The fashion industry, particularly fashion magazines, often faces scrutiny regarding its portrayal of models. The youthfulness and extreme thinness of models spark continuous debate within the press and the community. This issue is complex, with many unacknowledged truths lying beneath the surface.
The Evolution of Modeling Standards
In the late 1980s, models were generally local girls who were naturally slim and healthy. They maintained their figures through moderate eating habits and a healthy lifestyle. However, signs emerged that some models were resorting to unhealthy methods to stay thin. Stories circulated of models fainting due to hunger and others being hospitalized and put on drips to maintain the extremely thin physiques demanded by designers.
As the industry evolved, food deprivation among models became increasingly apparent. Cigarettes and Diet Coke became dietary staples. Some models exhibited signs of anorexia, such as developing a light fuzz on their face and arms as their bodies struggled to stay warm. The pressure to fit into increasingly smaller sample sizes led some models to undergo breast reduction surgeries and engage in dangerous eating patterns. This pursuit of extreme thinness was often referred to as becoming "Paris thin," a dubious achievement accompanied by mood swings, fatigue, binge eating, and self-harm.
The Vicious Cycle of Sample Sizes
The fashion industry operates within a vicious cycle. Models who gain weight may not fit into sample sizes, leading to reprimands from their agencies. This prompts them to diet further, and the praise they receive for their weight loss reinforces the harmful behavior. The sample sizes themselves have become smaller over time, with couture dresses resembling christening robes. Many high fashion labels are reluctant to produce larger sizes, perpetuating the idea that clothes look better on extremely thin frames.
While some argue that fashion magazines should feature size 14-plus models, others believe that the primary focus should be on showcasing clothes. A healthy, toned size 10 can be acceptable, but as sample sizes shrink, models are compelled to diet drastically to stay relevant.
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The Role of Magazine Editors and Designers
Magazine editors often face criticism for promoting overly thin models, but the issue is more complex. The "fit" model, often an extremely thin individual, serves as the foundation for designer outfits. Designers create collections with tall, thin models in mind, influencing casting directors and stylists to seek out models who fit this aesthetic.
While some blame misogynistic men for perpetuating this stereotype, many female fashion editors also contribute to the problem. Some of these editors may have eating disorders themselves and become fixated on how clothes look on a size 4, disregarding the inherent dangers of the message being conveyed.
The Undie Run: A Protest Against "Uptightness"
In Salt Lake City, a unique form of protest emerged: the Undie Run. Participants, wearing minimal clothing such as thongs, boy-shorts, and string bikinis, ran through the city to challenge what they perceived as the conservative nature of Utah's political and religious environment. The event, organized by Porter, aimed to gather people frustrated with the state's political and religious climate. The Undie Run garnered significant media attention.
The Undie Run's location and timing were deliberate, juxtaposing scantily clad bodies with the modest attire of women attending a Relief Society gathering at Temple Square. The organizers' target, "uptightness," was a veiled reference to Mormon culture. Slogans such as "Separate Church and State" and "I'm a Utahn and I'm not Mormon!" reflected the direct critiques of Utah's political and religious landscape.
Juxtaposition with Religious Modesty
On the same evening as the Undie Run, thousands of women and girls, dressed in modest skirts and blouses, gathered at the LDS Conference Center for a Relief Society meeting. This display of religious modesty stood in stark contrast to the exposed bodies of the Undie Run participants.
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The juxtaposition of these two events highlighted the cultural tensions within Salt Lake City, a space contested by those seeking to challenge and those seeking to uphold traditional values.
Common Ground and Ironies
Despite their seemingly opposing viewpoints, the Undie Run participants and the Relief Society sisters share some common ground. Both groups, in their own way, seek to create a safe space where their values and beliefs are respected. The Undie Run participants protest against the "shrill [Mormon] voices of the world" that condemn them, while the Relief Society sisters strive to protect their homes from the "predatory and provocative influence of the adversary."
Ironically, the very conservatism that the Undie Run participants protest contributes to the safety they feel while running in their underwear. Utah's high degree of safety allows them to feel at ease, even in a state where their lifestyle may be viewed as unconventional.
The Diet Coke Connection
The article also touches on the environmental impact of the fashion industry and how some companies are working to create eco-friendly fabrics. One example is a factory in Colombia that recycles Diet Coke bottles into polyester fiber, which is then used to make clothing such as jeans. This innovative process highlights the potential for sustainable practices within the fashion industry.
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