Are “Plus Size” Models setting a healthier image for today’s youth?

Robyn Lawley, a healthy size 16 is paving the way for more curvy cover girls.

The recent June 2011 edition of Vogue Italia caused a stir when the magazine featured plus-size models Tara Lynn, Candice Huffine and Robyn Lawley on the illustrious cover of the fashion bible.

While the efforts of Vogue Italia to highlight the curve appeal of the voluptuous models has been welcomed by most, a new study by Italian researchers suggests that using plus-size models on the catwalk and in advertisements could make women fat.

In their paper “Thinness and Obesity: A Model of Food Consumption, Health Concerns, and Social Pressure,” Dr Luca Savorelli and Dr David Dragone from the University of Bologna to assess whether increasing the ideal body weight is socially desirable, both from a welfare and from a health point of view.

The paper cites the relationships between Italy, Germany and Spain and their respective fashion communities to produce more plus-sized clothes and uphold a minimum size for models and question whether this would work in the reverse and increase obesity rather than reduce it. They write in their report:

“If being overweight is the average condition and the ideal body weight is thin, increasing the ideal body weight may increase welfare by reducing social pressure.

By contrast, health is on average reduced, since people depart even further from their healthy weight.

Given that in the US and in Europe people are on average overweight, we conclude that these policies, even when they are welfare improving, may foster the obesity epidemic.”

The pair also said, according to the Daily Mail, in plain English, “To promote chubby fashion models when obesity is one of the major problems of industrialised countries seems to be a paradox.
Everyone has to trade off in life a number of things like the pleasure of eating and going to the gym or something as a cost. So if you just fix the average healthy weight then maybe you will throw up some incentives to be thin.”

Mia Freedman who pioneered the Australian Cosmo ‘Body Love’ policy and the regular use of real women of all shapes, sizes and nationalities back in 1997 when she was the editor of Cosmo weighed in on the issue in her weekly column in Sunday Life magazine.

“So I don’t buy the argument that featuring large women or plus-size models in a positive way is a statement about health. It’s not. It’s an endorsement of diversity, an acknowledgement that no particular size or shape of woman has a monopoly on being attractive or even ‘normal’”.

Robyn Lawley is one of many plus-size models gracing the catwalks and pages of glamorous fashion magazines better known for their penchant for size zero models than plus-size models. Other well known plus-size models include Crystal Renn who has appeared on the catwalk for labels such as Chanel and Jean Paul Gaultier.

While the public, fashion magazines and fashion commentators have largely embraced the plus-sized models, fashion designers are still resisting the plus-size trend.

Karl Lagerfeld has always been vocal about his preference for skinny models. Here’s a quote from the notorious fashion designer.

“No one wants to see curvy women,” he infamously said last October when asked if he thought people wanted to see fuller figures on the catwalk. “You’ve got fat mothers with their bags of chips sitting in front of the television and saying that thin models are ugly.”

However even the influential designer has jumped on the plus-size modelling bandwagon casting Crystal Renn in one of his shows and shooting a plus-size singer Beth Ditto for V Magazine. In time, hopefully other fashion designers will follow in Lagerfeld leather patent shoes and embrace plus-size models.

At size 16, Australian plus-size model Robyn Lawley is proof that you don’t have to be thin to be big in fashion.

Britney Spears helps promote a healthy body image with her new campaign for Candies for Kohls.

Britney Spears, spokesperson for Candies for Kohl’s campaign recently released campaign pictures, before and after airbrushing, to dispel body image issues and promote a healthy body image for her young fans.

There have been significant gains in the last few years in regards to promoting healthy and realistic body shapes and a backlash to unrealistic models being used in fashion magazines and advertising.

Another celebrity to jump on the bandwagon includes Jennifer Hawkins, Myer spokesperson and ex Miss Universe who posed for the February 2010 issue of marie claire magazine sans clothes and airbrushing. This also provided a mixed response from critics who felt it was more of a publicity stunt than trying to promote a healthy body image.

