Ok, for the record, I am not a fan of VS. About 20 years ago, I received a gift from VS - a bathrobe - it was pink (of course!) 100% pure cotton & it was awesome! - I wore it completely out! -but otherwise, nope, I don't care for their clothing/lingerie line at all.
That said, I just read the article on CNN about the upcoming VS fashion show. While I recognize that some people really do go for that kind of stuff, I find it annoying and a little disgusting how the models are "worshipped". It sends such a horrible message to girls all over the world, but especially in body-obsessed America. Here's a quote from the article:
These angels aren't always naturally blessed with the bodies they have. Many of the models follow a strict diet and exercise regimen. Lima admited to The Telegraph that she has been working out with a personal trainer every day since August.
Fast-forward to nine days before the show, and the only thing she eats or drinks are protein shakes made with powdered eggs. Speed up to the final 12 hours, and Lima doesn't consume a speck of anything -- not even water.
"No liquids at all, so you dry out. Sometimes you can lose up to eight pounds just from that," Lima told The Telegraph.
Protein shakes made with powdered eggs? Ugh.
12 hrs before the show... and not even WATER? lose up to 12 lb just from that?!?!?! ...that is SO unhealthy and, well, pathetic, IMHO.
While I don't begrudge a model for being a model & therefore being super-thin, I do think that particular model's quote is a horrible message to be sending out to girls - why couldn't the article simply be based on the VS products, the fashion show itself, & not get into how/why the models themselves are so uber-thin?
While that is sad, it's not something that Victoria's Secret came up with or does alone. That's how all fashion shows work. I heard from a friend who does fashion design that models are referred to as "hangers" because of how thin they are, and because they're not supposed to be the focus of the show - the clothes are. I think I read somewhere a couple years ago that in Europe they have a minimum clothing size for models. It's supposed to help keep young girls from seeing size 0 models and thinking that they're fat when they're actually healthy.
I definitely agree that these kind of statements from models can have a negative impact, on young girls especially. Although I don't think it's a secret that models starve themselves a lot of the time. I personally love VS and I actually feel like a lot of their models are more "normal" sized than regular fashion models. Not that they aren't super skinny...but at least in the magazines and commercials, they seem to have a lot more curves or womanly figures than most runway models do. Just my perceptions.
Remember it is their job to look good, and it was their choice to be a model. I personally would never have the self discipline to be a model. I love my food too much
Yeah, we can't really resent the clothing label for being the norm. They actually have crazy vanity sizing. I'm a size 6 in Victoria's Secret jeans, and a Size 11 juniors ? yeah. :/ It's flattering, yes, but a lie... lol
I definitely agree that these kind of statements from models can have a negative impact, on young girls especially. Although I don't think it's a secret that models starve themselves a lot of the time. I personally love VS and I actually feel like a lot of their models are more "normal" sized than regular fashion models. Not that they aren't super skinny...but at least in the magazines and commercials, they seem to have a lot more curves or womanly figures than most runway models do. Just my perceptions.
I agree, I think they seem to have much more womanly figures than a LOT of clothing models you see. Especially the photos you see in their magazine....they're super curvy! And not the annoying "curvy" a lot of stores use instead of "plus size"...they are skinny, curvy women. I think a lot of clothing stores (like Forever 21 and H&M, for example) sell clothes for women whose bodies drop straight down and are hip-less. VS models seem to be the opposite of that. And as a women blessed with evolutionarily favorable wide hips, I appreciate that.
Compared to fashion models... I appreciate VS models. They look more real and healthy to me. As to the comments the model made. Yeah, not wonderful or great but as another commenter said, fitness models do the same kinds of things to cut their figure. It is what it is.
While I DO appreciate that their models are curvier than most (especially considering I have a large bust myself!), I get REALLY upset with their attitude on bra fittings at there stores. Why? Well..
2. I've been treated incredibly rudely there because I have a large bust (30GG at the moment but I've been up to a K cup before) and I was basically told I was "too fat" for the store or they tried to fit me into a bra that fit VERY, VERY badly.
3. They offer way too limited of sizes. They go up to what, a DD or DDD? Way, way too small. Most women need a much smaller back size and a much larger cup size. The average cup size is probably around a DD/DDD today (but in a much smaller back size than what most women are wearing). It makes me pretty annoyed that they don't carry the larger cup sizes but yet promote themselves as THE store for bras.
As for the models themselves, I definitely agree that's something horrible to do and then say afterwards. You better believe young girls are listening!! Most brands that I buy now-a-days are made specifically for curvy women and I love seeing models who look gorgeous and healthy. I mean you just have to look at Versace's recent comments about her H&M line to see how messed up the fashion industry is.
I watched the VS Fashion Show once, back in high school. I remember feeling completely like crap afterwards and not wanting to eat a thing... and this was when I was at my lowest weight of 116! the girls are just unrealistically skinny. I'm just unable to watch it now if I want to avoid feeling inadequate. I prefer curves anyway
I am mortified to hear about the "diet" of Lima though. That is like the definition of unhealthy. I can't believe they would allow them to do that, especially publicly. Pathetic. Seriously.
The skinny on Victoria's Secret
