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She writes, "Fashion sets up a rarefied world of perfection that is, in many ways, defined by how much it differs from the mundane, from the norm. And all indicators suggest that as a culture, we hate what we are becoming: fat."
Her Washington Post article comes at the heels of two big fashion controversies: Chanel creative director Karl Lagerfeld caused quite an uproar when he told German magazine Focus, "No one wants to see round women," and said that those who dislike skinny models are, "... fat mummies sitting with their bags of crisps in front of the television." Polo Ralph Lauren was also in the news for retouching model Filippa Hamilton's body to the point of caricature--she was so painfully thin she looked like a bobble-headed Bratz doll:
While Givhan makes a good point, it should not excuse the fashion industry from its exclusionary and at times unhealthy preferences.
Some say that advertisements and magazines should reflect the population instead of embracing an unattainable ideal. Many magazines, such as Glamour, have made pains to feature plus size models.
What do you think?
Does fashion get a "pass" to do whatever it wants because it values fantasy, or should it work to include people of all shapes?
Comments: (5)
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By: Jacqueline Phillips on 10/21/2009 1:53PM
I view fashion as more intertaining than real. The average woman who is working,taking care of a family and active will look more like Michelle Obama if she is working out and eating healthy. Skinnnny!!! is unrealistic as a look for women who are busy living. Anyone looking at a fashion model should keep in mind it is a look for a specific purpose. I am in the gym working out, cutting back on unhealthy eating, and at the age 49, I find it very difficult most days to get back my shape. I weigh 155 on a 5'2" frame. I have lost 13 pounds but is it a challenge. I personally don't have a problem with the depictions. I know I need to work at being healthier.
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By: Lynn Allen on 10/25/2009 3:43PM
There are two type of Gay Men..the ones who absolutely love women and have them as mothers, best friends, etc. then there are the ones like Karl Laderfeld who hate women the design clothes for super skinny women to hold up a mirror to reagular everyday women to mock up...they design ridculously high heel shoes that make a podiatric sick just to again mock us...they want to be a woman so bad that they hate themselves and project that hate onto womean
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By: slimovingfast on 10/26/2009 1:11PM
Will all you FAT pigs get over your self I'm a beautiful 5 foot 5 115lbs grown woman, I don't work out, never ever had to, all I do is eat meat and junk, I'm not a model nor have I ever wanted to be one. I'm a beautiful nurse, and, mother of 2 girls. What do fat people mean when they say, "I'm a real woman" ??????? yes I'm a size 1 what makes me a fake woman?
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By: mojostudiony on 10/26/2009 8:33AM
It's funny that the general populace haven't figured out that the business of fashion is just that, a business.
Most items that you see on the runway are just samples and/or concepts of the designer's ideas. Moreover, material is expensive and it's far more economical to design a sample for a size 0 than a size 14.
Usually, when you see a designer that uses fuller-sized women, it's because their material is of a lessor grade than that of a couture designer or a fashion house.
So next time you see a skinny model, remember that she is a "living mannequin" for a designer's concept and not the perception of the real world.
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By: jackfreeman020 on 10/26/2009 9:30PM
I find a website wholesle shoes,choth,sunglass,ugg ect very cheap.
I don't know how about the quality .
you may take a look .
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