Does case of fired model send a bad message to young girls?

Is this a joke?

1. Who is Raphael Lauren?
2. Did you even read the article?

The woman lost her job (who cares if it was modeling or welding - that was her WORK) after 8 years with the same company. YES - RL sent the wrong message. It is like we are back to heroin chic again... AWFUL. That photo is ridiculous, and it cost her work. If you saw her on the TODAY show, she did not look like she was on VACATION.

FOOL.

MaidelineEsco, clearly you are not so bright. How could you say something so uneducated and cruel? Everyone knows that the super skinny models that are shown on magazines are typically photoshopped. Shame on Ralph Lauren for making her look emaciated and haggard on that cover!!! Women should be shown as they are, whether they are a size 0, 4, 10, 18, or 24... If RL wanted a rail-thin model then they should have hired one. Not hire a size 4 model and use a computer to make her look unnatural. Everyone has beauty and industry should focus on bringing out those qualities that make us each unique and special - not tailoring us to be mutant people. We may never know the true reason Hamilton was let go, but the magazine cover speaks for itself...

Read my post (you must be a man or a very sick woman) that's bolded down below. You are one of the ones who suffers from NCS syndrome.

Give me a break. I feel I have every right to say (being a 30 yr old female) that if you get into modeling, you know what you are in for! Don't get on TV complaining that you were told you were too fat. You have to know this is going to happen sooner or later to get rid of you. Is it the right message to send? Maybe not. BUT WHO CARES! Don't we have more important things to concern ourselves with in this country? Just get over it.

I agree, this story is a big waste of time! And Kate White sitting there adding her two cents was the kicker...Cosmo portrays all women as a pack of dogs in heat running the streets shopping for the perfect push up bra!

Yes it is very important to every one. Magazines are dealing with the public who shop and spend the money, not models selling to each other , I don't even buy magazines if I see the models looking dead, drugged, or sick. I also resent the ones that make the girls look gay. my two daughters wont buy either. In fact we shall never buy Lauren again....ever,

That picture is insulting and so pathetic. I can not imagine any girl wanting to look that way.Having your organs shut down from starvation is a horrible way to die.

The fashion industry has done very distructive things to families, girls, boys who expect the thin look, and all of the shoppers who can not fit the images they portray.

People are dying from the fashion industry illness...anorexia. Yes,you are to blame.

loose some weight honey and stop blaming it on RL!!!!!! ;) have a nice day hmmmm K!

American fashion companies should take into consideration that the average size for an American woman is about 14/16. It's shameful that the fashion industry and entertainment industry has set a 'norm' for what a woman's body should look like. Even Barbie is shameful. Her perfect hour glass shape is not even that of a typical woman. How about instead of using poles for your models, use women that have soft flowing curves.

Okay - let me just tell you How Important this article is. My daughter was diagnosed with anorexia almost 4 years ago. Absolutely beautiful girl........ model, straight A student, President of her class, Co captain of the Field Hockey team and she almost died. All she ever wanted since she was little was to be a model. At the age of 14 she was admitted to Johns Hopkins eating disorder clinic with a heart rate below 60 and a blood pressure of 54/40.

So..... before you go shooting off about no big deal............ its just a job. Keep in mind, that this was her dream as a little girl and she made it, it was her career. And to keep her career she needs to starve herself....convince herself that she is not a beautiful girl, that she is not good enough for this society and hey, what the hell......... starve yourself girl and if you don't die......... you can be a model for Ralph Lauren too!

I work with children age 6-12 and adolescents who are13-18 yrs. old who are struggling with eating disorders who are the sad victims of people like you-- who have distorted body images based on the lies you perpetrate about what's beautiful. I praise Madelaine for standing up for what's right and where the fashion industry is going. Beauty is not about what is on the outside but rather what is on the inside shining out. Ralph Lauren has it all wrong and I will protest by not buying what he has endorsed or any other fashion designer going down this same sick and selfish path. I've seen the pain and death that happens in young girls lives and wonder when are we going to wake up?!!

