Friday, February 9, 2007

New York Fashion Week & The Models

Aside from the clothes and celebrities, another popular target of photographers at the New York Fashion Week are the models. However, this year there was a controversy surrounding the weight (or lack there of) of girls walking down the runways after a young Brazilian model died from eating disorder.

Unlike the steps taken by Milan and Madrid recently, where models were weighed in and required to meet a certain BMI (body mass index) criteria, New York City instituted its own non-binding requirements for the models: girls under 16 will not be allowed to walk the runways, and no alcohol or cigarettes are allowed around the models.

According to Diane von Furstenberg
, President of Council of Fashion Designers of America, the aim of the program was to bring awareness of eating disorders to the people working in fashion. When asked what she thinks of mandatory weigh in of models, Ms. von Furstenberg said, "Over my dead body!"













The first (blurry) photo above was my only shot of a model walking towards the tents at Bryant Park. The paper bag she was holding is from PAX, a deli around the corner from the park. So is that her lunch??

The second photo was a series of lighted advertisement panels near the subway station in Bryant Park. They were sponsored by the New York Times newspapaer.

So what do you think of this controversy about super skinny girls? Should fashion shows have a minimum weight requirement for the models?









10 comments:

Olivier said...

je vois que tu as mis en lien, les blogs photos joesnyc. c'est l'un de mes blogs photos sur NYC preferes.
Je te souhaite un bon Week end avec les modeles du NYC Fashion Week


I see that you put in bond, the blogs photographs joesnyc. it is one of my blogs photographs on NYC prefer. I wish you good Week end with the models of the NYC Fashion Week

Dsole said...

so Ming, what do you think about that? I think fashion world have the risk of becoming distorted if we don't move a finger... the pity is that we have to absolutely move it. What we do in Madrid for me was OK. Health is more important than money or extravagant trends

Ming the Merciless said...

dsole - Yes, I think the fashion industry needs to promote a healthier image for girls (and boys). This obsession with super skinny models is ridiculous!! The press said models from the 80s like Cindy, Elle, Claudia and Christie would be considered "too fat" now because they were all size 4-6. Now, they want models size 2-4.

Anonymous said...

Let them starve, I don't care. Who needs the decadence?

isa said...

Personally, I am not easily influenced by anyone, but I can see how it could affect young kids. We are a nation of extremes! Look at the Tyra Banks controversy! I wish I was as "fat"" as she is ;-)

angela said...

The clothes are designed for these waifs to look good in so how can we normal sized people know how the clothes will suit us.
I don't like the idea that healthy looking is now equated with fat.

www.DeltaMovies.com said...

It's simply outrageous that our society has come to the ridiculous assessment that the modern picture of feminine beauty paraded during fashion shows and media outlets, is a starving, boney, skinny, emotionless female. It's really quite frightening.

In the recent movie, 'Little Miss Sunshine' an effort is made towards the end to highlight the early pre-pubescent roots of these distorted images of feminine beauty.

In a recent poll of American men I read..somewhere...I distinctly recall the overwhelming preference for less makeup and a fuller and more healthy figure.

It really does make me ill to see these starving models nowdays. It's practically revolting.

Just an opinion.

DMov
La.

edwin s said...

I'm thoroughly enjoying Fashion Week series. Were you passing by or are you part of the industry?

Ming the Merciless said...

edwin - thanks!! And no, I'm not part of the industry. I am just a curious passby-er. :-)

Unknown said...

when you look at too skinny a model, you wonder if they eat at all!

this evening, i just happened to see a mini catwalk at a newly opened shopping mall of wedding gowns. beautiful, but th models are a bit skinny. hmmm