“Love your body rather than trying to become like ultra-thin models in catwalk shows.�
“The beauty isn’t all about body shape, it’s about our confidence.”
Is the fashion industry’s obsession with weight leading to serious health problems?
The size of models has been one of the more controversial aspects in fashion industry. “Fashion is a mirror and many teenagers imitate what they see on the catwalk,” said regional official, Concha Guerra. Are models portraying a healthy image to people?
Fashion models’ extremely low weight to stay in shape as thin modern fashion icons sparks the controversy on whether to put weight restrictions for fashion models with concerns over their dangerous influence.
working as fashion models is in the hands of each individual. Who doesn’t want to look tall and lean just like the models? However are ultra-thin models = encouraging average-sized women to lose weight in the wrong way?
“The restrictions could be quite a shock to the fashion world at the beginning, but I’m sure it’s important as far as health is concerned,” said Leonor Pita, director of Fashion Week. Amid the growing controversy, the fashion industry still prefers ultra-thin models and keeping the balance between staying healthy while
As well as being unhealthy in terms of sustained weight loss, dieting has a profound effect on mental health. It leads to serious problems like anorexia and bulimia. Anorexia is characterised by a significant weight loss resulting from excessive dieting. Surprisingly, some anorexic sufferers are refusing treatment, and
more than 15% of patients die due to complications. For example, French actress and model, Isabelle Caro died in 2010, the cause of death was acute respiratory disease. The doctors estimate she died as a result of immunodeficiency due to anorexia. However, Thai model Tracy Touchaorn has overcome her illness. She was suffering from severe anorexia but she’s recovered and now saying she’s happy to spend lots of time exercising and cooking.
When were you diagnosed with anorexia? The first time when I was diagnosed, the symptoms were already serious. When I began working as a model at age 18, I just felt I’m so fat in the photo. That’s why I started dieting, but my diet method was seriously dangerous as I overdid it. I’ve taken the diet pills without having proper meals. So, rapidly, I had significant weight loss.
What have you been experiencing and when did you start being treated?
Are you fully recovered from the eating disorder now? And how is your life today?
muscles. Ireally like it. You might don’t know how much effort I’ve put into it.
I was only worrying about getting fat. I almost felt guilty even eating something. An irregular heartbeat, menstrual irregularity and frequent irritations were just some of the common symptoms. But the most important thing is I was ignorant about my health. I was only when my weight was far below normal, like 42kg, I finally recognised it as a serious disease.
Well… I can’t say that I’m fully recovered. Actually I’m still receiving the treatments. But compared to the past, I live a totally different life now.
What advice would you give to young women who feel pressured to walk like he models on the catwalk?
What part of your body do you like most? My arms. They were skinny as a skeleton but now I have strong
Love your body rather than trying to become like ultra-thin models in catwalk show. The beauty isn’t all about body shape and size, it’s about your confidence.
Designer Rick Owens agrees “We are rejecting controversial beauty, creating our own beauty.” With a responsibility to portray healthy body images, will the fashion industry start to become more accepting of diversity in shape and size soon?
WORDS+IMAGES MINJI KIM
“When I was suffering from anorexia, I had a severe fear of being fat and I worried about weight gain, and how many calories or grams of fat I am consuming. That’s why I only had an apple a day. BUT, not now.”
Models: Man Cheen Teo Viviana Aziaka Jessica James
DON’T JUDGE US
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