Karl Lagerfeld’s right, sort of

Julie Coker-Godson says:

12:45pm | 13/10/09

Karl Largerfeld is as wrong as wrong can be on this issue.  I would much rather see a healthy looking girl with sufficient skin infill to prevent me from seeing all her bones than a skeleton.  If the argument is that it is a fantasy then bony skeletons is not much of a fantasy; more like a nightmare.  You see it all the time on the fashion parades.  Not only are the moving bones ugly to look at but they are not good “role models” for the young to aspire to and to make matters worse they don’t even smile.  I wouldn’t smile either if I had to starve myself to look like that and I am not one of the Karl Largerfield “fat mummies” either.

Michelle says:

12:47pm | 13/10/09

I partly agree, fashion is about creating a fantasy and I have worked in women’s magazines and sadly know from experience that if a cover featured an anonymous model (as opposed to celeb), the blonder and thinner she was, the better the sales…

Saying that I am a ‘curvy’ (i.e. boobs and hips) size 10 -and don’t get me started on the use of the word ‘curvy’ as a substitute for ‘fat’ - and watching a fashion parade or seeing a fashion spread featuring a model with no hips or boobs gives me no idea of how the clothes will look on me. If fashion is about shifting product then at least give us an idea of how it will look on us and save us endless trips to the shops…I’d be buying more of it, over the internet if I could get an idea of how it would look. Let’s face it, it’s easier for a designer to get the right ‘hang’ on his (because this debate usually involves male designers) clothes when the female shape does not get in the way. The truly talented designers are the ones that can make clothes look gorgeous on a womanly - and I don’t necessarily mean fat,  - shape. There are plenty out there, we should be buying more from those designers.

stephen says:

12:56pm | 13/10/09

Why Germany is putting only non - models in a magazine, is because skinny girls imply fascist ideals e.g. the third reich. Thinness, or self-control, is supposed to mean narcissism, which is of course what the fuehrer had. Skinny girls also have good health - well, not if there that thin - and we can also assume they don’t spend hours in front of the telly munching crisps. Lagerfeld is right, but for the wrong reason : clothes look better - as we stand and as we walk - if they hang, and not rest on rolls of fat.

Tracey says:

01:14pm | 13/10/09

Tory, I don’t think that it’s the fact that these models aren’t “real” that’s the problem. There’s nothing wrong with fantasy, and with models looking their very best, even if we mere mortals can’t aspire to look that good. What I object to is the implication that “smaller is always better”, even at unhealthy extremes. I’d be rapt to see perfectly proportioned, stunningly attractive size 8s and size 10s. Feature unrealistically beautiful people to promote fashion, sure, but please don’t promote the idea that a gorgeous size 8 would be even more gorgeous if only she were a size 6 or 4… Let’s celebrate beautiful people of all shapes, sizes, and colours. : )

Anna says:

01:14pm | 13/10/09

Finally! An article that doesn’t lament societies obsession with ‘unrealistic’, ‘unhealthy’ models. I find the comments Karl Lagerfeld makes hilarious, and I understand there will be a collective uproar, but only because he hits a point close to home. I have friends who model and one who has recently walked in Europe, and from an insiders perspective (I modelled briefly - I am lucky enough to have been blessed with an 178cm, lean frame…not always ideal!) the majority of models over the age of 18 have to be wary of what they eat, and there is a large amount of scientific literature regarding the health advantages of ‘calorie restriction’ (yes, the name is misleading) I’m not advocating calorie restriction - and definitely don’t apply it! - but it is a complete falsity to argue all models are unhealthy. I have seen the image of the ‘plus size’ model in the American Glamour magazine, and I would not be the least bit surprised if she was far more unhealthy than the majority of catwalk models. The model, by the way, was only 20 years old, and had never had children; while it may be great to applaud different body shapes how can people call that normal? I don’t know one healthy 20 year old (a year younger than myself) that has a stomach like that.

stephen says:

01:16pm | 13/10/09

PS Skinny girls - nor Karl Lagerfeld - ain’t gonna invade Poland.

Bob H says:

01:18pm | 13/10/09

Women use models as ideals and with the obesity and weight problems in society allowing the ideals to be larger may make it acceptable to be even more obese as the model role model slides to normality.  Keep ‘em skinny as a service to society’s general health.

