Some models ARE hungry.

It's not fair to accuse every slim model of having an eating disorder. But it would also be naive - and irresponsible - to claim that all models are naturally thin. Some aren't.

Last month, the Council of Fashion Designers of America held a forum called: "The Beauty of Health: How the fashion industry can make a difference."

Internationally successful model Coco Rocha made a brave speech in which she described the typical day of a model:

"She wakes up in the morning, goes to the bathroom to take a shower and runs by the full-length mirror because she can't bare to look at herself naked. She only weighs 104 pounds, but all she can think is, I need to be thinner.

She hurries to her first show, where she promises herself she'll eat a few grapes. But when she gets there, there's nothing but pastries.

First looks are called, she puts on her dress and it takes three people to zip her up. The dresser makes a joke, 'We almost had to call the agency and tell them you didn't fit.' All the girl can think is, I better not eat until tomorrow."

According to website Fashionologie:

Rocha admitted that the job comes with some very unhealthy habits.  Two years ago, she weighed 108 pounds (at 5'10"), and yet people were stilling telling her "you need to lose more weight.  The look this year is anorexic.  We don't want you to be anorexic, we just want you to look it."  Even crazier, an agent once advised her to throw up after meals.

Eventually, she submitted to the pressure.  "Last season I took diuretic pills. Once I took so many on an empty stomach that I was doubled over for hours. That's the last time I ever did something so terrible to my body."  She asked designers to provide healthier food at their shows — "No one wants to be caught with that photo 'Model Eats Cake'" — and to make their fit models, and therefore their sample sizes, bigger — models are humiliated when zippers won't zip up at castings.

Isn't it great we have a new model contest to watch - Make me a Supermodel - terrific news!

Comments

[Angela]

I was just reading the previous post listing the supermodels in Carla Bruni's time. They were all gorgeous, much more attractive than anyone coming out lately and none of them would probably get a gig these days because they would be too fat. Wouldn't the same apply to Jen Hawkins? An attractive woman has curves. A stick insect is not sexy. The people that run this industry have a lot to answer for.
Bring back curves!

[mtc]

When you look at it in reality, isnt it all just ridiculous? And what makes it so sad, is that fashion, and weight is what some people's life revolves around.

And is it just me, or does this new show 'Make me a Supermodel', completely dissolve Jennifer Hawkins integrity? (and has anyone else noticed her lips looking a bit, well, how should i say, plastic and stretched?)

[Kelly@SHE-POWER]

That is just awful. I don't understand why anyone would put themselves through it? Is modelling really so much fun? Sounds hellish to me.

Kelly@SHE-POWER

[melanie]

This is terrible and designers should get with it and bring sexy back! This gaunt look is tired and doesn't represent what women want. They say the clothes hang better but if they really think that sex sells they should get some women with a little more (or a lot more) meat on their bones.

And if their designs are good enough they should look good on everybody...not just thin women or 12 year olds.

[wollywally]

Sad, sad, sad.

[Maelan]

What I don't understand is why would nothing but pastries be available to eat at a job/casting/ whatever?

Why would they not be providing fruit and veg etc for the models to eat? It makes no sense to me. No wonder they're all starving themselves.

[Den]

We have been down this path before. I will say it again. We the people must shout out "Enough!" We do not want our clothes modelled by emaciated underage girls. We want our clothes modelled by real women with real curves. It compliments the outfit so much better, and the designer will be applauded for it.