For the person to which I am replying to.... you obviously have no idea how the fashion or modeling industry works. The weight issue is an ongoing problem. Yes, people are hired and booked for the way they look and should stay that way, but even so, look how they edited her picture. It does not matter how skinny a person is because it is never enough. I used to model in Japan and Hong Kong but am now going to a university. I am only 20 years old and a size 2, but the way I look has become an obsession because of all the critiques during the time in which I modeled. It is tiring to constantly be thinking of food and body image and just not be happy. I remember my agent saying "If you get hungry, just drink more water." These girls are pushed too far. And the model in this new story? This is not for attention. It is a dog eat dog world and it is doing her no good to say this was Ralph Lauren's fault. There is absolutely no modeling agency in the world that will feel sorry for her or any other girl for that matter and take her in because of it. You are in, or you are out. There is no sympathy in this business.... so get your facts straight. Young women should not be so 'weighted' down with having to constantly worry about their image.

You people are crazy if you don't understand that it is not about getting fired. It is WHY she was fired. Young girls starve themselves to look like these thin models. Many die from malnutritution. Why do models have to be toothpicks. Are there not beautiful women who may be size 10 or even 22?

All women aren't a size 4... Ralph better get up to date with womens sizes. I wouldn't purchase any of his clothes as they wouldn't fit me. I think he needs to wake up and make larger sizes in the first place. HEY RALPH ... HOW ABOUT A SIZE 16 WOMENS?????

Her not having nothing to say? There was clearly a language barrier.

I can't believe you people can not see why this is important. I think the model herself is still too thin at 5'10" and 120 pounds, yet she got fired for being too fat? What kind of message is RL sending to women and girls when they do something like that? This story is important because this needs to change not just for the sake of the models but for all women out there. We need to see woman that are at a healthy weight not too fat but certainly not too thin either. Personally I think RL and others like them are losing customers because if I see a woman that thin modelling clothes I pretty much know they didn't make those clothes to look good on me.

I quite agree with Maidleline Esco that there are much bigger problems in the world than having to deal with this. Not only are persons losing there jobs but really sick children are not getting the Medical care that they require.

So wondering what you look like? Your statements are rediculous and not worth addressing.

This actopm is a good example of all that is wrong in the world of fashion. She is a beautiful woman who looks the normal side of thin and more models like her are what we want to see not the skeletons that try to pass for women wearing size 0 hanging off of her. She needs to scream out loud, women unite and back her up, lets demand healthy models showing clothes that we can actually wear!

It IS important.   Having our young people think that they should look emaciated is causing major problems.  Children and Young adults die or eating disorders.  Many of our problems have image problems at the root. No matter what Ralph Lauren says Size 2  or 4 samples is being required.  It is not normal, healthy. Nor should it be aspired to. 

Too be honest this model is too thin if anything. 

I will not buy from them. 

I would be upset too if they had pasted my head on some piece of plywood. That is way to skinny

this really caught my attention when i read the report. I beleive that this model is ding the right thing. She's standing up for herself and for other models that are going through the same thing. i honestly thought that to be a model you had to be this super skinny girl and always going on diets and going without eating and maybe this is what some agencies want like Ralph Lauren but its really upsetting because you want real models not fake and sick models. I'm 15 yrs. old i auditioned for John Casa Blanca agency in september or october of last year. and i believe that is a great agency they said they accepted any kind of sizes that gives every women a chance to thrive on what they want to be, a model. I was really excited i got accepted but i had to take some courses before starting my career and those were too expensive so i wasn't able to live that experience that i've always wanted. I've learned a lot of the fashion industry by research and questioning. and i believe that every women no matter their size should be able to model there are really gorgeous women out there that are plus-sizes that are even more gorgeous than those tooth pick skiny girls we all see in EVERY magazine cover. Its time for something new. for something turely beautiful.

I think you need to come back down to earth. This is not a waist of time ...This so needs to be addressed to all the fashion magazines and to fashion indust. It is clear to all that looks at this , the company has no right to fire her over weight. I wouldn't buy anything from this company now . The real world with real people ,like me ,see through all the Issues with weight. The fashion industry is not realistic at all and is living on a different planet. They need to make the sizes medium built girls ranging from 12 to 16 . ...I dont know of any woman or man who thinks that extremely skinny is healthy or good looking. I think its sickly looking. She is a beautiful woman .. And I think she looks perfect...best of luck to you...the lost is theres!

Honestly, this woman is absolutely HOT and in my book I would passionately love her for the rest of my life AS IS!!!!

I think the fashion indusrty is missing, (and I MEAN MISSING) out on the new age of woman. the curves are what define a womans external beauty. YES, YOU CAN HAVE CURVES WITHOUT OBESITY PEOPLE....WAKE UP!!!! this woman to me ranks a 10++++ on model scale. I would be her fashion slave if she'd have me. You can dress so many curved women in so many more ways than overly thin woman, it IS NOT EVEN FUNNY!!

