New York Fashion Week kicked off last Thursday.
I have always been interested in fashion. To me, fashion is an art form that expresses who we are inside on the outside; it is a form of freedom of speech. However, when I flip though fashion magazines or watch runway shows, I always end up admiring the models just as much, if not more, than the clothes they flaunt. Often times, this admiration turns into slight jealousy of their perfectly proportioned bodies.
But for a lot of models, those bodies are results of some dangerous and unhealthy behaviors.
It is a tough world when you are 5'10", weigh 120 lbs, and are being told you are fat, especially if your job depends on your looks. This is the very tough, but real, world that fashion models live in. Since not everyone is born with size zero genes, many models have found ways to survive the intensely competitive industry through eating disorders. As of 2007, 40% of fashion models suffered from some form of eating disorder, and the harsh reality is that this number is on the rise.
In 2006, 21-year old Brazilian model Ana Carolina Reston died from complications of anorexia. At 5'8", she weighted just 88 lbs.
But unfortunately, due to Hollywood and this image-obsessed society we live in, eating disorders are no longer associated only with fashion models. 24 MILLION Americans suffer from eating disorders today.
I believe the most effective way to reduce this number is education. Men and women need to be educated about the risks associated with the different kinds of eating disorders. Healthy body images need to be promoted through the media. And those who have unfortunately already fallen victim need to know that there are support groups that will help them through the recovery process.
On that note, I would like to give a big shout out to OneStopPlus, a plus-size retailing company. OneStopPlus is the company that is responsible for the FIRST EVER plus-size fashion show during the New York Fashion Week. The show will take place on September 16th.
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