Nedahl says:

01:28pm | 13/10/09

Great piece Tory. I did a post on my blog about Bridgette magazine using only real women from now on, and posted a poll.
41% of women thought they’d love a magazine with only real women in it, while 48% said they’d want a mix of real women and models. 9% said they wanted models only.
I’m not sure whether this would be reflected in sales if magazines actually went this way, but the seed is planted. Wonder the mags will do now.

Jodi says:

01:34pm | 13/10/09

It’s always ‘skinny’ vs ‘curvy’ (i.e fat) in this debate. What about models that are slim or athletic?? Personally I prefer a toned physique over a praying mantis of a tub of jelly anyday. Some models are too skinny and should not be promoted as role models - we just need more healthy active beautiful women (not girls) posing in mags. They had the right idea in the nineties - think Cindy Crawford, Helena Christensen etc.

Jamie says:

01:46pm | 13/10/09

I think both sides are wrong. Why can’t people settle for the middle ground instead of going to one end of some extreme? There doesn’t need to be chubby ladies on the catwalk, but for goodness sake, I would like to see something that doesn’t make me want to start a force-feeding regime on some girls.

There are some beautiful models out there in tip top shape and I think that’s what they should be looking for. Models who are healthy and in good shape. Not overweight, not underweight. At the moment, majority of overseas magazines or catwalk photos (Australian models aren’t as bad) feature the latter. Sometimes, I wince when I see collarbones that protrude enough to function as a soup bowl and ankles made of twigs. I don’t look at the fashion then. All I’m thinking is, “AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!”

_Dave_ says:

01:47pm | 13/10/09

The thing is that I prefer looking at women with curves than the ultra skinny young girls who have a body shape closer to a teenage boy that the Fashion designers (with a large number being female or gay) seem to prefer.

It’s not that strange when you think about it…

I_Exist says:

01:51pm | 13/10/09

I agree with the man!  Furthermore personalities are for ugly people.
Fat people: you make the world less visually appealing (to me); and you are doing damage to your health. 

Anyone that starves themselves is an idiot.  Anyone who overeats is an idiot.

So whilst it might be easier to attack those who have inherited genes which make them skinny, please go for a walk.  And before you say its your genes or a thyroid problem that makes you fat please explain to me why your pets and family are also overweight (same genetic problem in your animal?- what are the odds!).

Emily says:

01:56pm | 13/10/09

In response to Anna, who claims that no healthy 20 year old girl should have a flabby tummy, well congrats to you and your genetically blessed friends for having toned abs but sadly you’re incorrect. I know plenty of girls in their 20s who are size 8-10 and in a healthy weight range but still have a little roll on their tummy when they sit down, and particularly when leaning forward like the girl in the photo you’re talking about.

I’m 25 and have an untoned stomach, cellulite on my thighs and bum, and stretch marks on my hips. And I run marathons.

You can’t always tell how healthy someone is by just looking at them Anna.

D says:

01:59pm | 13/10/09

Yesterday I saw two females, wearing leggings that left nothing hidden, who were so thin they looked like stick figures in a child’s drawing. And there are more and more of them around, amles as well. What a lot of you do not seem to realise is that by making this the goal (God forbid) size, it make it too far out of reach for some - those never meant to be size four - and they give up. That is what this current trend is doing; making it impossible for most so they go the other way. I feel sorry for Lagerfeld if thre mummies he knows are all couch potatoes; maby they are trying to tell him something about his unrealistic fashions. Women were never meant to be straight up and down, look at art through the ages: how often is there a skin and bone subject painted? Only in death scenes.

Annh says:

02:07pm | 13/10/09

Fashion is partly about fantasy, but it is mostly abou selling clothes.  When I see a model whose thighs are as thin as her calves I don’t see the dress that she is wearing and if I do I assume that it won’t look good on me.

Billy Pilgrim says:

02:27pm | 13/10/09

I dunno guys, it all can sound a wee bit like sour grapes sometimes, I don’t think KL is entirely wrong there.
The marketing of fashion is about trying to present and sell an image that we know isn’t real, and frankly haute couture isn’t supposed to be accessible to ‘normal’ people anyway

PeterM says:

02:50pm | 13/10/09

No, the so-called “mummies” aren’t alone.  Maybe it’s relevant what men think of these anorexic displays if indeed it’s true that women dress for men.  I see some of these skinny women with hips that look they could scythe into you and shudder at the idea that they’re supposed to be attractive looking like that.  To me, they appeal to the pederast, not to mature people.  They need feeding up for the next 10 years until they turn at least 21…. well, that’s the impression they give.  Yukk!