Wake up America, and the fashion world....the year of the twig is GONE!, welcome the time of the curves :)

Jinchuriki, you're trying hard but it's not working. At least read the article before you do the snide comment and three snaps up routine.

Except of course it is important to the 1000's of little girls who look to society and the media to learn what constitutes norms of all sorts, including body norms. It is also damaging to 1000's of little boys who grow up thinking that a size 0 is the size a girl should be. Back before photoshop, women were already feeling like they couldn't possibly live up to super model standards, and now, even super models can't live up to super model standards.

Has to be a man that made that comment or a sick, spiteful woman. I agree with one thing, there are more important things going on in the world, but this is a bitter strike against women.

My daughter is 13, 5.7 and wears a size 4. You would think that that would be considered thin but not according to my daughter, she thinks she is fat. Body image is so ultra important at this age that 80% of highschool girls have either binged or purged. Therapists and psychatrists say that trying to help someone with an eating disorder is as bad as as trying to help someone with a heroin addiction and the percentage of relapse is higher. Also even the editor and chief of Cosmo, Kathy White's view is distorted when she talked about Christie Brinkley and Cindy Crawford being "really cury", they were only a size 6. At least in Milan and Spain they are trying.You can't go below a BMI of 18 to model there. Unfortunately women generally start loosing their menstral cycle around 18.5. My pocketbook is firmly closed.

Thank you kaitsmom. I hope that my 2 year old daughter does not grow up thinking that 5'10 and 120 lbs is too fat. I would hope that she thrives on her self esteem regardless of whether or not she is above, at or below the perfect weight.

And for all of those who think that it's not a bid deal, sign off and quit commenting. The pressure that we put on our young women today to be perfect is embarrassingly pathetic and very narrow minded.

I'm a father and it's so frustrating to see these pictures of girls that are obviously touched up. The mold has been set that only pretty girls are on tv, only sexy and slim girls are "pretty" and to be pretty, you have to give up on who you really are. I think that this obviously sends the wrong message to girls. I do however, think that the Dove commercials are doing a great job of making the message more about truth and self-esteem than wanting to be something you aren't.

Regardless of whether she is doing this for attention or not, it is still ridiculous that the model industry thinks that they (and do) control the psyche of children and women alike. Girls aren't the only ones affected anyway. Guys see these girls and think that is what is real, when in reality, maybe 1/10 girls look anything close to what boys see on tv and the net. Then, each person has unrealisic expectations of development and relationships.

Are ya kiddin me? You should be ashamed of yourself just like Ralph (not Raphael) Lauren.

I don know what that man thinks of women but he must hate us. i received, as a gift, a beautiful skirt with his label in a size 6. I am a true size 6 with any other label but I could barely get it over my butt. I returned it for a size 10, which devastated me. But then I realized that maybe, just maybe RL undersizes his clothes in an attempt to try to make us lose weight and be as skinny as his photoshop models.

Shame on you Ralph, women with curves are beautiful.

Is this person an idiot or just stupid, this person probably works for the magazine or add company. I cannot believe this response. I am outraged! I have a 5'8" @ 105LB, daughter that has anorexia and one of the reasons (not all) is her self image and she looks at these magazines to compare herself to. God help the women in the US for being so sucked into the "what women should like like" by the media. Having nice chlothes and expensive ones is great I buy them myself. I do not buy magazines that sell pictures like this. Good house keeping is great.

80% of girls are anorexic? What a crock. I work in a high school and if anything most are way overweight! All these women writing in about how the size they are is perfect because they are "curvy" at size 16. Round is a shape! Rolls are not sexy. If you work in an industry that has very tight reqiurements be aware that old age will not be what moves you out the door. A jet pilot upset that just because his vision is failing he lost his ride, or a hair model that became bald. Perhaps that 46 inch waistline shouldn't preclude working for that Italian suit designer. Why is that every little girl sees modeling as the big career? Maybe the big problem is not how mistreated the poor models are, but that modeling should pay a realistic wage then it would not be so enticing to a whole generation of girls that see themselves portrayed as waifs.

You missed the bigger picture totally. This isn't about her getting fired by RL, it about the images of perfection that we are giving our children. And this just isn't about girls, boys suffer from eating disorders as well. How can you consider kids killing themself for perfection not an issue?

