Tag Archives: body image

Today’s Lady News: “Top Model” Judge Calls Plus-Size Models A “Joke”

  • Julien Macdonald, a designer and a judge on “Britain’s Next Top Model,” issued a slap in the face to plus-size models everywhere when he said they don’t belong on his show. “There were no plus-size models,” he said, referring to the show’s sixth season. “This is a serious show. You can’t have a plus-size girl winning. It makes it a joke. It’s not fair on them. You’re setting them up for a fall. I know what would happen to them. They’re looked down upon.” Ugh, what condescending hogwash! Ever consider that maybe you are part of the problem, Julien? [Styleist]
  • Debrahlee Lorenzana, the former banker who is suing Citibank for sexual harassment, has hired feminist lawyer to represent her. [New York Post]
  • A 66-year-old Indian woman has become the oldest person in the world to give birth to triplets after IVF treatments. Bhateria Devi, who was childless before IVF, had two boys and a girl. All three of the babies were born under three pounds. [Daily Mail]

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“I Love Plastic Surgery”: New Video Of Debrahlee Lorenzana, Citibank’s Sexual Harassment Accuser

Remember Debrahlee Lorenzana, who recently filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against Citibank? A promotional video for Long Island Plastic Surgical Group featuring Lorenzana has now surfaced, in which she gets her second boob job and says she wants to be — and I quote — “tits on a stick.” Keep reading »

And What About Plus-Size Male Models?

Is the plus-size model debate one-sided? When it comes to talking about how the fashion industry promotes unhealthy female images, the male gaze might be silent, but nevertheless it’s there: Our models’ bodies look increasingly like those of little boys; the petite shape serves to give off a certain amount of commercial sex appeal. So we begin a dialogue about how curves can be sexy, or how plus-size women need more positive exposure in fashion. But did we ever stop to consider that the body image issue isn’t just applicable to females? In the latest issue of Fantastic Man, an indie men’s fashion magazine, one editorial focuses on not-so-slender men, complete with bellies, chunky arms, and rounded bottoms. The shoot’s subhead: “A series of stylistic suggestions for bold summer fashions to be worn by gentlemen of quite marvelous shape.” Keep reading »

Kim Kardashian’s Dictionary Must Have A Different Definition Of “Skinny”

A taut-stomached, bikini-clad Kim Kardashian will “never be one of those skinny girls” — wha-wha-what? I know she’s got typically un-Hollywood-esque curves and all, but damn, if that’s still not a skinny figure, what is? [Shape] Keep reading »

How Do You Get Motivated To Exercise?

Here’s a fact: Right now, I am the fattest I’ve ever been in my whole life. Period. End of story. I have all the respect in the world for Crystal Renn and every woman who can love her body no matter what size it is, but I am not that woman. (Granted, not being that woman is probably part of the problem, but what-ev-er.) Keep reading »

Did Queen Latifah Get Photoshopped Thinner In Her “Just Wright” Poster?

I was poking around on Apple’s iTunes Movie Trailers site this weekend, when I noticed the poster for Queen Latifah and Common‘s new movie, “Just Wright,” looked a little, well, just wrong. I know the Queen is a Jenny Craig spokeswoman and has lost some weight over the past couple of years, but this much? The angle is flattering, and it’s hard to tell with Common’s arms wrapped around her. Still, it looks to me like someone has gone in, thinned her up, and given her a boob-lift. Sure, this is the Hollywood way of doing things, but it feels lame, especially considering Queen Latifah seems like one of those people who would actually not really care about what anyone thought of her body but herself. Decide for yourself after the jump. Keep reading »

Dear Wendy: “Why Can’t Women Embrace Their Curves?”

I’m a 19 year-old college student and I recently met a girl at a party who was very pretty, smart and nice. We talked for a good half hour and seemed to be hitting it off. We even exchanged email addresses. Then, things suddenly went downhill. I commented that she had a “really nice, hourglass figure.” I thought she would take it as a compliment but instead she became deeply offended. I went into damage control mode and tried to clarify my comments but I think I only made things worse when I used the term “healthy.” With a look of complete disgust, WHAP!, she slapped my face and departed. As I was standing there alone rubbing my cheek, with my friends nearby laughing at me, I was wondering why she was so offended. She had a classic hourglass figure — quite busty, narrow waist, shapely hips/legs. Why can’t women embrace their curves? Btw, I do have her email address. Do you think I should send her an apology note or should I interpret the slap in the face as another way of saying she does not want to see me again? — Kevin

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Devil’s Advocate: Garance Doré On The Plus-Size Model Debate

When it comes to the fashion industry size debate, even we admit that as much as opposing sides keep launching rockets, it often feels like a peace treaty will never come to be. After seeing such incremental changes towards a healthier body standard, we sometimes feel like raising our shoulders and saying, “So what are you going to do?” You get a wave of “normal” or “plus-sized” fashion shoots that get good press, but the attention is often treated as a trend and an unsettling novelty that only recedes back into the shadows once the hype dies down. It’s undeniably frustrating and disheartening.

One of our favorite fashion photography bloggers, Frenchie Garance Doré is experiencing some heat for some controversial comments she recently made about size. Keep reading »

I Have Body Dysmorphic Disorder

When I was a kid, I wasn’t allowed to have a full-length mirror in my room. My Jewish mother loathed hearing me complain about how fat I was and refused to invest in one. I never made the purchase for myself until I was a freshman in college—and even then my mom questioned whether or not I should buy it. Now, I’m a 22 year-old fashion student and while I own a full-length reflector, I keep it at a slant. The incline makes me appear slimmer. But it’s never enough.

See, I have Body Dysmorphic Disorder. I look at my reflection and see something that just isn’t there. You could say I have an eating disorder, but I’ve never been able to fully starve myself or binge and purge. I am 5’3” and weigh 115 pounds. But when I look in the mirror, I see a girl who is 150+. Keep reading »

I Was Never An Ugly Duckling

I borrowed my mom’s photo album of my kid/teenager photos last week, as part of my attempt to come to terms with my childhood and figure out how I got where I am today. One thing struck me when I was leafing through the album: I was never ugly.

Ever since I can remember, I’ve thought of myself as ugly. Read more Keep reading »