Another Anne says:

03:01pm | 13/10/09

The problem is that we have significantly overweight and even obese people trying to cash on this “real body” craze by calling themselves curvy, in an effort to downplay their image. But there is a huge difference between curvy and obese - one is healthy, the other isn’t.  People shouldn’t starve themselves into anorexia, but they shouldn’t gorge themselves to Jabba the Hutt-dom either.

Julie Coker-Godson says:

03:04pm | 13/10/09

@Billy Pilgrim:  Well its about time haute couture was available to the ‘normal’ people.  Why would it be sour grapes?  Who on earth really, truthfully, wants to look like some of these ironing boards?  There’s nothing to be jealous of.  Did you see the photo of Karl Largerfeld with the article? Did anyone notice the expression on his face with the very ‘pursed’ lips”. He won’t change, he’s defiant and belligerent with his recent spray.  He should just be “sent to coventry”!

Anna says:

03:12pm | 13/10/09

Emily, you are absolutely right, you can’t always tell how healthy people are from appearances. Like I said before, it isn’t particularly ideal to be tall and lean, especially when you constantly get sarcastic comments like the one’s you posted. Or, on the other hand we get comments from primitive males who call ‘thin’ women disgusting.
If you run marathons, congratulations; I can barely run a block - our bodies are different and that is what makes life interesting! Unfortunately, - and let me clarify that I say this completely objectively - women or men that run marathons and are extraordinarily healthy don’t usually have extra rolls (stretch marks are a different story) Nevertheless, the comment I made was in the context of the fashion industry, do we want our magazines and catwalks littered with women with belly rolls? According to what sells clothes - in 2009 - the answer remains a firm no.

Andrew says:

03:12pm | 13/10/09

If designers like Karl Lagerfeld feel that only waifs should display their clothing on the catwalks then perhaps they should also stop manufacturing them above size 6 and risk a narrowed market and profit.  He also should be one of the last people to criticize looks.  He looks like Dr. Smith (from Lost in Space) in drag!

Julie Coker-Godson says:

03:13pm | 13/10/09

@Another Anne:  even if people are obese and overweight, we should be careful in our criticism as it may well make matters worse.  Being constructive without being judgemental and offering support when they try to lose weight is a far better option.  If they want to “cash in” on the so called “real body” craze, let them - they get to keep their confidence if nothing else.  What is the “real body craze”?  Who has defined it and what is the criteria?  I personally think that there are as many people who don’t want to see obese or overweight people on TV (the weight loss shows) as there are those who do.  Why should only the lean, taut and terrific get a look in or “cash in”?

Have a giggle says:

03:21pm | 13/10/09

Too true Billy Pilgrim. People just need to have a laugh and stop taking life so seriously, of course we will never look like models. Karl’s comment made me snort like a pig, haha, come on guys, did you expect anything less?

Even models don’t look like models (without makeup, lighting, clothing, photoshop etc) it’s a fantasy. I love the fantasy. It’s a form of escapism from the ho-hum boredom staring back at me from my computer screen. At the end of the day I buy glossy mags to stare at the beautiful images, if I wanted to see ‘normal’ I’d head to my local ‘Fountaingate,” if you don’t like it, then don’t buy them. Simple.

Blah Blah says:

03:30pm | 13/10/09

To Julie Coker-Godson: so it’s ok to bash skinny people but not ok bash fatties..?

How would people react if we spoke about fatties the same way we spoke about skinnies? “I think fat people are disgusting - you’d have to roll her in flour before you found the wet spot…” How did that make you feel?

It’s the same way people talk about “disgusting” protuding collar bones, hip bones…

We’re all so judgemental.

ts says:

03:42pm | 13/10/09

he didn’t put it too well but god i hope he gets his way.  people with poor hand eye coordination stay out of surgery and fatties stay off the catwalk!

bella starkey says:

03:55pm | 13/10/09

Julie Coker-Godson says:03:13pm | 13/10/09

@Another Anne:  even if people are obese and overweight, we should be careful in our criticism as it may well make matters worse.  Being constructive without being judgemental and offering support when they try to lose weight is a far better option

Hey Julie, How abouts not being derogarotory towards skinny people 9 minutes before admonishing others for critcising fatties.

