Through Thick and Thin: Controversy in the Fashion Industry

By Timothy Hayes on December 14, 2014

Few things inspire the unique sense of fear and admiration amongst women in this country like the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. With luscious long legs waltzing up and down the runway carrying ideal bodies covered in just enough of the world’s most coveted underwear, this event is the highlight of L Brands Incorporated. However, since its inception the show has encountered massive controversy. When it first aired on ABC in 2001, the Federal Communications Commission received a flood of complaints, most dealing with indecency on air, but more recently, fingers have been pointed at L Brands for their excessive use of unrealistically skinny models. Adrianna Lima, one of the Victoria’s Secret Angels, recently said that 24 hours before the fabled show, she will forego all liquids to drop 8 pounds. The Institute of Medicine recommends an intake of 2.2 to 3 liters a day to prevent dehydration.

And it’s not just L Brands either. Dozens of fashion companies and magazines have been accused of using unhealthy models to form unrealistic expectations about women. The fashion industry has responded in turn with public relations campaigns trying to heal the wounds by promoting healthy food choices and good exercise habits, even posting official diets of models. However, not everyone is onboard with this idea. Recently, Denise L’estrange-Corbet, CEO of Glassons, one of New Zealand’s largest fashion retailers, fired back at the media by saying that skinny models always have and always will be part of fashion. Israel doesn’t think so.

The Jewish state recently introduced a ban on models with a Body Mass Index of less than 18.5, meaning that a model who is 5 foot 8 would have to weigh at least 122 pounds. The law also stipulates that any alterations made to photos using any software at all should be acknowledged on the image. There is some controversy over the use of a BMI indicator, but this is a step forward.

The controversy of skinny models in the media has been blamed for anorexia, bulimia, anxiety, and even depression, and while this may be a contributing factor in both, psychologists are not convinced it is as serious as some would suggest. Still, people love to blame something, and the fashion industry, with all its faults, is the perfect scapegoat. Some have taken to turning the idea around and pushing for thicker bodies and even going to complete opposite extremes. Gossip sites have suggested that Australia actress Rebel Wilson has pledged to remain fat; however, Wilson came out to clarify that she was contractually required in some of her films to maintain approximately the same body type throughout filming to facilitate continuity.

America is one of the world’s leading obese nations. According to the World Health Organization, the average body mass index for the adult population 25 years of age or older was 69.4; that’s over three times the CDC’s average recommended BMI for a healthy individual. This “epidemic” has been on the rise since the 1980s and is increasingly prevalent in underdeveloped and impoverished regions. Global growth of obesity has stabilized and even declined, but it remains a serious concern.

America is a place of extremes. Extreme political viewpoints, extreme media, extreme fashion, extreme ideas. This extremity has allowed America to succeed in all kinds of fields, but it has also dragged it down through a variety of issues. With body image now a central consideration in the media and, in some countries, policy making, America has to take a stand on these issues.

Promotion of a healthy lifestyle amongst teens is not prevalent; high school health class isn’t cutting it. Adult lifestyles have become increasingly sedentary. Children too are no longer as physically active, choosing instead to play with smart devices and watch television. Our lifestyle is changing and not for the better. Our food choices are not as healthy; Americans eat more and more fast and processed food every year with all kinds of fattening agents.

Similarly, mental health has been on a steady downward trend. Body image and self-concept have been blamed for numerous mental problems and yet they are not treated. America’s crash course has continued with greater divides in health every year and more and more problems for the public.

We know what’s going on; we can see the problem. Now we need a solution. We need to increase our health, both physical and mental. We need to solve this problem.

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