In marie claire’s exclusive interview, Jennifer Hawkins confesses that she never could have done a shoot like this two years ago.

“I would have been worried about what people thought, whether it was the right decision – a thousand different things… But over the past year and a half I’ve grown into myself, and I’m more confident and comfortable within the modelling industry. I did it for the experience… It felt quite sensual and sexy. I felt empowered”.

Bianca Dye who appeared nude in the November 2009 issue of marie claire slammed the magazine and said that pushing a 26-year-old Miss Universe winner as the pin-up for female body confidence is “just not right”.

“She was born beautiful. She has not had to go through any stress to look like that,” Dye told Confidential.

“Jackie Frank is one of the most respected editors in the country and I am in shock that they would say Jennifer Hawkins is a natural role model. It’s like we’ve taken 20 steps backwards.”

In a more positive direction, Sarah Murdoch appeared on the cover of Australian’s Woman’s Weekly last year in an untouched photograph, saying women should be able to embrace the beauty of ageing. The magazine photo shoot coincides with the release of a report by the Federal Government’s body image advisory group.

The Federal Government jumped on the positive body image bandwagon and late last year introduced a new National Advisory Group on Body Image. The Advisory Group will be chaired by former ACP magazine editor Mia Freedman who championed the ‘Body Love’ section in Cosmo magazine.

Members of the advisory group include model and media identity Sarah Murdoch, Girlfriend magazine editor Sarah Cornish, founder of the Butterfly Foundation, Claire Vickery and body image researcher Susan Paxton.

Last year the Government allocated $125,000 to establish the Code of Conduct, which will include consideration of the following issues:

• Clearer notification of altered or enhanced images, including digital alterations.
• Better representation of diverse body shapes and sizes.
• Appropriate industry age limits.

“The Government is committed to tackling negative body image from a national perspective, by helping young Australians to build confidence and resilience against the body image pressures that they face.

“Body image affects the lives of young Australians in very powerful ways and the Government is determined to make a difference over the long term,” said Kate Ellis.

But critics say that Kate Ellis put a four-inch heel wrong and sent mixed messages when she appeared in in Grazia magazine’s annual “Body Image Special”. The young politician donned a pair of killer $1,790 Gucci heels and curve-hugging $695 leather Karen Millen dress that looked more catwalk model than state figure.

Like successful plus-size model Crystal Renn who appeared on the cover of Sunday Life in mid April 2010, only to be upstaged by a stick-thin model a few pages away in the Fashion section, it seems to be a case of one step forward, one step back with designers and fashion editors doing a reluctance dance around the issue of positive body image.

With some designers only providing samples in size six or smaller for photo shoots, magazines can only use models who fit into those sizes.

But with the luxury clothing market taking a major hit in revenue in the Global Financial Crisis while mainstayers like Target and Kmart capitalised on providing affordable clothing, are the elitist designers starting to see the business sense of adding kilos and thus dollar figures to their clothing ranges?

Influential designer Karl Lagerfeld who famously said “No one wants to see curvy women,” seems to have finally embraced plus-sized models and did a photo shoot with the voluptuous burlesque dancer Miss Dirty Martini for V magazine.

Perhaps the tide is finally turning and the fashion industry will do more than pay lip service to promoting a healthy body image.

Buying fashion and beauty products online is an attractive option for a savvy or time poor consumer with attractive discounts on offer and an opportunity to buy products not available in Australia. Here are five of the best Australian and international fashion and beauty online boutiques.

www.net-a-porter.com

NET-A-PORTER.COM is one of the world’s premier online luxury fashion retailer and online boutiques offering both Australian labels such as Sass & Bide, Nicola Finetti, Alice McCall, Willow, Tigerlily and international labels such as Stella McCartney, Lanvin, Christian Louboutin, Prada and Marc Jacobs. NET-A-PORTER.COM is based in London and ships worldwide at a cost of £20 pounds plus tax or a flat £30 pounds if you live in the Americas. Sign up to their VIP newsletter to be one of the first to find about sales, new designers or new products instore.

