Comments on: Even Healthy Models Can’t Work

By: Mary

Mary — Sun, 11 May 2008 20:20:29 +0000

I’m no fan of size zero, and I certainly do believe that we want to see healthy girls on the catwalks. What strikes me though in this debate is that no-one has so far raised any complaints or concerns about the American model Velvet D’amour modeling for JP Gaultier during Paris fashion-week. On the contrary, the appearance of the very plus-sized Ms D’amour on the catwalk in Paris has been applauded as a step in the right direction by the very same camp that is propagating the banning of “too thin” models, supposedly for health reasons.

By: yoganut

yoganut — Thu, 08 May 2008 02:29:22 +0000

Oh, sorry for the double post, I forgot something. The “too thin” models are being lambasted and left out of things because they are “unhealthy role models.” But what about all these “real women have curves,” “a size 14 is totally normal” people? The girls most affected by this message are in their teens and if they’re a size 14 in their teens it’s only going to climb higher. Why is no one speaking out against unhealthy fat? The health risks for being overweight are higher than for being mildly underweight. And unless you have a genuine eating disorder, most people don’t have the willpower necessary to get to “underweight.” But becoming obese in this culture is surprisingly easy. And a much higher health risk in part because of that ease.

By: yoganut

yoganut — Thu, 08 May 2008 02:26:56 +0000

When I was in high school my BMI was 16.3. To give you some idea, I was around 10 pounds underweight. I did not look “sickly.” Yes I was thin, but I wasn’t emaciated, I didn’t have ribs poking through, I was just small framed and willowy. IMO this is just messed up. I didn’t have an eating disorder in high school, I ate a normal healthy amount of food (sometimes probably more than a normal healthy amount, but I had a fast metabolism) And I took ballet.

The only time ANYONE ever thought I had an eating disorder was in 8th grade after health class when we discussed eating disorders and I went to the bathroom after lunch (to reapply makeup), they followed me to make sure I didn’t throw it up.

My doctor always pronounced me in fantastic health and said I was a little underweight but that I shouldn’t worry about it, my metabolism would slow in time.

The modeling industry requires a lot of energy, it’s very feasible someone could have this low of a BMI, be extremely healthy and eat healthy amounts.

By: Freya

Freya — Sun, 04 May 2008 21:30:17 +0000

I wholeheartedly agree with Emmy.

Models are supposed to look pretty and healthy, and if they don’t, then tough luck. Stick thin (a BMI of 16 sounds pretty stick thin to me) is not the ideal, and neither is having a few pounds extra… I have a BMI of 23 and nobody would let me model either, even though I’m in the healthy range. That’s the way the modelling industry works. You’re not just supposed to BE healthy in that industry, you’re supposed to LOOK healthy. This is modelling for Christ’s sake, what do you expect it to be based on?! That’s right: looks. Not health.

By: Trinity

Trinity — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 14:01:28 +0000

It’s ridiculous that thin models shouldn’t be allowed to work even though they’re healthy. Have we grown so used to obesity that a slim person looks abnormal and unhealthy?

By: Emmy

Emmy — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 06:37:43 +0000

^That’s just silly. No career should encourage people to be unhealthy. And by allowing models to be unhealthy that’s encouraging it. That’s dangerous, the modeling industry needs to take care of their models, not endanger their lives by making it okay for them to be unhealthy because they think it’ll get them more jobs.

By: latisha

latisha — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 22:09:21 +0000

i think its gay.
models should deff. be allowed to to whatever they want to keep their jobs..
the hiring pl should worry bout the models, if they really want to be unhealthy..
why not let them???
they can worry about themselves..
everyone else in the world who thinks they set bad examples need to learn how to love there own body bcuz just cuz they dont like theirs does not mean they can make models go out of work bcuz they are insecure with themselves..
i hate those ppl who are putting models out of buissness…

By: skinnyminny

skinnyminny — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 18:55:43 +0000

Who is to judge what looks unhealthy? What one person thinks looks unhealthy, someone else might not. It’s pretty subjective.

And even as a petite woman myself, I can understand why they don’t have 5′4 models working the runway in high fashion. To me, it’s a little more justifiable than having a perfectly healthy woman booted because in some people’s opinions she appears to look too thin.

By: Emmy

Emmy — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 07:33:04 +0000

The whole basis of modeling is discriminatory. This isn’t discrimination anymore than not allowing a 5′4 woman to model the clothes is. The modeling world will never be fair, it isn’t meant to be fair. If they have standards and people don’t meet those standards, tough luck that’s how the industry works. If a model looks unhealthy that’s just as bad as actually being unhealthy in my opinion.

By: Erin

Erin — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 18:38:07 +0000

That’s bullshit.