As someone who has been called disgusting, a boy, stick figure, annorexic etc pretty much my entire life i can tell you its incredibly hurtful and generally reeks of envy.

Peter says:

04:40pm | 13/10/09

Fine, if your fantasy is to look like an androgenous starving junkie then go for it.

But real men like curves.  I’d rather my daughter read Ralph or Zoo or Picture, where women have boobs and hips, than the horrid underage boy-substitute pencils props so beloved of gay fashionistas.

Vicki PS says:

04:56pm | 13/10/09

Karl Lagerfeld’s opinion of ‘fat mummies’ doesn’t carry much weight with me (ha ha).  Why would I let a gay man who really doesn’t like women very much tell me how a female should look?

Vicki PS says:

05:04pm | 13/10/09

@AnotherAnne: Well, shame shame shame on those sub-human fat people!  It was smoking, now it’s obesity that is the new apartheid.  All you fat-bashers need to think about how much of your scapegoating is based on spurious health reasons and how much on plain bigotry. 
@Julie Coker-Godson: Fat people don’t need to be patronised, either.

SM says:

05:09pm | 13/10/09

Nicole Ritchie a “yummy mummy”??

Good lord…

The girl from American Glamour magazine is 1000 times more attractive than her

Tim says:

05:30pm | 13/10/09

Vicki,
settle down and go eat a doughnut or something.
Karl Lagerfeld is a stupid little ponce but he has a point.
No one wants to see stick thin wafer models who might blow away if the wind picks up a bit, but neither do we want to see fat models who should have said no to the third helping of pie at dinner.
Everything in moderation people.

Leah says:

05:32pm | 13/10/09

Julie Coker-Godson: you’re right, there are models out there who look like skeletons covered with skin. And it’s disgusting. But most- MOST - of our supermodels and starlets are NOT like that. Just as examples: look at Miley Cyrus, Miranda Kerr, Emma Watson, Keira Knightley - these are young, slender women who still have meat on their legs and boobs; not the skin-covered skeletons you’re referring to. But still people object to these women being paraded on our magazine covers. Karl is right - sort of. Most people who buy magazines want to see girls like that (even if they have been photoshopped - which I can guarantee they have, if it’s an organised photo shoot rather than paparazzi) and not size 14.

Vicki PS says:

06:43pm | 13/10/09

@Tim:  Let me guess, your body is your temple; your hobbies are working out at the gym, tennis, eating sprouts, tofu and goji berries and sucking on gallons of plastic-bottled water; and your greatest ambitions are world peace and improving your backhand, whichever comes first.  Moderation is just another word for equivocation.  Mmmm, donuts…

Julie Coker-Godson says:

08:24pm | 13/10/09

Blah Blah says:03:30pm | 13/10/09

To Julie Coker-Godson: so it’s ok to bash skinny people but not ok bash fatties..?

Please tell me Blah Blah where I said that it was OK to bash skinny people but not ok to bash fatties in my previous posts.  I said no such thing and please don’t put words into my mouth.  One of the main problems with this whole issue is that there are the Largerfelds of this world who claim that they set the standard.  Well, they don’t.  I do agree with your comment that we’re all judgemental:  and that is another aspect of this issue.  No-one has the right to be telling anybody how they should be in physical form, nor should they claim some superiority because they are obese/not obese etc…

Julie Coker-Godson says:

08:34pm | 13/10/09

bella starkey says:03:55pm | 13/10/09

Julie Coker-Godson says:03:13pm | 13/10/09

@Another Anne:  even if people are obese and overweight, we should be careful in our criticism as it may well make matters worse.  Being constructive without being judgemental and offering support when they try to lose weight is a far better option

Hey Julie, How abouts not being derogarotory towards skinny people 9 minutes before admonishing others for critcising fatties.

@Bella Starkey:  I am not being derogatory towards the models I see on the catwalk and who when interviewed have stated quite baldly that they hardly eat anything.  Its not right to have to starve for the sake of some pumped up fashion designer who thinks that rake thin looks are good.
I was always taught when I was young that it was impertinent to make comments about a person’s physique and so it is and I have never done so.  Arguments can be put for both sides with regards to the insults each throws at the other on this issue.  And then, as you have said, there are those who for various reasons cannot gain weight or cannot lose weight.  I note from some of the posts on here that some posters don’t accept medical reasons for obese people.  Well they should think again because thyroid function is one of the most vital in the human body for regulating metabolism and there is a disease called Hashimoto’s Disease which is incurable and can be fatal if left untreated.  Look it up on google.  I stand by my comments.