www.diva.net.au

diva is a leading fashion retailer of women’s fashion jewellery accessories and draw its inspiration from catwalk trends from London, New York, Paris and Tokyo. Their range is updated regularly to reflect seasonal trends and are offered at very competitive prices. Diva currently ships to Australia and New Zealand and charges a flat rate of $13 for shipping or $3 for gift cards to Australia or a flat rate of $13 for New Zealand and $5.50 for gift cards. diva has a very attractive returns policy and will allow a return within a month of purchase (conditions apply). Sign up to their newsletter to keep abreast of sales, competitions and VIP offers.

www.strawberrynet.com

StrawberryNET is an online website that sells discounted cosmetics, perfumes and haircare. They stock famous makeup brands such as Christian Dior, Lancome, MAC and Clinique, hair care brands such as Redken, Tigi, Bumble and Bumble and Aveda as well as a large range of perfumes. The website has a great loyalty scheme so each time you buy products starting from your first order, you are entitled to a discount of up to a maximum of 10%. StrawberryNET also has free shipping and delivers internationally to 40 countries including Australia.

www.etsy.com

Etsy is a huge online marketplace where buyers and sellers from more than 150 countries come together to sell and buy handmade goods. Fashion sold on the website includes clothing, bags and purses and accessories. This is a great website to buy a unique item of clothing from up and coming designers and independent and undiscovered artists and a cheap and quirky alternative to mass-produced fashion. Each seller will specify what countries they ship to, what their shipping cost is and their return policies. Like eBay, remember to check each seller’s feedback to verify you are dealing with a reputable seller.

www.bookdepository.co.uk

The Book Depository is an international online bookstore based in the UK and can provide all your fashion bibles and makeup book needs at a discounted price. Choose from a range of books such as The Sartorialist, The Little Black Book of Style by Nina Garcia of Project Runway fame, A to Zoe by noted stylist Rachel Zoe or Don’t Go To The Cosmetics Counter Without Me by self proclaimed Cosmetic Cop Paula Begoun. The Book Depository ships books free of charge, worldwide, to nearly 90 countries.

Remember to always shop online securely and safely online. Buying from overseas websites may be cheaper but always take note of shipping policies. It may be better to try and buy products with friends or family and share the shipping costs to take advantage of cheap goods and products purchased online.

Bad beauty habits can be sometimes hard to break but with the dawning of a New Year ahead of us, it’s time to start to shake up your beauty routine. Here are five beauty New Year Resolutions to keep you looking your best in the year ahead.

Remove makeup before bed

Wearing makeup to bed can leave your face open to dirt and bacteria and cause breakouts and other skin problems. Sometimes you come home very late and it’s easier to sleep in your makeup but get into the habit of removing your makeup after you brush your teeth and make it a regular part of your routine like removing your contact lenses before you go to bed.

Get into a regular cleansing routine

Get into a regular routine cleansing routine of cleaning your face, moisturising and wearing a sunscreen before you put your foundation and makeup on. At night, everything should be reversed and makeup should be taken off before a cleanser, eye cream and moisturiser is applied.

Fake it until you make it

In a country like Australia where sunbaking is a national pastime, it is sometimes hard to break out of the habit of sun tanning. However, as well as increasing your chances of cancer, exposure to the harsh Australian sun can be very ageing. There are also numerous risks associated with sun beds and solariums. The only ways to get a safe tan is to get a professional spray tan or purchase a do it yourself tanning product.

Get eight hours of sleep

Getting eight hours sleep is the best solution to waking up bright and cheery eyed in the morning. Makeup may temporarily cover up bags under your eyes but constant sleep deprivation will take its toll. A good night’s rest also revitalises you and gives you more energy throughout the day so you can exercise and look your best.

Throw out old cosmetics

Most of us are guilty of keeping that lipstick from the year 12 formal or the blue eye shadow we wore in the 80s when Cyndi Lauper was still on the charts. However, make up does have an expiry date and can be a perfect breeding ground for harmful bacteria. A good rule of thumb is to throw out anything more than a year old with the exception of eyeliner and eye shadow which will last up to 3 years.

