Smell the eating disorder, flowers.
August 15th, 2008 by JimGSTF has learnt whilst browsing the guardian newspaper that an eating disorder charity reacted with dismay yesterday as London Fashion Week abandoned plans to force models to pass a health test before taking to the catwalk. The idea was basically that models would need a doctor’s certificate proving they were healthy and not suffering from an eating disorder before they were allowed to work at the twice-yearly event.
So much for banning the size zeros!
But yesterday the British Fashion Council, which drew up the initiative last year, said it was being abandoned after other fashion capitals refused to follow London’s lead. In an open letter to the industry, Hilary Riva, chief executive of the BFC, blamed impracticalities in the plan, along with a feeling among models that it discriminated against them, and a lack of support from Milan, Paris and New York.
Model Erin O’Connor said yesterday the idea was flawed. “I feel that to ask all models to produce a mandatory certificate of health compromises their dignity and potentially infringes their human rights,” she said, pictured recently on the cover of vogue:
What do you think of this health test U turn and the model / catwalk industry in general?
Do tell and feel free to strike a pose.
This news saddens me. I think London was moving in the right direction. I’m disappointed that other countries did not follow. Perhaps, the plan was flawed and they will rework something else. I think, it is definitely a movement of thought in the industry in the right direction. It is disturbing to me how thin the models are and how impressionable kids and adults are by the media. It has almost become a right of passage in the entertainment industry to have one. I’ve had my ups and downs with an eating disorder myself and it is so difficult. My idea of what I should look like becomes distorted even more my what I see in the media and print. Eating disorders are an addiction and one of the deadliest…I really pray that the media can begin to make some changes for the better.
Oh, I used to be a double zero!
DOUBLE Zero - does that exist?
Wow.
At some store, I would purchase them at Banana Republic. Now, with my medications they won’t go over my thighs. LOL!!! Actually, it is quite distressing.
This morning when I like woke up an went downstairs right, that bloomin Laurence Llewellyn-Bowen wiv is posh wall paper, flouncy sleeves an poofter’s aircut see, he was in my front room like, wiv some ov the neighbours, an he was like discussin ow they were goin to like redecorate my ouse right!!!
All inside ov 24 hours an that see!
I ates that LLB I does, an he was talking bout inspiration this an inspiration that right, proper getting on my nerves he was right, like he always does see. An that’s when I lost it like an started shoutin at em an all an that;
“Listen, youz lot of hospitality abusing blinkin, “I’m alright, so not to worry!” bunch ov blimmin Saturday mornin, egg plant sprinklers!!!”
“Fed up wiv youz lot I am!! FED UP!!!”
“Look, just get out ov my room! You lot ov alf bit decorators an designers! It is not art just cos you av got 10 minutes left an a packet ov jelly beans wiv some nail varnish, paper clips an glitter stuck in an ome made frame!!!”
“Just get out!”
“GET OUT!!!!!”
An then they left see, an I went back to bed I did. Eadache right.
And your views on the article about eating disorders would be what, elt?
But that’s like the whole point ov it right in it! Cillit Bang!
Please tell me they didn’t use the terms ‘Fuschia’ and ‘creates the illusion of space’ a lot, if they did then count me in if you’re planning to give them a kicking.
Lol, lol and more lol!
I think it’s a good idea. High fashion modeling is glamour, glitz, beauty, jet-setting…but it’s also strenuous work. Most jobs that require a certain level of high activity or should I say productivity require yearly physicals on their employees. These size -3 bean poles should be glad someone’s interested in their health….obviously they’re not.
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Unfortunately, one issue of eating disorders is about needing to have control of this area which often precludes obtaining or receiving medical treatment despite the fact that most of them know that their health is in danger. Often they only receive medical attention when forced due to the illness. It is an insidious disease.
I can’t believe this still gets attention.
If someone is obese they are allowed all manner of excuses as to why they are ‘its my glands’, ‘I hardly eat’ etc. Yet when they are thin they also get stick (pun intended) about it.
