Body Image Code and an untouched mag cover to boot
A recommendation for a code of conduct for the fashion industry to hopefully address the increasing body dissatisfaction levels among Australian youth and was presented to the Federal Youth Minister, Kate Ellis. The code recommends disclosure by advertisers, the media and fashion designers regarding digitally manipulated images and use of models under 16 years and older within a healthy weight range. It also encourages the use of a more diverse range of body shapes, sizes and ethnicity. It’s a start and I hope those with clout take notice.
Just to add to it, well known 37 year old mother of two and Australian model Sarah Murdoch (nee O’Hare) is appearing on the cover of Australian Woman’s Weekly (apparently) totally un-photoshopped. This is the image…
What do you think?
I love that cover. Holy wow, she looks real and happy and wonderful
I think she’s gorgeous. I also think more models should be shown just like this: yes to hair and make up and fabulous clothes, no to Photoshop.
Baby steps… She’s still thin, blonde, white, and conventionally pretty. But leaving her wrinkles in the photo is a start.
BTW the Body Image report and a summary of the feedback received can be found here: http://www.youth.gov.au/bodyimage.html
It’s a really weird angle, and damn is her lipstick red! However, I like that it’s real and that there are some mags out there that ARE making an effort. She even has laugh lines!
it looks better than the airbrushed images they usually show!
It’s nice to see someone presented as attractive without major photoshopping. It seems like a small thing, but sadly, in today’s airbrushed world, it’s not. I thought “where are the other women her age on covers”, and of course they’re everywhere – but photoshopped to look 20.
I so needed to see this… Now that I’m struggling with my own body image issues. A real face, at last!
if i may post this link for you all –
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYhCn0jf46U
it’s part of dove’s campaign for real beauty… it’s no wonder our daughters (and our selves) have become so disconnected from the beauty of reality, of the self. we see images, and compare our flawed faces and bodies to these images. i wonder, though, how the models themselves feel, when they seem their image distorted so. do they then question their real beauty? do they feel inadequate.
i guess this is not so much an issue of fat or thin but of self love, esteem, confidence, and the knowledge that it is OK to be yourself. this is the message we must hand down to our daughters. to be comfortable in your own skin. to be confident. to be healthy. to be.
Sarah at her most beautiful. REAL. It’s good to see. And a damn good start.