip service. You have to wonder if more clothes would sell if women could see what they looked like on real bodies.
Seems Like
We were on the same wavelength per usual...I love it!
angelia
Oh PLeassssssssssssssssse Mr Lauren
Women have come so far in many ways but the fashion industry is so far behind. Thank-you for reminding me with your photos opts how truly wonderful it is to be curvy and not look like a walking dead person. kudos to you !!! I am looking forward to hearing more from you. :)
love and Peace,
Wolffie
www.wolffieswords.blogspot.com
p.s. Thanks for your kind words
all you have to do is go
all you have to do is go clothes shopping and see what sizes are missing - size 8 and up. So women are not the size 0 and the fashion industry may never get it but the retaliers just might when they see what is left at the end of the season. Great blog.
elizabeth cassidy -Life and Career Coach www.BranchingOutLifeCoaching.com
Wonderful as always Kim!
~Laura
eeek!
Geez! I would cry and give those girls a hug.. They are freakishly skinny! And as for mr. Lauren, I've got a four letter word he can stick up his.. That girl is no where near fat.. I dont think any of those girls could be fat if they tried... Eck.. It's just sickening the stigma's society places on the impressionable.. So many stigma's so little time... Wow.. good informative piece though! Thanks :)
Simply Susan All Day...
Ralph Lauren is insane and only curvy women are real women.
I agree that the whole Ralph Lauren thing was ridiculous. There is NO way that girl was anywhere near fat...at ALL. That man is insane. My God, that body they put her face on is actually pretty scary! Anyone who fires a size 4 girl for being fat is out of their mind. It's sick. Girls shouldn't have to starve themselves to be employed. Yes, some models are naturally skinny. I used to be one of them until I quit(fast metabolism, naturally small frame/build, ect...no eating disorders here..thank God). But there is a lot of pressure on the girls who aren't naturally small to make themselves skinny when they aren't supposed to be that way. It's sad. Like I said..girls shouldn't have to starve and constantly worry about gaining a pound or two to be hired. Just because a girl isn't a size 0 doesn't make her fat. Ugh. I'm so glad I quit modeling...I don't miss that world at all.
In response to "Real Women Have Curves". Well I'm a skinny girl and not very curvy(small boobs, small butt, skinny waist, ect)...so what does that make me? A figment of someone's imagination? I'm sorry...but I just get so sick of that phrase. It really doesn't help much. Sure, it might help bigger girls, but it makes me feel uglier than any runway show or modeling agency ever could...especially when I hear it all the time. The movie itself has a good message, but as far as the phrase itself goes...I think we could've at least come up with a phrase that helps all body shapes and sizes instead of just ONE....the curvy one. It's just as bad as saying that only skinny bodies are "real" or "beautiful".
Dear Icewolf, Yeah, I get
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