In the last few minutes, I have been both disgusted and elated.
Elated by Brigitte, a popular Germany women’s magazine, that has decided to finally ban the use of emaciated models that set-up unhealthy body images in women’s mind. Love this comment by the editor-in-chief, Andreas Lebert, editor-in-chief, who is “fed up” with having to retouch pictures of underweight models who bore no resemblance to ordinary women, “For years we’ve had to use Photoshop to fatten the girls up,” he said. “Especially their thighs, and decolletage. But this is disturbing and perverse and what has it got to do with our real reader?” Now what I want to know, is where in Canada I can get my hot little paws on a copy of Brigitte, as I want to start reading?
The Disgust (and yes, I know I capitalized it) on the flip side came from Karl Lagerfeld, creative director and head designer at Chanel. He is quoted as saying, “No one wants to see a curvy woman?” on Focus Magazine’s website. Rather curious to know then, if Karl, if he fancies women, likes his women unhealthy, because biologically speaking, us women were designed to have curves. Also curious, to know if this is the image that Chanel wants portrayed out there? I mean, Karl after all is in-charge of design and your creative vision. Chanel, are you disgusted by us curvy gals?
I thank Now Public for bringing this to my attention and in response to their query of What Do I Think?:
As a self proclaimed expert of all that is sexy in this fine country of ours (or at the very least Vancouver), I am now a HUGE fan of Brigitte and think that Karl Lagerfeld should be taken out and shot for injustices to woman kind. While there are a few women, who naturally have no curves without starving themselves, they do not represent the majority of women.
Women were meant to be curvaceous. Our bodies are built for child bearing, after all. And I for one find curves to be DAMN SEXY and DAMN HOT! And if a fashion designer could properly design a pair of pants to fit a woman’s shapely figure – ie small on the waist and big on the hips – I for one would be eternally grateful. I am not a fan of giving everyone a plumber’s view of my ass everywhere I go, which is what most current women’s pants are designed to do.
Oh and one final note: Can we also PLEASE let models smile???? Smiling is irresistible. Whomever decided that non-smiling models, that look as though they’ve spent their entire lives without delight, was sexy is clearly a dumb ass.
Kisses,
Emme xoxo
So what to do? Join the Loyal Order of Knights of the Curve and spread the word, #curvesaresexy on twitter. It’s time we all started embracing a healthy body image as sexy. There’s nothing sexy about starving ourselves.
steven schwartz says
I agree,
i like curvy women they are real…and as the son of a fashion designer i am appalled at the false body image that is portrayed by editors and designers who are not beauties themselves. And good old creepy Karl with his glove fetish, does not know what men think is sexy in a women because he likes boys hence his dislike of curves.
Oh and as for mens fashion i am built like a rugby player so few fashionable stores make clothes that fit me. We are also obsessed with the pre pubescent boy in mens fashion hence the hairless wonders.
i feel better now.
Rob J says
You know, in thinking about all of the women I’ve ever been attracted to (and there have been a lot!), and the number I’ve ever convinced to date me, I find that I actually don’t have a type. I’ve dated thin women, and also the full figured woman too, plus some short women and at least one tall one that used to be a rugby player. What ever it is I’m attracted to, it doesn’t necessarily reflect a particular aesthetic.
I think the thing to remember is that a woman’s body is not really meant to look any specific way. It is very often down to genetics. And I think this has caused a lot of pain when it comes to the way women are presented on magazine covers, with aesthetics determined rather randomly, as far as I can tell. As such, I’m actually not sure who the heroin-chic model is meant to appeal to. I’m glad the publication has decided to use real women, although this is (I suspect) a commercial decision as well as a moral one.
And Emme, you’re right. The smile is hot. I could be wrong, but I think every woman I’ve ever dated smiled a lot. And were smart, although perhaps not to have dated me specifically. But, enough to be confident in themselves. And that is hot too, of course!
Emme says
Love your sentiments Stephen! Hadn’t thought about it in terms of guys fashion, but of course you face many of the same issues.
As for Karl, from his comments, I suspected he didn’t see women as sex objects and as such, was wondering if he batted for the other team. I think even if I was a homosexual man, he would still bring out the same feelings of anger in me. He feeds on making people feel inadequate. Feel a little sorry for him. He must have a rather sad and lonely live.
Emme says
Thank you Dr Jones!
Yeah, I’m the same with men. Have dated all different shapes and sizes. The one think I’m not attracted to is fakeness and trying to make yourself something your not.
I’d like to think Brigitte is actual making their decision to use ‘real’ women based on ethics and morals, and not just for financial gain. The editor-in-chief did after all comment on the preverse nature of photoshopping.
Much prefer to see the glass as half full.