Forget size zero — let’s see some real women
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THE fashion industry’s size zero debate has been rumbling on for years but when the image of gaunt-looking model, Codie Young, appeared on Topshop’s online homepage last month, it prompted another public outcry.
Campaigners were opposed to Codie’s waif-like frame being used by the fashion chain to sell clothes.
Topshop removed the image from their site but included another picture of Codie taken from a different angle wearing a coat.
Although they insist she is a UK size 8, critics argued Codie appeared to look more like a size zero (UK size 4).
Cosmetic giant L’Oréal, was forced to pull ad campaigns featuring Pretty Woman star Julia Roberts and supermodel Christy Turlington last month after the advertising watchdog upheld complaints by Lib-Dem MP Jo Swinson that the images were overly airbrushed.
We asked women in the Eastgate Centre what they think about size zero models and if women feel more pressure to have the so-called, perfect body
Heather Jackman (33) an implementation consultant for a software company from Polfalden Kennels, Gollanfield.
"I think seeing size zero models in magazines does put more pressure on women," she said.
"I think it also causes some controversy with the whole eating disorder situation.
"One of my friends has been bulimic for the past 15 years.
"I have also noticed more and more young people are aware of their weight.
"There should be curvier women in magazines as the images we see are not showing the real person."
Catriona Robertson (38) an office worker from Croyard Road in Beauly.
"As long as women are healthy I don’t think there is a problem," she said.
"I do think magazines put pressure on women as the models are all so skinny.
"People forget that Marilyn Monroe was a size 16 and she looked great.
"Evans is one of the few shops where I can buy clothes.
"I suppose they are trying to change the industry a wee bit as I have read that at the fashion shows in London, the models have to have a certain body mass index to be allowed to do the shows.
"Celebs like Posh Spice put pressure on new mums to lose weight though as she loses her baby weight in a fortnight."
Margaret Matheson (55) a sales assistant at Phase Eight in the Eastgate shopping centre, from Maxwell Drive in Dalneigh.
"I don’t think it’s so much older women but certainly younger girls who want to be the girls in these magazines," she said.
"I think it’s very few and far between to find women who are that size.
"We have size 8 in our shop but we sell more sizes 14 to 16.
"You see Victoria Beckham go back to the size she was before having her children in a short time so I don’t think she is a good role model.
"I know after I had my son all I wanted was a cup of tea and some chocolate.
"I know some magazines have tried to use size 12 or 14 models but it would be good to have more real women in magazines."
Anna Morrison (29) has a honours degree in nutrition and food and is just about to start her new job as a home economics teacher at Inverness Royal Academy next week. She lives in Torr Gardens in Dores.
"I think it’s awful," she said. "You don’t see many size zero clothes in the shops here but even size four or six is skeletal.
"I think we are all caught up in trying to get the perfect body image.
"Some magazines also don’t help when they print pictures of celebrities looking bad on holiday or zooming in on their cellulite.
"I read somewhere about children as young as six being on diets which is scary.
"I also feel really sorry for my friends who have just had children as they feel pressure to get the body they had before they were pregnant.
"There is too much pressure on young people today.
"I really like Adele, she’s a good role model as she’s really happy and has a lovely figure.
"I don’t think the fashion industry will change as it’s been that way since the days of Twiggy.
"I think there will still be skeletons on the catwalk."
