One of the most infamous quotes to originate from the fashion industry is Kate Moss’s motto: “nothing tastes as good as skinny feels." This quote has stirred up an impressive amount of controversy over the last few years. The quote has been printed on T-shirts, quoted in movies, and used as a diet mantra. Some people swore by Moss’s words, others expressed their outrage for her comment. No matter what view a person may take on the quote, it is undeniable that Moss promoted starving one’s self as a way to stay skinny.
We live in a society where women and girls of all ages battle body image issues on a daily basis. We are constantly bombarded with advertisements and promotions that feature models photoshopped to an unrealistic perfection. For awhile, it seemed as if society just accepted that the fashion industry and eating disorders synonymously went hand in hand. However, a new fashion mogul and the supermodel of the moment, Gigi Hadid, is breaking the norm and speaking out on behalf of those who disagree with the traditional “supermodel image." For clarification, Gigi Hadid may be larger than the average model, but she is far from larger than the average of women her height. Gigi is 5 feet 10 inches and 126 pounds. The average weight for a female of her same height is 135 to 164 pounds.
Gigi took to her Instagram account to address those who have left her nasty comments saying that she is too curvaceous. She wrote, “No, I don't have the same body type as the other models in the shows… I represent a body image that wasn't accepted in high-fashion before." She recognized that she does not have the typical rail-thin figure and said, “Yes, I have abs, I have a butt, I have thighs.” With this all said, Gigi also addressed that the fashion industry as a whole is changing. “You can make up all the reasons you think I am where I am, but really, I’m a hard worker that’s confident in myself, one that came at a time where the fashion industry was ready for a change.”
It must be true that the fashion industry is ready for a healthy dose of healthy body image. The “curvaceous” model has strutted down the runway for top designers such as Tommy Hilfiger, Versace, and Chanel. Whatever Gigi’s got, the designers like. Gigi has also accumulated a large fan base across the globe. She boasts an impressive 6.6 million, and counting, Instagram followers. Tabloids frequently feature her in the weekly issues, and she is casually dating fellow superstar, Joe Jonas.
One can only hope that this positive body image trend continues. Young girls need role models that provide messages of value and substance rather than messages that promote eating disorders. Nationaleatingdisorders.org shares that in the United States, 20 million women suffer from a clinically significant eating disorder at some time in their life. Criticizing a woman for her weight is a sure way to damage a woman’s self-esteem and pave the way for an eating disorder. I stand by Gigi and applaud her for speaking up against her Internet bullies. She is the breath of fresh, healthy air that the fashion industry has needed for a while now.