Julie Coker-Godson says:

08:42pm | 13/10/09

@Vicki PS says:05:04pm | 13/10/09
“@Julie Coker-Godson: Fat people don’t need to be patronised, either”
Nobody was patronising you; I have read and reread my posts and I don’t know how you came to that conclusion. If I could I’de send you a current photo of myself. Perhaps that would make you feel better. I know of what I speak, believe me.

Julie Coker-Godson says:

08:52pm | 13/10/09

@Leigh:  We also have Elle McPherson , Jessica Hawkins and Lara Bingle (just off the top of my head).  I agree with you and what you are saying.  It is just that Largerfeld really got under my skin with his comments, coming as they did under his photograph; the expression on his face really says it all and that got me hot under the collar; not just for thin girls or obese girls, but for all women of all body shapes and I say that without a trace of condescension or patronising.  This man’s attitude is appalling.  Like I said earlier “send him to “coventry”.

anna says:

10:20pm | 13/10/09

I agree and disagree I think people who talk about bony people on here don’t know what they’re talking about. You can be just as healthy meaning not vomiting and eating enough food etc. Bony people do not have to have a stereotype. Stop representing something you don’t understand.

suze says:

10:25pm | 13/10/09

I look at the clothes, hair and makeup, couldn’t give a crap about the clothes hanger which is all the models actually are. I’m morbidly curious so i like to see all types of figures presented.  I prefer John Galliano to Largerfeld. Galliano is edgy.  It’s not just chubby wubby mummies that take offense, I’m a skinny mummy and i think he’s being a knobhead. It’s what one magazine? He sounds more threatened and defensive then anything.  Just don’t use those damn celebrities!  Why do people fantasize about being in these magazines, i think that’s crazy.
In the words of Frankenfurter, “Don’t dream it, be it!”

Vicki PS says:

11:21pm | 13/10/09

@Julie Coker-Godson: Perhaps I am over-sensitive to the issue, but not all fat people regard their weight as a medical problem needing to be cured: nor do they necessarily want to lose weight.  I guess my point is that many fat people are just sick and tired of being regarded as abnormal, whether or not it is with kindly intent.  My apologies for snapping at you.
Also, I was careful not to specify whether or not I was fat myself, but you and Tim the donut boy have assumed that I am.  In all sincerity I ask, why is that?  Tim’s instant reaction of throwing a food insult at me, for example, reinforced my view that dislike of fat on other people is just a form of socially sanctioned bigotry. (I’m not accusing you of that, Julie). 
There’s always a section of the population that need a minority to feel superior to, so they can act out their insecurities and throw bricks with impunity.  Fat people are just the latest incarnation.

Lexi says:

08:17am | 14/10/09

(a) Who is Largerfeld to think he can speak for everyone (“no-one wants to see”)?  I could equally say “no-one wants to see (or hear from) that wrinkled, orange half-wit who plays with girls clothes all day”.
(b) Models are just clothes horses to him - women are not what he finds attractive per se, so why is his opinion on what makes a woman attractive relevant?
(c) Many, many heterosexual men love women having tits and bums and curves. Always have, always will - because the hourglass figure demonstrates fertility. Equally, some guys are leg-men, hair-men etc.
(d) Having something to aspire to is one thing, making it completely unrealistic and unhealthy is another. 
(e) Mothers can tell their daughters what is real or not as much as they like.  Research has demonstrated that children under 8 cannot understand that advertising is not helpful and informative, it is actually a way to make you buy.  Same goes for selling the notion of appropriate body image - if children are bombarded with unhealthy images - fat or thin - from an early age, it will set their internal expectation of what is “normal”.
(f) Women and girls need to see a wide range of female body shapes in the media.  There is not just fat and thin, there is hourglass, apple, petite, athletic etc.  The healthy forms of each type are all beautiful and all worthy of being captured on the pages of glossy mags.

Callie says:

08:46am | 14/10/09

Sorry, but if any ‘real’ woman looks at herself in the mirror and believes she doesn’t belong on the pages of a fashion magazine, it’s because of the constructs of society - dictated to us by dicheads such as Mr Lagerfeld - not that she doesn’t ‘deserve’ be there.