RL is deplorable! If he truly believed women (and I use term "women" loosely...I mean girls) should and do look like this...he wouldn't sell clothes in all sizes. And don't kid yourself, he does for one reason he is after the almighty $. This man after years of postin skinny, unrealistic "women" a.k.a teenagers that have never beared children believes beauty is on the outside not the inside.

The young men aren't exempt from this treatment either.

Whom

Whomever thinks RL wasn't privy to her being fired is just plain dumb! Stuff trickles down hill and for sure he set the precedent of who we wants to represent his billion $$ company. I for one am glad she spoke out. Too bad her parents let her get wrapped in this horrible biz in the first place.

At the end of the day, I am sure she was paid handsomely!

It's than and their - sweetie. Do some English sentence spell check before you post.

For starters...this woman is not looking for attention nor is she looking for another agency to feel sorry for her and as a result hire her. The fact that another woman thinks this is insulting.She has had attention her entire career. She will get picked up by another agency because she is stunning.

I commend her for coming forward. I am repulsed with how "skinny" clothes are anymore. I am a petite former competitive figure skater. The options for a "normal" woman who has an athletic/curvy frame are minimal. It goes without saying that designers are sending the wrong message to the younger generation. However, it also sends the message to the 20 and 30-something women as well.....be super skinny or you will have nothing trendy and sexy to wear.

In addition, I've noticed that clothes are being cut differently as well. The cut model must be very skinnny. I haven't changed weight in years and what used to be a size 2 in the store that I frequent is now a size 4 or 6. It's a disturbing trend. I hope this model coming forward brings some long overdue attention to this matter.

Just be happy with who you are and move on. Eat for God's sake you are beautiful. I am a size 4, 5'6" and weigh 125. Like an over-weight person I struggled for many years to gain weight. Bigger women are just as beautiful. Love who you've become and embrace that you are a woman. Look at it as God wants to bless your life with something else. Good Luck

Yes, there are more important things in life to worry about and this was not one. Let's report some real news.

I am glad she brought this issue to the forefront. I have a 10 year old daughter that worries she's too fat and she's only a size 14. There is something seriously wrong with the idea society is putting on young girls. However, the fact that this model didn't say anything until she could no longer fit in the clothes (while reaping all the fame and attention pushing a favorable agreement with same) leaves a bad taste in my mouth as to her honesty in just now addressing this issue after being fired. Had she not been fired--she would have gone on with publicizing this distorted image of women gladly. Honestly Filippa!!!! It's not to say, though, that Ralph Lauren should be ashamed of himself!!!!!!!

Gee, this 5/10 beauty wasnt complaining about all the other women that were not selected when she was a comfortable size 4. I think the look they want in these women is rediculous but it is their right to hire based on appearance if that is part of the job description which it clearly is.

She is skating on thin ice now that she is deemed too large for their marketing purposes when she so handsomely profitted from it before. Had she been an advocate before I could understand her position better.

I believe it is a big deal....not the fact that she was fired.....but the fact that a designer puts out ads that give young women the idea that their body, at a size 4, is too big. That's just wrong on a lot of levels. More people are a size 10 and 12 than a size 2 or 4 and the designers need to acknowledge that.

that is horrible! One, they photoshopped the image to make her look super skinny which young girls will not realize and starve themselves trying to look like that. Second, they fired her for being a normal size if not skinny in the first place. This is definitely sending the wrong message to girls already having low self-esteem about how they look. This needs to end.

Okay lets get in the way back machine. Does anyone remember "Twiggy'? She was the top model for the 60's. Had a off center haircut,droopy eyes,flat chested, didn't weigh 100. But the clothes she wore were stunning. I don't think any of us young women took her seriously as wanting to actually look like her. We embraced puberty. We wanted curves. We wanted the womanly look. We ate food! Its sad that the life of a supermodel is so short lived,and disrespected. Its a dirty trick for the  photographers are able to make you look fat,skinny, awkward.

"Not fulfilling contract obligations" could mean many things. It is absurd to think she lost her job because she was "fat". She is not fat, what a joke. The original ad has obviously been brushed and I think RL was trying to make a statement about the stick-figure models. I cannot believe she was on TV making a stink about this. Maybe she lost her job because she has been a model for 9 years and they wanted soemone younger or fresher and with a better attitude....

maidelineeso, you seem to be an arrogant non caring, non compasionate, non women! You must work for the Ralp Lauren Polo company. How dare you say this is a waste of time! You also must not have a daughter? You missy need to get a life!

