Weight Dichotomy: Too Fat or Too Thin?

The controversy surrounding weight in the fashion world is on-going, and this week is no different. The issue of “too thin” has been talked about, demonstrated against, and boycotted since fashion’s inception; long before Kate Moss, the famously waifish model, was even born. The debate continues about whether fashion models who are extremely thin portray an unhealthy message to women and young girls around the world. People continually debate the correlation between young girls with eating disorders and the thin models seen in our media. On the opposite side of the coin, a newer debate is arising as to whether featuring overweight models also depicts this same unhealthy message in a different way. In this way it can be debated as to whether portraying and glorifying obese women in the media can also effect girls. Both scenarios sparked much interest in the blogosphere over the past few weeks prompted by two very different incidences. I examined a post by Tracey Lomrantz from Glamour’s fashion blog which responded to a popular MTV reality show titled “The City”. In the particular episode of “The City” the main character’s model friend is criticized severely for being underweight and questions soon arise as to whether she suffers from an eating disorder. The episode featuring Allie, the aforementioned model, gained attention in the blog world this week from people both criticizing and coming to the model’s rescue. In addition, I looked at another post by Amy Odell for New York Magazine’s blog The Cut entitled “Love Is Great, But Still Full of Not-Normal People”. The post responds to a recent magazine cover featuring a nude Beth Ditto, a rocker in the band Gossip, who is unquestionably overweight. These posts examine two distinct problems in the fashion world both of which question whether these differing images should be celebrated on runways and magazines. Both posts illustrate the too thin, too fat dichotomy in an industry full of contradictions. Bellow you can find my responses to both posts as well as on their individual sites.

“Is Allie From "The City" Too Skinny To Model?”
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It is as common to see skinny models strutting down the runway as it is to see animals in the wild. So why is it so unbelievable when one of those skinny models is depicted on a reality TV show? Although the model in question, Allie, is extremely thin so are the majority of models in the industry. This is not to say there is no problem in the industry as a whole, however it is sad when one particular girl becomes the sole victim of the attack. There are many famous models throughout history such as Twiggy, a famous 1960’s super model, and Kate Moss that epitomize the waif look and have been idolized for it. The question one needs to ask themselves is who is responsible for idolizing these images? In large part, we are.

While I recognize the negative impact that extremely thin models may have on women’s body image, it is in large part our own society that keeps these models employed. In one part of your post you touch on what Allie (shown left) says about the industry stating if the industry felt she was too skinny “She’d be losing jobs instead of landing them”. I'm interested to know what you think about that because it seems since she is getting jobs the industry is not concerned; probably because she is no thinner than the rest of the models. If people are really this outraged from seeing a skinny model on a reality show that may or may not have an eating disorder then to those people; don’t watch. Do not buy fashion magazines, go to fashion shows, or buy the designer’s product. It is the consumer who can wield power over what we deem acceptable. Personally, I feel that although some models are very skinny, Allie from “The City” included, it is not for us to say whether or not they have a problem. In a controversial move three years ago Madrid Fashion Week implemented a mandatory BMI of 18 on all models who would walk the runway. Those who had a BMI of less than that were banned from the runway. This had a backlash and did not solve any problems. Designers refused to comply and others felt this was a form of “reverse prejudice”, telling people they must weigh a certain amount. The bottom line is that these rules should not have to be implemented by a large bureaucratic organization, but rather designers and agencies should regulate themselves and look out for their own. Just as being extremely obese is unhealthy and threatens lives, being too thin has many of the same implications, and it is time the industry showed concern for this issue. For consumers, If they feel strongly about underweight models, they should chose action rather than berate a single model in an attempt to change the system.


“Love Is Great, But Still Full of Not-Normal People”
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While underweight models and actresses grace the covers of a plethora of magazines every month, it is less common to see an overweight rock star such as Beth Ditto. However, you have to wonder whether idolizing someone like her, who is obese, is just as, if not more, dangerous than admiring some of the waifish models that stare out from runways and magazine covers. It is an interesting predicament. Katie Grand, the editor of Love states that it is fabulous that Beth Ditto is so comfortable with her body in order to pose nude for the cover and it allows others to see their own imperfections. While I agree with her to a certain extent, I do not think she is a better role model for women than an underweight model. Although, her confidence is great, her body is nothing to be envied. Not because she is unattractive, but because carrying that much weight is unhealthy. As the Guardian’s Jemima Kiss points out there are no other obese women featured in the magazine so as she states, if “the way she looks" (don't mention the "f" word!) is such a positive thing, why aren't there any other podgy people in the magazine?”. I find myself agreeing more with Kiss than Grand on this point. Other obese women are not featured in the magazine because it is not looked at as a positive thing, and that is not a bad thing. How can someone say that because she is comfortable being overweight she is a positive role model?

I am interested to know if you think it hypocritical to praise an obese woman on the cover of a magazine, while criticizing those who are possibly underweight. Should Beth Ditto be praised for being obese? Kate Moss and other models certainly take much criticism for being underweight so what is different about the two? While being both underweight and overweight are dangerous to one’s health, being overweight generally has more complications and risks than being underweight. Either way, both should not be idolized. I find it upsetting that people are so harsh on models that are dangerously thin, while Love magazine seems to be accepting of having women idolize someone who is obese. Although Beth Ditto may be more representative of our society than underweight models, she should be no more of a role model than Kate Moss to young girls.