You can’t turn back time or have ever lasting beauty but you can take better care of your skin from today so follow these five beauty resolutions and make a commitment to looking as beautiful as you can be inside and out.

Self-proclaimed ‘Cosmetic Cop’ and American author Paula Begoun says women shouldn’t shop for beauty products without knowing more about the tricks cosmetics companies use. Paula gets to the root of the matter in her book of “Don’t go to the cosmetics counter without me“. Here are five common beauty myths.

Myth: Expensive cosmetics are better than inexpensive cosmetics

Paula says that there are good and bad products in all price categories and it’s about the formulation, not about the price. An irritant-free toner by Neutrogena can be just as good as, or maybe even better than, an irritant-free toner by Orlane or La Prairie (depending on the formulation), and any irritant-free toner is infinitely better than a toner that contains alcohol, peppermint, menthol, essential oils, eucalyptus, lemon, or other irritants, no matter how natural-sounding the ingredients are and regardless of the price or claim.

Myth: Eye creams are specially formulated for use around the delicate eye area

Paula says that there is no evidence, research, or documentation validating the claim that the eye area needs ingredients different from those you use on your face or neck area or décolletage. Even if there were ingredients that were special for the eye area, that isn’t evident in eye products; their formulations are random, with no consistency in the industry. All cosmetics companies put whatever ingredients they want to into their eye products (and usually give you half as much but charge you twice as much as the same product for your face). The ingredient label on these “specialty” products more than proves the point. Paula claims eye creams are a whim of the cosmetics industry designed to evoke the sale of two products when only one is needed.

Myth: You can’t repair damaged hair

Paula says in her book “Don’t go shopping for hair products without me” that there is no one miracle product that can cure your hair-care woes and there are hair-care products that can “repair, fix, correct, restructure, reform, change, reconstruct, restore, rebuild or alter damaged hair.” So unfortunately, if you have bleach damaged hair, split ends or damaged hair from straightening irons, while hair-care products may temporarily mask the damage and make the hair look superficially better, there is no choice but to ultimately trim or cut off the damaged hair and wait for it to grow back.

Myth: Drinking water helps cellulite

Paula says that while drinking water probably is beneficial (although there is really no research showing how much is healthy versus unhealthy), there is no research showing water consumption will impact fat anywhere on your body, let alone the dimples on your thighs. A healthy diet that encourages weight loss may help your entire body look better. However, because weight is not a cause of cellulite, dieting won’t change the skin structure of your thighs, which causes the dimpled contours to show. Exercise helps almost every system in the human body, but it won’t necessarily impact the appearance of cellulite she says.

Myth: Everyone needs a day cream and a night cream: Skin requires special care at night

Paula says the only different between a daytime and night-time moisturiser is that the daytime version should contain a well-formulated sunscreen and that there isn’t a shred of research or a list anywhere of what those ingredients should be. She says skin needs a generous amount of antioxidants, cell-communicating ingredients, and skin-identical ingredients all day and all night. Paula says that for daytime wear, unless your foundation contains an effective sunscreen, it is essential that your moisturizer feature a well-formulated, broad-spectrum sunscreen rated SPF 15 or higher.

Not all cosmetics, beauty and hair products are created and priced equally so read more about Paula Begoun’s cosmetic truths and her books and find out how you can get the most for your beauty dollar.

You’ve stayed together through the best and worst of times, split ends, numerous hairstyles and different hair colours but now the spark is missing, you’ve outgrown your current hairdresser and it’s time to move on. So how do you goodbye to your first love who held your hand through every break-up and near-disaster? Here are five ways to let your hairdresser know that for the sake of your hair health, you need to start seeing other people and go to other hair salons.

Give them prior warning

In any good relationship, you need to give people a chance to redeem themselves before you completely sever the partnership. If you find that you have asked your hairdresser to take off an inch off your hair and they have taken a mile, then give them a polite warning that if they do it again that you will be forced to find another hairdresser who complies with your wishes. Three strikes though and they are out. Don’t let them emotionally blackmail you into another bad haircut or hairstyle.