If people are so influenced by the media and lack the basic common sense to eat well, exercise and be a normal weight then lets allow them to remove themselves from the gene pool via starvation. I’m sick and tired about people using influence as an excuse for stupidity and lack of self management. You are in charge of you, not the numpties in Vogue.
Eat a blanced diet, take at least moderate exercise several times a week and hey presto, no freaking problem.
If you are so influenced by the media then maybe give it a miss and take up a hobby.
GIT,
I wish it were as simple as you put it, but eating disorders of any kind is a psychiatric illness and addictive. Anorexia has the highest mortality rate of any psychiatric disease. It isn’t about self-management. It is about over management and needing control. Depression, low self-esteem and a history of abuse usually sexual all come into play. It is a defense against dealing with their feelings and issues of needing control because somewhere along the way the felt no control. It is addictive psychologically and physically. I know for me once I start losing weight I set a goal, but if feels so good to lose weight that I want to continue. I feels good not to feel full, to not eat even though my body says to…I have control over my body. It is a way to cover up deep emotions…focus on the eating disorder, not the underlying emotions. It is a very complicated disease and a very distressing disease. It is the one issue in therapy that I almost will not talk about unless I am getting into trouble. My mind will automatically go there under stress. Media and career choices influence, but does not cause eating disorders. But, for me I find that it distorts my idea of what is real. In eating disorders, body image distortion is very difficult. Someone may be a stick figure, but that really isn’t what they see in the mirror. They actually see an overweight person. Again, it is a very complicated insideous disorder.
ClinicallyCluelesss last blog post..ABC’s of Aging from Doc’s Place
I actually agree with both viewpoints here. Ultimately the responsibility lies with the individual but if they are suffering from anorexia they are suffering from a deeper psychological issue that needs treament.
However fatties can get stuffed. I have yet to meet an obese person who didn’t gorge or did no proper exercise. Its easy to lose weight.
Luckily my lady is a mere 45kg which is petite especialy in comparison to my 99kg. Although she doesn’t have an eating disorder she isn’t a cooking type of person. I suppose we will have to get a cook!
Obesity is also considered in the eating disorders category provided it meets certain criteria. Either way you are so right when you say that “if they are suffering from anorexia they are suffering from a deeper psychological issue that needs treament.” And, yes they are responsible for obtaining treatment which is highly resisted until a crisis happens or due to health concerns they are forced. It is an addiction, so to hit bottom they get treatment. But, then there is the cooperation. Anorexia, bulimia and obesity are really hard to treat. And, with all of them there is an endorphin type action within the body that becomes addictive. Food represents so much, nurturing, care, etc…
Sorry about your lady. I hope she is dealing with it. My husband was quite helpful when I started to gain weight because he kept telling me that I looked better with more weight and that my clothing fit and looked better on me. However, I was ready to listen to that. If the timing were off, it just would have made me angry because it would have felt like he was telling me to gain weight and trying to control me.
ClinicallyCluelesss last blog post..ABC’s of Aging from Doc’s Place
no CC you got it wrong
she doesn’t have a disorder!! she’s just little thats all!
Okay…I misread you reply. Sorry and a good thing for you.
ClinicallyCluelesss last blog post..ABC’s of Aging from Doc’s Place
Should models be expected to produce a health certificate at the catwalk or not?
If not then more size 0’s are encouraged if real health doesn’t count an dit’s all based on looks - right?
I would like them to to make regulations that they be within a certain BMI and fat %. It is about looks and unfortunately right now the thinner the better. Even Lynda Carter, Wonder Woman, would be considered overweight when, at the time, she was considered really hot and they type of body to have. And, look at Marilyn Monroe. I think the fashion designers need to change their way of thinking because they put the pressure on the women to be a certain look.
ClinicallyCluelesss last blog post..ABC’s of Aging from Doc’s Place
THE FUNNIEST one would be to drug test the models
if they did that you’d be watchin an empty catwalk
Really?? They are on drugs?!
Amphetamines, diet pills, laxatives, other stimulates like caffine. There is more, but that is off the top of my head.
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Oh, I swear, we’re drive to this sort of thng by society and advertisers and food manufacturers who put harmful chemicals in everything. We’re just mutating!
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