This blog post is based on the Telegraph article which can be found here: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/fashion/3364825/Now-fashion-mags-make-models-fatter.html
The article explains how some magazines are doing the opposite of what they have been criticized about for many years. Critics say that images of thin models in magazines has contributed to eating disorders in young girls, and now many magazines are "fighting back" against this criticism. The same techniques that they have been criticized about (PHOTOSHOP) are now being used in reverse.
The two images of Cameron Diaz are from an agency cxalled iWanex Studio that shows off "before and after" pictures of celebrities. In her image, they filled out her thighs and arms and made her hip bones disappear and her stoamch smoother. The article also discusses how magazines, such as Glamour and GQ are pretty supportive of "fattening up" images of models in some cases-because not only does it take away some criticism, but it makes sometimes too-thin models look healthier and better.
This article honestly made me laugh and made me confused. Why can't magazines choose to pick HEALTHY models in the first place to be used in ad campaigns, etc. instead of intentionally choosing a stick-thin model that they just "fatten" up through Photoshop to look "ideally healthy"?? It was interesting to learn how our society feels about when models are Photoshopped to be THINNER, but then also to learn how the reverse is also being done-all to sell a product, message or ideal.
Oh, also...a bit ridiculous how they mention models are "fatter" because I'm pretty sure that looking at the "after" (aka "fatter") image of Cameron Diaz-she still looks 105 pounds. The standards of some magazines really need to be reevaluated in my opinion.
I have never heard or seen of this, but I am astounded! I definitely think the most important point of this, is like you stated, the fact that they may be adding to their pictures - they're still stick thin! It also exemplifies how strict the 'guidelines' are for media's representations of the ideal body form. This still is sending a negative message to society. Think of the implications this can have. If I am 16 year old girl and I see this and I see the regular messages that magazine covers etc send me I am confused. One is telling me I'm too fat, and the other is telling me I'm too skinny. There seems to be no happy medium.
ReplyDeleteI hadn't heard of this either! I guess it's a nice gesture for the magazines/retouching agencies to be trying to get images of "curvier" women out there, but you're right: they should be using healthy models in the first place. It would be more effective if magazines and other media refused to use them as models in the first place unless they had a healthier body shape. It's not realistic, either. We see photos and videos and movies with these actresses they are using as models in other media, where they are definitely just as thin as they normally are. It's sending mixed messages to viewers and readers, and it's completely obvious what they're doing.
ReplyDeleteThis is a very confusing concept of "fattening" models. I agree, why not just hire models that fit the "fatter" version? For anyone who's ever watched or studied films, plays, or musicals from the 1800s know that the ideal women was curvy with full hips, stomach and breasts. Maybe, just like how fashion likes to repeat itself, this body type is on the rise again?! If so, it will take many many many more years. Like you pointed out, even the "fatter" version of Cameron Diaz is still tiny and still not very close to what normal people look like. Even though it's been happening for years due to advancements in technology, these magazines are going to take woman's bodies a part even more by picking a certain model for her best physical quality and molding and photoshopping the rest of her to meet the right body type standard. Their thoughts are probably "if they actually get fatter, it will be everywhere, not just where we think they should have more "fat."
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