Have the talk

Often in a break-up, it’s not the message but the delivery or lack of delivery that hurts more. Avoidance is never the answer. Your hairdresser may see you at the latest nightspot with new highlights and realise you have been cheating on them. They have given you hours of loyal service and they deserve your respect. Pick up the phone and let them know that you don’t want to be exclusive anymore and you have decided to go to another hairdresser. This may be due to geographic convenience, affordability or you just might want to see other people and try a different hairdresser.

Blame it on the economy

The bad economy has been blamed from everything from corporate greed to marriage breakdowns. So why not use it as an excuse to change hairdressers? This is a rational explanation of why you need to move on. Before the financial crisis, you could afford to spend $200 plus for your hairdresser to ruin your hair but you cannot factor this in your budget anymore and sadly, they are another casualty of the financial crisis. Just don’t be suckered into returning when the economy picks up.

It’s not you, it’s me.

When all else fails, take the full blame for the breakdown of the relationship and the miscommunication that has led to bad haircuts and unsightly colour jobs. Convince your hairdresser that it is due to your inadequacy as a client and not their incompetency as a hairdresser that has led to the irreconcilable differences and inevitable breakup. Once you have convinced them that it’s all your fault, walk away from the salon with your head held down in shame but when you get out of sight, run to the flashy hairdresser up the road.

Keep it short and sweet

Call your hairdresser and explain that the lack of chemistry between you and the constant miscommunication has led to you wanting to meet other hairdressers and try out their skills. Don’t give them the chance to talk you out of it or suffer through an awkward question and answer time about why it just didn’t work out. The time for talking and working it out is over. Make it a quick, clean break and walk out of there without looking back.

Don’t cut all ties with your hairdresser in case the new relationship doesn’t work out. Before you make the final cut, try a short transition period between the old and the new hairstylist. It may be a case of better the devil you know so make sure you don’t burn your bridges with your old hairdresser because you may want to return to the hairdressing salon.

Some hairstyles stand the test of time while others like the 80s perm are best forgotten. Some actresses are even more famous for their hair than the roles they played in movies. Below is a selection of iconic hairstyles from the 1960s and beyond.

The pixie cut (60s)

Think of the Swinging Sixties and you think of Twiggy’s pixie haircut. Her androgynous look changed the world of fashion. The defining feature was the close-cropped layers that framed the face. This style has been copied and revamped throughout the years.

The Farah Fawcett (70s)

After Farrah Fawcett appeared in the 1970′s version of Charlie’s Angels, she was more famous for her ash-blonde hair than her acting. Tragically, she was diagnosed with cancer, lost her trademark mane and died earlier this year. This hairstyle was revived in the 80s and when big hairstyles come back in fashion.

The perm – (80s)

This is the decade that style forgot and Kylie Minogue, Nicole Kidman and Julia Roberts all had naturally curly hair and were equally responsible for bringing this look to millions of women around the world. This look had women running to salons in droves requesting perms to get their big, bouncy and beautiful.

The Jennifer (90s)

‘The Jennifer’ was Jennifer Aniston’s layered look on Friends in the 90s which made her famous. Hairdressers were inundated with requests to emulate this hairstyle for their clients. Her hair is still her trademark but Aniston now has longer face-framing layers.

The Pob (naughties)

After allegedly suffering hair loss from wearing extensions, Victoria Beckham cut her hair short and created a new iconic hairstyle called the Pob. This name was derived from Posh Spice, her stage name when she was a Spice Girl and the bob.

When you go to the hairdresser, bring a copy of the hairstyle you want to copy so they are very clear about the hairstyle you want. Not all hairstyles are flattering for everyone’s hair texture so in your consultation with the hairdresser discuss modifying the hairstyle to suit your hair.

A good haircut should take less than half an hour to style every day and longer for special occasions.