For girls and women every where, stop buying Ralp Lauren Polo clothes. This is a statement we can all make with our wallets. They need to apologize to her and all the girls in the world. I will tell all of my friends and women in Seattle and Minnesota to not buy Ralp Lauren clothes. Trust me we Mom's know how to spread the word. Stop buying Ralp Lauren clothes and send a message to all of your friends!

I agree with your theory of this all just being a publicity stunt the model is doing to get attention, but it is still an issue that should be faced. I'm a highschool student, just turned 16, and I suffer from an eating disorder. Seeing things like this makes it hard for people like me to get better. When I see this, I start questioning the morals of society, and what does that say about a society? It says, that society can't be trusted to raised a future of children. Children like me.

Of course it is sending the wrong message. Modelling agencies have the most influence over young women and men in this country. If the women are portrayed as sickly thin and the men are taught this is what is beautiful, then what kind of a youth are we producing. The message should read something like "be fit, be healthy, be beautiful," not, "be abnormally, unhealthily skinny, or else you'll be rejected." I commend this woman for getting out there and putting a face to an issue that needs to be addressed.

What's dumb is to say that this Filippa's complaint is dumb.  The real issue is that people in the fashion industry who demand anorectically thin models are pushing young girls into believing that anorexia and bulemia are good.  They are trying to push young girls into wanting to be so thin that they will be unhealthy.  This is a VERY important issue. 

It's strange that, after 8 years, they would fire her if she's the same weight as she's been all these years of modeling for Ralph Lauren.  I can't believe that MaidelineEsco changed this designer's name.  You don't go changing a professional designer's name!

Ralph Lauren should be ashamed about sending such an unhealthy message to young girls, that a beautiful model who's underweight at 120# for 5'10" is too heavy!  The person who photoshopped that body under Filippa's head should be FIRED!  That body is so scrawny that it's ugly, and Filippa's real body is well balanced, even thought she's actually too slim.  Anyone with a body like the photoshopped body would be at risk of DYING from severe anorexia.  The body pose was ugly too, and I watch Tyra's modeling contests regularly.

Filippa's life as a model is not all easy and roses. Anyone who believes she doesn't have to work really hard for her income is delusional.  I hope that Filippa will talk to Tyra Banks who will help her in her battle.  The fashion industry should be penalized financially every time they publish anorectic photos like that photoshopped photo of Filippa.  They are teaching impressionable young girls that perfection is demanded of them and that a normal body weight is disgustingly overweight, so they are telling girls the only acceptible body is an anorexic one.  This is shameful.  Ralph Lauren is shameful and I will not buy any of their products any more.

Please sober up!!!

I have 3 daughters and this is NOT the message I want them to get!!!

What the fashion industry is doing to our youth is disgusting! Everyone should be outraged! People are replying with things like "sure models are too thin, but who cares?" The people that care are the young girls in the bathroom shoving their fingers down their throats. Anorexia and Bulimia are epidemics in this country and unless we are pro-active and tell the fashion industry that we want healthy models it will only get worse. The problem is sample clothing...it needs to be bigger. A size 4 or 6 is still very thin, but asking a 5'10" woman to fit into anything smaller is absurd! If you think that sitting around and saying "well this sucks, but that's the way life is," YOU ARE THE PROBLEM!

I think that anyone who says this situation is not a problem or not important is just as ignorant as ralph lauren. The problem with todays female teens is the feeling that you arent good enough unless your skinny. Which now has cause eating disorders in todays youth. If thats not an important problem I dont know what is. All I know is that when my daughter gets to be 13, 14 or 15 and develops an eating disorder because her self image is no good from reading magazines and listening to these industries telling everyone that they need to be skinny to look good, I'm going "POSTAL"! Everyone was made UNIQUE. How ugly would it be for the whole world to look the same? How many size 4 and smaller girls do you see out there anyway? The fashion industry should start focusing on normal sizes of todays society. Its not good to be over weight, but its not good to be under weight. I am a young mother of 2 young toddlers. I was about 108 lbs before i got pregnant. Never got bigger than a size 7 and now I am a size 4 at 120 lbs. What does this make me? I want to start seeing people model clothes that look real. The picture above made her look horrible and i dont blame her one bit for not liking it. If this is how we should look, than pass me the fries and chicken strips. I'd rather be a fat a** than look like a skelton with a layer of skin.