As a 25-year-old healthy size 10 with a round belly and height of 5ft 5 1/2in, I will never make it into the pages of a fashion magazine but that does not mean a) clothes don’t look banging on me or b) I am not gorgeously hot.

This is said slightly tongue in cheek and without arrogance by the way, just illustrating a point. There are many women of many dimensions and physical features that this applies to.

There are more voluptuous mamas than there are pretentious gay men in the world, yet why are they the ones who run the fashion show?

Tim says:

08:55am | 14/10/09

Vicki,
why is telling you to eat a doughnut a fat insult?
Maybe that’s just the way you took it because you are too oversensitive on the issue. I can’t see the part of my comment where i mentioned you being fat at all, can you?
Sometimes bigotry might just be in the pie of the beefholder?

Owen says:

09:24am | 14/10/09

It takes hard work and discipline to be genuinely healthy and gorgeous. You need to eat well (but not too well, it’s important to have the occasional treat), and exercise a good amount. THIS is the kind of thing that young men and women could be aspiring to - to be as healthy as they can be.

Matty says:

09:34am | 14/10/09

We should just look after our bodies, that is, it is healthier to be trim not boney and not obese.  Everyone is entitled to their opinion and we all have our own image of whats beautiful.  That is why we all come in different shapes and sizes.  Just because someone says that women should be sticks that doesn’t mean thats the end of peoples choice.  It all comes down to our primitive reproductive urge.  I prefer to lie on flesh than a bag of bones when I perform.  Karl prefers the bones because that is what he usually sees, someones back.  I don’t think he is in the position to tell everyone what right or wrong.  I have tried to love as many women, with many shapes and sizes as I can. To all you ladies out there, don’t listen to what the news say, don’t believe what you read - just believe your partners are excited about you just the way you are.  I’ll take the smorgasbord thanks. Vivez la différence!

Bitten says:

10:16am | 14/10/09

Bravo to him for having the balls to put a non-politcally correct opinion out there - I am so sick of the ‘Oooh, I find that offensive’ cheersquad.

watto says:

10:45am | 14/10/09

Kate for Premier! This state needs some fresh talent.

m says:

10:53am | 14/10/09

@ Julie Coker-Godson; Jessica Hawkins? Have you ever heard of Jessica’s much more prolific, famous cousin named Jennifer Hawkins? How about you check your ‘facts’ before submitting them.

I do not see why his attitude is appalling; after all, he is entitled to one. I think you became so ‘hot under the collar’  from his comment just because he has an international media platform at his fingertips and alas, you do not.

Catty says:

12:11pm | 14/10/09

I’d rather look like a fat mummy than an Egyptian mummy.

Steve says:

12:43pm | 14/10/09

Karl is right. Models are meant to be skinny, stop complaining!

Julie Coker-Godson says:

01:43pm | 14/10/09

@ m:  Mea culpa!  Yes, it is Jennifer Hawkins and sorry about the boo boo!  says:entirely my fault as I couldn’t recall her name off the top of my head.
Re your comments: ” I do not see why his attitude is appalling; after all, he is entitled to one. I think you became so ‘hot under the collar’  from his comment just because he has an international media platform at his fingertips and alas, you do not. ”  Wrong, now it’s you who should check your facts (thoughts).  I do not envy his international media platform at all but I do resent him trying to tell women what he thinks they should look like on the catwalk and I stand by my comments made in my earlier posts.  This man uses his platform in the media to INFLUENCE the way people think about what women should look like in the models he chooses. THAT is what makes me hot under the collar.  You might like to ask me what I think before telling me what you think I think.

Vicki PS says:

03:43pm | 14/10/09

I think everyone understands that catwalk models are skinny, long-legged, flatchested etc. because the clothes they model hang best on their shape.  No problem with that as far as it goes, although the designs being modelled are usually unwearable by normal women.  The problem is that designers are selling a look.  It’s not the shape of the mannequins per se that women think they should emulate, it’s the look, the style—and that simply cannot be achieved if you have a normal body shape.  Women aspiring to follow fashion are almost doomed to be disappointed unless they can force their body size and shape into the mannequin template.

girl says:

06:03pm | 14/10/09

boy after lagerfelds comments, i feel like a fatty at a size 8 !!!

