I apologize for not updating in a timely fashion. It’s kind of hard to post when your computer is sick, but we went to the mac doctor and it’s all better now. So on with the post.
One of my most visited web sites these days is Yahoo! I usually get some of my news from there and hit up the sudoku for some brainy fun. I was pretty upset a few weeks ago when I saw an article about a Ralph Lauren model being extremely photoshopped. Then, last week, I was angry when an article appear saying that the model was fired from Ralph Lauren and they continued to use her image and alter it.
According to the model, Filippa Hamilton, she was fired because is overweight and couldn’t fit into the clothes.
How much did she weigh? 120 pounds. At a height of 5’10″, 120 pounds is a very reasonable weight. According to a Body Mass Index calculator, she’s underweight! To be considered a normal weight, your BMI should fall between 18.5-24.9. Hamilton’s BMI is 17.2, which means she’s in the underweight range. I used to weigh 120 before I got sick and I’m only 5’5″. That’s a healthy BMI.
So, Mr. Ralph Lauren, what are you trying to promote? In a world where girls already suffer lower self-esteem and confidence when they enter in their tweens and teens, Ralph Lauren seems to be continuing this illusion that we need to be stick thin to be beautiful.
As woman, I’m sickened by the idea that we should starve ourselves to maintain the “slim” physique expected. I know models are using their appearance to get work and kudos to them. Modeling is tough, but they shouldn’t have to starve themselves or lose more weight to keep their job. What kind of message are the young girls receiving? Why are we constantly bombarded with images of a rail-thin women who are supposed to be “sexy”?
One positive action in the ad/media world is Dove’s Campaign for Beauty. I’m glad that Dove is continually working on this campaign to “free ourselves and the next generation from beauty stereotypes. I first found out about this campaign three or four years ago, and I’m happy that it’s still going on.
This may not have anything to do with Crohn’s or SCD, but it’s still important to think about. We all struggle with our self images. We’re too fat, too thin, too normal. Our body types are “all wrong” or we’re just plain ugly.
Alyse K
