Through the Looking Glass: Which is the thinner gender?
On the recent downsizing of male models
Posted on February 11, 2008
About this time last year, modeling agencies in Spain, Italy and soon thereafter in the United States were required to measure the body mass index of all of their female models. This was an attempt to dissolve the unhealthy image the fashion world and all of those involved were obtaining by letting taller versions of Nicole Richie walk down the runway. Apparently, while all of their efforts and attentions were focused on the health of female models, the men decided to make the most of the skinny trend and started to weigh dramatically less.
Making efforts to change the weight and appearance of models was sparked last February with the death of Eliana Ramos, 18, a model who died from a heart attack. Her death was shadowed by the memory of her sister Luisel, 22, a model who died in August 2006 shortly after a fashion show in Montevideo, also from a heart attack. Thankfully, there have been some changes in the fashion world since then. However, these only appear to be applying to women—not men.
The problem is the same: Too many models have eating disorders while projecting an unhealthy image that the public interprets as modern day beauty—the only difference is the gender which is perpetuating this problem. The average weight for 6-foot-1-inch male models is around 155 pounds.
George Brown of Red Model Management states, “If they say 188 or 190 [pounds], I know we can’t use them.” This more often than not includes males who are muscular, not fat.
It’s not a surprise that males in the fashion industry are now facing the same problem females have since British fashion icon Twiggy made being skinny the greatest thing since clump free mascara. American fashion follows suit with European trends and what’s in right now is less muscle and more skin tight bodies showing off a little rib. Looking at the American music industry it’s not shocking that the rock gods males are supposed to emulate are pale, super skinny, and weigh less than the young groupies hanging on them.
This isn’t meant to be a man-eating-manifesto in which women can now sit back, laugh, and let males endure the same body image issues we’ve been dealing with since we were 13; rather we should welcome them to the club. Half the problem is the demands to appear attractive in the confining definition of what beauty is right now. The other matter at hand is one Kelly Cutrone, the founder of People Revolution, (a fashion branding and production company) brings up: “People are afraid to look over 21 or make any statement of what it means to be adult.” In an industry where looking young for as long as possible is the ultimate goal, it’s no wonder that this once double standard now equally applies to both ladies and gents. As much we’d like to think that this disease of eating half meals and sweating at the gym until one can’t anymore is contained in the realm of fashion, these problems seep down into the average person’s every day life.
By the time we get to college our acne has finally cleared up, our hormones are a little more in check, and physical awkwardness is now replaced with social awkwardness. No matter how young we are or how beautiful others find us to be, if we stand outside the box of what current beauty is (no matter how unhealthy it may be), we question our worth and value as individuals. Perhaps now that both genders are being judged we can finally realize that beauty is in the eyes of the beholder—not our measurements.
Sarah Delia is a English and art history major.
