Europeans Continue Coming to Their Senses
Posted by Cyn | Filed under Health, Size Acceptance
About models and the effects of the media on body image in their populations, at least. Following Spain’s move last year that banned ultra-thin models from catwalks, France is acting. The “French parliament’s lower house adopted a groundbreaking bill Tuesday that would make it illegal for anyone — including fashion magazines, advertisers and Web sites — to publicly incite extreme thinness.”
British researchers are also recommending action. “With constant images of stick-thin, size-zero models, tiny-waisted pop princesses and actresses is putting young girls’ health at risk and fueling the rise in eating disorders, according to Professor Janet Treasure of the Eating Disorders Research Unit at Kings College London.”
It’s a relief to know that, somewhere in the world, people are paying attention to this stuff. It’s tiresome to hear the constant folderol about the “obesity epidemic” here in the U.S., with almost no balancing coverage.
Tags: body image, eating disorders, fashion, Health, women
Color Clues, or Why Four Blue Sweaters Isn’t Enough
Posted by Cyn | Filed under Art
“Another blue sweater? You have four of those. Why not get something different for a change?”
“No, I have navy, cornflower, Williamsburg, and baby blue sweaters. This one is royal blue. That’s totally different!”
Okay guys, I know that you thought women were making up some of the color names we use. Chartreuse? Why not say green? And garnet—that’s red, right? What’s this about plum, amethyst, grape, violet, mauve, and fuschia all being different? They’re all purple, aren’t they?
No, really, they aren’t. We don’t make them up just to vex you. They’re all very, very different, which is why we would never consider wearing brick red lipstick with a cherry red sweater. Ick!
Now there’s help for you. Free help, even! Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: Art, color, fashion, Needlework, reference, web
Spain bans unhealthily thin models
Posted by Cyn | Filed under Feminism, News, Size Acceptance
In a very unpopular move, Spain has banned appearances by fashion models who’s body mass index is too low.
Italy is considering following suit. The language in the legislation makes it clear that the purpose of the ban is to encourage healthier media images, due to the growing incidence of eating disorders diagnosed every year.
Frankly, I can’t begin to imagine the U.S. government even considering that kind of legislation. We do have a freer press here (on the surface, at least), but that doesn’t explain all the differences.
Tags: BMI, body image, eating disorders, fashion, Feminism, girls, healthier media images, Italy, models, self-esteem, Spain, U.S. government, women