Another Anne says:

08:29pm | 14/10/09

@Julie Coker-Godson - I wasn’t criticising fat people. I was pointing out that some of them describe themselves as “curvy” when they are in fact clinically overweight. In other words, “denial” is not just a river in Egypt. Describing themselves as curvy and not accepting the reality may be good for the self-esteem but it’s not so good for their long-term health. That’s not criticism, it’s a medical fact. And I think I also said that it’s not healthy or normal for people to starve themselves either. But you obviously just see what you want to see. That’s okay. Don’t let the facts get in the way of a good histrionic rant, will you?

Arthur says:

08:30pm | 14/10/09

Tory, the fact that you ask women if they belong in the pages of a fashion magazine and then hazard a guess that the answer is “No!” is part of the sickness. You can’t seem to question the status quo of the fashion industry because your viewpoint is hopelessly embedded within it! Why on earth normal women can’t be stars in the fantasy world of fashion really beats me. To my way of thinking it shows a creative bankruptcy on the part of these fashion gurus. A women who knows the alchemy of dressing well can magnify her beauty no matter what her shape or size. I fail to see why the fashion world cannot reflect the diversity of women’s beauty found in the real world.

Bonnie says:

08:33pm | 14/10/09

To Stephen - You can’t be serious. How you managed to draw comparisons between models and Hitler is beyond me. Life is not a storybook and not everything has allegorical connotations. Have you considered that market demands are changing? If you were cultured enough to actually visit Germany you would realise that there are no conspirators with fingers in all corporate pies trying to stop a recurrence of WWII. This is mainly for the fact that it would never happen again - Hitler’s uprising happened due to a culmination of events, a perfect storm which had civilians choose between continued impoverishment, communism and the ‘better life’ Hitler promised - it never would have happened if they had known what would ensue.
Further regarding the issue at hand - If the kind of weight depicted on catwalks was natural then models would be able to maintain it past their teens and twenties. Look at models such as Megan Gale who, while most definately not fat, isn’t brittle like cat walk supermodels. There is slim and attractive and then there is sick. One needs to be able to draw the line between the two without labelling the former as fat or lazy.

Catty says:

09:20pm | 14/10/09

The Egyptian Mummy part of my comment was referring to Karl Lagerfeld himself not the models.

cats says:

05:56pm | 15/10/09

The people who whinge about seeing skinny girls on the catwalk are jelous. No, not jelous because they want to look like that, jelous because people who are unlike them are the ones being shown in a powerful and glamorous position. I am so right about this, don’t try and argue. And the line about “oh its bad self image for young girls” really is just to cover up their jelousy. I’m a size 6 and i love it. I’m also 5"4 so i’m not model tall. BTW, if it exists.. its real. Fat people need to stop calling themselves real and others fake.

kaz says:

01:25am | 16/10/09

I accept the fact that there are “real” women out there, i see them every day, and it doesnt mean that I’d want to see more of them. Bring on them skinny bitches

im so sick of it says:

06:15pm | 18/10/09

I see beautiful women who clearly have issues with their self-esteem denigrate other women so they can feel better about themselves. Who knows where it comes from…from the fashion industry…from society saying a woman’s value only comes from a man wanting “root’ her…we live in a plastic world with plastic people…

Rascally says:

09:09pm | 18/10/09

Owen - why should I spend hours and hours every week monitoring everything that goes in my mouth and making sure I exercise? Bugger that - I’m going to die anyway, I’m going to eat, and drink and smoke and shag and likely other things I shouldn’t,  and go out and have a bloody good time doing all of it.  I’m fat, and I don’t care if you’re fat, or stick thin, and stereotypically “fit” or short or tall, I too am sick of this needling, stabbing hate towards one another… why the hate?  People do their own thing and have to live with the bodies they have.  It’s frankly no-one elses business how healthy others are or even if they’re unhealthy - what, we all have to live to be 100.  Bugger that too!
As for Karl - well he can have whoever he wants modelling his clothes - I don’t earn enough money to be able to buy them even if they did fit.

Aims says:

12:50pm | 19/10/09

The reason we have skinny, pubescant boy like models is because they dont detract from the articles of clothing being worn. In the time of Marilyn Monroe, women that were curvacious were all over the cat walk, but soon designers realised that people were coming to see the beautiful women rather than the beautiful clothers and started to hire twigs. I think that Karl could have put what he said a lot nicer instead of turning to a form of bullying (which lets face it, is what he did), i do generally agree with what he says and I agree with this article. I buy Vogue and others alike to see the clothes, not the women! If I wanted to see real women i buy real womens mags. I think people need to quit complaining!!