This video was made by me for a sociology media and culture class to show how much impact
This video was made by me for a sociology media and culture class to show how much impact the media can have on women of our society. Some may think that it is hypocritical to post something of this nature when I myself am a model; however, I am a voice from within the fashion industry who is trying to make a difference. I have felt so much pressure in my career as a model to be overly thin. I feel that the constant images we are exposed to time and again can play a negative impact on the way that we feel about ourselves. Some cities in Europe, including Milan have banned overly thin models from the runway.
"Madrid Fashion Week, the Pasarela Cibeles, announced last week that it was banning models with a body mass index, or height-to-weight ratio, of less than 18 - which a 5-foot, 9-inch model would have at about 125 pounds. Also, the mayor of Milan, Letizia Moratti, said she would call on her city's designers to take similar action"( n.a 2006).
This is an excellent start. The more that we speak out the better chance that we have to change this issue. I am happy to say that at this time I am no longer worrying about my weight as a model. I have decided to freelance and to not work through an agency unless they have agreed to take me for my weight at the present time. Most agencies won't take me at this time because of my weight, or they will agree to sign me if I lose weight. Keep in mind that I am 120 pounds at 5'9 which is already less than I should weigh based on the BMI (body mass index). Through genetics however, I have a tendency to stay on the thin side and always have. If I am already under weight based on my height and age how does anybody have the right to tell me to lose weight? This should be illegal! Modeling has always been a dream of mine, but I am not willing to kill myself to be in this industry.
"After a controversy in the modeling world over body weight, a second model has died after becoming dangerously thin. Ana Carolina Reston, a well-known Brazilian model who worked for Giorgio Armani, died this week at the age of 23. Reston was 5 feet 8 inches tall and starved herself down to 88 pounds during her battle with anorexia. The model ate only tomatoes and apples at the end of her life. Reston had to be hospitalized because of a generalized infection. She had been a model since 13 and worked worldwide" (n.a, 1996 para. 2).
The constant pressure is not only felt by models within the industry it is also felt by every girl who scans through the pictures of her favorite magazine. it is felt by turning on the television or playing on the computer.
These consistent images can bring girls to starve themselves, use drugs to maintain their skeleton type figures, and in several instances may even result in death. Because of these horrible circumstances I have decided to start a petition and send it to our governmental leaders so that we can also make this change in our country. It is important to be healthy; we live in a demanding society that requires us to be able to take on so many daily challenges. I don't believe it is fair that everywhere we look we see a stick thin girl (usually 14, 15 or 16 years old) who makes us feel like we can't even wear a bathing suit to the beach. We need to get realistic here and speak out as an entire team of Canadian citizens. Please take the time to review this short video and please sign the petition that I have created. I am going to print the petition and write to the leaders of our country, which will hopefully help stop some of the unrealistic standards we are exposed to in our daily lives, and perhaps, like Milan and Madrid, we can create a ban on unhealthy Canadian models as well. Thank you for your interest!
References
(2006). Another Supermodel Dies After Weight Loss. Retrieved March 4, 2007, from 5nbc51.com Web site: http://www.nbc5i.com/health/10344570/detail.html
The Associated Press, (2006 September 18). London rejects thin model ban. Retrieved March 4, 2007, from International Herald Tribune Web site: http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/09/18/business/rthin.php
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