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

Comments

[Ann Marie]

I do agree with some of the comments in regards to skinny or too skinny. Some girls and women are naturally skinnny. People do not realize that a skinny person is teased horribly as kids and as adults. I am from a natural thin family, my husband is 6ft 3ins I am 6ft. My 16-year-old daughter is 5-foot-10 and is naturally skinny, however she does not have the anorexia looks. She eats way too much but I don't say any thing in regards to her eating because she is very active with school etc. Someone should have a show about the pressure and terrible experience that skinny people go through and the names that we are called on a regular basis like CN tower. Don't attack the skinny models, attack the commecials that promote weight loss. It also seem that people are saying one thing and doing something else because people compliment others on how great they look once they lose at lease 5lbs. Everyone is attempt to be skinny because, honestly, once a person is a certain size clothes tend to fit much better and are comfortable.

[irene]

Why do people want models to look like the rest of us? Even the models chosen for the 'Dove' campaign were exotic, beautiful and memorable. The difference is that in lingerie, or nude -- many body types look great. Skinny models serve a specific purpose -- to sell clothing.... In fact the more attention we give skinny models (and we do) the more attention the designer will get!

[Bhagee]

I am the unfortunate parent of a 12-year-old girl who wants to be a model and an actor, and thinks she can be like Nicole Ritchie or whoever is skinny. For her, skinny is the in thing and she has lost tremendous weight since she started to have this eating disorder. I totally support countries which ban such models from taking part in any such catwalks. I hope the rest of the world will wake upto this and follow suit.

[Trevor]

I think it will never change. As long as the top designers are men. Most of the male designers are gay. They like there models skinny. Skinny models remind them of there boyfriends. Funny, but true.I (We) know they need to have models with curves. If it hasn't changed now it will never change. The only we is if news comes out that models are being forced by designers to lose weight.One sure way is if a famous skinny models dies from malnutrition

[Cynthia]

Huh...it looks like my post never showed up. I guess this is a little old. Anyway, I'm wondering what would happen if a designer decided to not make his or her sample sizes fit a "standard runway model" but a woman who is approximately 5'4 or 5'5 and a size 0 or 2 (i.e. the same size as many movie stars). Therefore he/she would not use 5'10 size 0 models, but someone who is of average height (though still much smaller). What would happen? What if *I* decided to do this?

[Gretchen]

Unfortunately, every area of modeling has its dysfunctions... even fitness modeling. In order to stay cut, many of these girls will starve themselves and work out hard. I do not condone any of it, but the business is what it is...

[YourMomma]

I am somewhat annoyed by comments about skinny models. When I was younger I modeled for several years. I was always stick thin and I never had an eating disorder or a body image problem. Everyone in my family is tall and thin and we all eat well, in fact I tried to gain weight when I was young - so many people made harsh comments about my being thin. (By the way, people would never dream of telling someone they are too fat, but they feel its acceptable to tell someone they are too thin). Anyway, personally I like thin. Being fat is unhealthy and when people go on an on about body image, I think they are just trying to find an excuse to stay fat. I don't want to see fat models. It's not healthy to be fat! Stop finding reasons to sit on the couch people. Don't blame models for society's body issues. Be responsible for yourselves!

[mar]

The girls in fashion are often obsessed with being noticed . Beauty seems to be the way to get the attention and validation they seek. Why are we as a society not giving them other avenues to be noticed and respected? I wonder if the wasted time and work hours as well as money could not be spent more wisely?