z_Naked Lunch

Skinny models

Today fashion editor Bernadette Morra and stylist Derick Chetty discussed the controversy surrounding models' extreme lean body mass, which has some critics pushing for a ban on skinny models. Read the archived discussion below, then click the comment bar at the end to add your thoughts.

First off, I want to state that I agree that some of the models on the international fashion runways are too skinny. When I am choosing photographs to put in the newspaper, there are often images of girls with emaciated arms and protruding ribs and shoulder blades. I can't, in good conscience, glorify such extreme thinness by putting photos of those girls in the newspaper. And besides, there is nothing attractive about a girl that thin, and I have no idea why a designer would choose such a model for his or her runway. Bernadette

While it's commendable that there is finally discussion on this topic, I wonder if any change will come about from this debate. A few years ago there was a furor over models that looked sickly like they were hooked on heroin, then it was much ado over the pre-teen ages of the models on the runway. The topic du jour is they are too thin. Milan and Paris fashion weeks are just days away and I'm sure it will be business as usual. Be thin and you're in. Derick

Derick, that is a terrible thing to say. "Be thin and you're in." I think you had better clarify that remark. Bernadette

By that remark, I mean that I'm not optimistic that there will be sweeping changes anytime soon. And considering that those two fashion weeks get worldwide coverage, the "thin is in" images will be perpetuated and used by publications for months down the road. Derick

One thing that I don't think people realize is that most of these girls are naturally very thin. That is one of the reasons why models are generally so young. Think of an adolescent boy who suddenly has a summer growth spurt and returns to school in a foot taller with gangly limbs. It takes time for his body to pack on fat. That is exactly the female body type that designers crave: a superskinny girl with gangly limbs. Once a girl is that extreme height for a few years her weight will catch up. Very few models are actually anorexic. Bernadette

Yes but think of all the girls who want to be models who become anorexic in their quest to get into modelling. And just look at the 22-year-old model whose death ignited this debate. She was reportedly only eating leaves and drinking diet soda. These girls either don't understand or don't accept that they can't be that thin and be healthy, which is the issue here.  Also I'd like to add that while clothes hang well on these tall skinny girls, the average body with breasts and thighs and sometimes even folds of fat won't experience the same fit. Kate

Kate is absolutely right. It's the girls who don't have what it takes to be a model and who diet in the hopes that they will be thin enough that is the problem. It takes much more than a low body mass index to be a model. Models must have good skin and teeth, symmetry, wide-set eyes, and strong facial architecture. Bernadette

Any girl who is existing on leaves and diet soda has deeper problems. Such a girl would never be able to withstand the psychological aspects of modelling, including the frequent rejection. Also, models must be physically strong...modelling looks easy, but actually takes a great deal of physical stamina. Bernadette

Whites after Labour Day

Wearing white after Labour Day has long been considered a fashion faux pas. Is it time for that fashion rule to change? Send your comments to nakedlunch@thestar.ca or use the 'Comments' link below.

I feel this is a very outdated concept. I bought a pair of heavy-weight "skinny"white jeans from Old Navy this year. These jeans are far too warm to wear in summer. Is it okay if I wear them tucked into knee-high boots during September and October? Cindy

Yes. The key to wearing white in the fall is the weight. No cottons, no linens, make sure your white item is of a heavier fabric. Pair your jeans with black on top for a dramatic effect. Derick

I wore white shoes for years. Usually from mid-May to Thanksgiving. Still would but I haven't been able to find a good pair of white shoes for a few years now. Anyway, the Labour Day rule went out the window years ago. I know lots of other people who wear/wore white(er) pants and shoes until Thanksgiving. NM

In the conservative mens market in Canada, it's difficult to find white shoes in the fall. But there were lots this summer at most chain stores. So be on the look out next summer for shoes you can wear into fall. Kate

This “rule” should have gone out with the gloves and hats back in the 50's. I don't think any colour should be “restricted” to any season. I wear yellow, pink, green, blue, purple all year round why not white? Kathy Fogal

I agree. Just look at all the celebrities in Toronto for the recent film festival who wore white and at night. Derick

Film Festival Fashions

This week fashion editor Bernadette Morra and stylist Derick Chetty discussed what the stars will wear at the Toronto International Film Festival. Read the archived discussion below and click on the comment bar below to add your remarks. Join us again next Thursday when we will discuss whether the no-white-after-Labour Day rule still applies. And we thank Toronto Star reader Cindy Rochussen for that Naked Lunch suggestion!

How do you think Canadian designers will fare in terms of exposure on the red carpet this year?

I am always hoping for a breakthrough year for Canadian designers. Unfortunately our local talents just don't have the world class budgets necessary to get their clothes onto the stars. Chanel and Valentino, for instance, both have publicists working overtime, wooing the stars with private cocktail receptions and luxurious clothes and shoes. Bernadette

But do Canadian designers have that "wow" factor needed to really shine on the red carpet?

Absolutely. Not all Canadian designers, of course. But Patricia Field, costume designer for The Devil Wears Prada, certainly thought that Izzy Camilleri had enough "wow" factor to put her fur coat on Meryl Streep. And Izzy's leathers and chain-fringed pieces are guaranteed head-turners. There are also Canadians who do sensational evening gowns, like Toronto's Thien Le. And Montreal designers such as Renata Morales and Denis Gagnon have striking designs in a more avant-garde vein that would be great for a celebrity to wear to a Film Festival press conference. Bernadette

What do you think Jennifer Lopez will wear?

I don't think there will be any surprises from JLo. She's come a long way from the plunging V-neck Versace gown that first got her noticed years back. She has honed a much more glamourous red carpet image of late, one that harkens back to Hollywood's golden age. Bernadette

I think JLo dresses for the occasion. At the recent MTV awards she was dressed in a short mod silver dress and matching head wrap! Perfect for that event. At this festival, she might be a bit low key. The red carpet here is not exactly the place to pull out the Oscar worthy gowns. Derick

Point taken, Derick. I just looked up what JLo was wearing at the MTV Video Awards in August. Yikes! That's more Sunset Strip than Old Hollywood. Bernadette

Where is a good place to go celeb-spotting in Yorkville?

Hopefully the celebs will not be holed up in their hotel rooms and will be out and about in the Yorkville area. Stop in for a coffee at the Starbucks on Yorkville Ave. beside the Four Seasons Hotel. The last time I was there, Clive Owen was in front of me in the line-up. Have lunch at Cafe Nervosa, also on Yorkville Avenue - Rob Lowe was there the last time I had brunch there. Of course, stroll by the Four Seasons, you'll see hordes of photographers waiting for celebs to exit. Derick

Or you could just hang-out with Derick Chetty! Sounds like he's a celeb magnet!

I am a Toronto jewelry designer. How can I get my jewelry to the stars?

While you might be eager to give away your product to celebrities for free, it actually will cost you to do so. Most swag lounges will only accept a minimum of stuff - i.e. I know one jewellery designer who was told that she had to give 200 pieces of her stuff and provide a fee of $1,500! So it's not a matter of just forwarding a few items to give away. Hence, most of these swag lounges are filled with brand names that can afford to do so. A more strategic route would be to forward your items directly to the celeb. If you know what hotel they are staying in, you can always address it to them and leave it at the conceierge desk. Derick

Any other red carpet predictions?

Christina Ricci is supposed to be attending the Burberry party at Holt Renfrew on Friday night. I assume she will be wearing Burberry. Derick

Chanel is having a party for Sarah Polley who is making her directorial debut. I assume that will involve some gentle persuasion to wear Chanel. Bernadette