Do blondes have more fun? Miranda Kerr seems to think so. The gorgeous Victoria Secrets model revealed her lightened locks at the recent launch party for The Dream Angels Heavenly Enchanted Collection at The Grove in Lost Angeles.

The Garnier Nutrisse, ‘Shade of the Nation’ report released early this year reveals that 1 in 5 women have coloured their hair drastically due to a life-changing event with the break-up of a relationship topping the poll. The report also discovered that hair colour can have an influence on your career and the way people perceive you.

Miranda Kerr who is rumoured to have rejected Orlando Bloom’s proposals (yes, plural!), shows no signs of heartache or plans to break up with Bloom so far. However, we are yet to see whether her blonde ambition will further her modelling career.

Garnier Nutrisse’s research found that brunettes – natural or not when pitched against their blonde and red-haired rivals, were seen to be the highest achievers in life with 74% of people surveyed believing that brunettes were the brainiest.

Brunette’s popularity in the boardroom carried over into the bedroom with 71% of men picking a brunette as a relationship and marriage partner and 1 in ten men feeling the most successful with a brunette on their arm with only a mere 6% choosing a feisty redhead as a bed mate.

However, blondes were still thought to be more fun with 43% of blondes rated as fun, followed by 42% of redheads and only 15% of brunettes. Redheads also lived up to their stereotype with 78% of redheads rated as fiery and only 12% of blondes and 10% of brunettes falling into this category.

The universal question whether men prefer blondes, gorgeous brunettes or fiery redheads hasn’t yet been answered but the next time you step into the hair salon or reach for a box of hair colour at the supermarket, think about how you want to be perceived in the boardroom and the bedroom.

According to the results of the Garnier Nutrisse report, if you’re a brunette, you may ponder about this for a while, redheads may just rebel and colour their hair anyway while blondes may be having too much fun to even give it a moment’s thought …

There are so many beauty products out there on the market and reading glossy magazines can sometimes only confuse you more. So how do you know which beauty products are essential and which ones are just going to waste your hard earned cash and produce no visible results? Here are five must-have beauty basics you should have in your makeup case or bathroom cabinet at home.

Cleanser

Just like every artist needs a clean canvas to create a masterpiece, the same can be said for your skin. Cleansers work as emulsifiers to remove dirt, excess natural skin oils, bacteria, cosmetics and exfoliate the surface skin cells to help your skin breathe and attain the correct nourishment when followed by toning and moisturizing. Go to a credible beauty therapist and get your skin diagnosed so you can buy a cleanser that will address any specific problems you may have with your skin such as acne, oily, dry or t-zone skin.

Foundation

A good foundation can hide any imperfections and give your skin a warm, beautiful glow. Foundation is an important beauty basic that every woman should have but make sure it’s the right colour for your skin tone, the foundation is applied thinly and smoothly and includes a sunscreen for all day protection.

Sunscreen

Sunscreen is very important and will help you protect your skin from cancer but it is also the best anti aging cream on the market. It is important to buy a sunscreen with an SPF-15 or higher which protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Wear this every day and your skin will thank you for years to come.

Mascara

Mascara has always been a mainstay in makeup application due to its undeniable capabilities when it comes to emphasizing a woman’s eyes and can be worn with or without eye shadow and eye liner. A quality mascara is clump free and can define, thicken, lengthen, and strengthen the look of lashes and yet make a woman look like she’s wearing little or no makeup.

Lip gloss

A quick dash of lip gloss can be a cheap and inexpensive way to give you a quick lift but still look like you are wearing minimal makeup. Make sure you buy the right shade to flatter your face and features. Women with fair skin look great in nude shades, pink and corals, women with olive skin can go a bit darker in roses, mauves and berries and women with dark skin can experiment with plum or wine shades.

Using a daily cleanser and a good sunscreen can stave off fine lines, wrinkles, age spots and even dry skin and this is the foundation for any beauty routine. If you want to wear a minimum of makeup, try cosmetics like wearing foundation, mascara and lipstick which will give you a fresh faced look to take you throughout the day without leaving you looking like a drag queen.