MaidelineEsco, you are out of your mind! I just hope that what you wrote was meant to elicit replies . . . I cannot believe that a sane and healthy person would comment on the situation the way you did. I think Ralph Lauren should find out who is responsible for the photoshopped picture of the model and fire that person, and reinstate the model who is a beautiful, healthy girl. If she had gained weight, a request for her to get back to her regular number of pounds would be in order. But that would be the only thing they could request, as long as she followed the rest of her contract. Chill out lady, you are out of line!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

At 5'10", 120 lbs, this girl has a BMI of 17.9 which puts her in the category of being UNDERWEIGHT and not at a healthy weight. I've got an idea, how about if they made the "sample" clothing in say a size 4 or 6? What's up with the size 0's & 2's?

Anyone who doesn't think this sends a bad message to young girls obviously doesn't care about young girls. Hope you don't have daughters.

YES Yes Yes bad message for young women. Back it up with our pocket books?!! Not buying the junk that is served up as fashion by the designers now. Designers need to wake up. It has been said the average womens size is 14-16 or even larger why aren't they catering to them? Untapped market!! If clothes were designed for this size group they might buy more instead of trying to get the size 2-4 image to fit their bodies. clothes might even look good on them (us). The model at 5'10" 120 pounds is still too thin. I am tired of going to a store and searching the stuff there and trying to get it too look good on my body. Would buy something if it was styled for my size group and it was attractive. Untapped market!

This really isn't about getting fired from a job. This is clearly about a super thin model who was just fine being super thin until she was released from her assignment, which happens to be with a big dog in the industry. What's amazing is the misconception people don't seem to realize where these models are not "women", with the exception of a very few elite women (ie, Heidi Klum, Gazelle). If you read the article, it clearly states she started at age 15...not hardly a "woman". Models are starting at a younger age, early teens, at a time when their body is not fully developed. Once they get closer to 20 y.o., their body starts to develop into a women with changes like bigger breasts and hips. Models and females in general are fighting a loosing battle against mother nature to keep their youthful appearance all the way around. Just be thankful you have a healthy functioning body and move forward. You can't go into this business thinking you will always have a body of a 15 y.o. and last forever. These types of jobs are short lived (no matter the success) and should always have a plan b. As for up-and-coming models, I feel it's up to parents to keep their young girls informed, educated and show them the love and support they need to be confident and content with themselves just the way they are. Lastly, keep in mind, what's important to one, may not be to another, but all things are relevant in this world.

The bottom line is, RL felt that she no longer fulfilled her obligations, and therefore, it was time for her to move on. This does not suggest that she is unattractive, yes she is. As with most employers, if their requirements are not being met by the employee, they should and will be replaced. This is a business.

I'm 5'7", 105 and a size 2...guess that "skinny" word applies. How unfortunate.

Being a former 5' 11" model who use to model in the 70's & 80's at sizes 6 & 8, I think it's disgusting how thin the industry demands these models to be today. This is also a prime example of how photoshopping has gotten out of control, all in the name of image. The industry unfortunately has continued to declined since I've walked the catwalks in terms of body image. I mean really, do my legs really have to be the same size as my arms? And do I have to lipo my (naturally curved) butt and tummy tuck my(already slender) waist just to fit the status quo according to the fashion industry today. I'm afraid for the young kids today who believe that's what it takes to be a beauty and accepted. We can complain, post our opinions, get angry at the fashion industry, but for all the years that I have been a part of it, I don't see a change happening for the better. That makes me sad. I long to see designers using real sized men and women on the runways and in their ads. Years ago we were called "Mannequins", heck even today mannequins have more volume (body) than what I see in magazines and the catwalks. There's so much one could say on this topic, and there always will be. I think I've said enough for now for readers to know where I stand.

I am an ordinary woman (a medical student presently), and I wear a size 0. I can wear sample sizes. I am told that I have the kind of body that everyone should have. I have muscles and large size bones. I can wear anybody's size 0 and I do not have to try on clothes before buying. My proportions are correct for the size 0's produced by Ralph Lauren and other designers. I have a very healthy diet and I exercise 2 hours a day 6-7 days a week. Therefore, I think I know what I am talking about when I say "Size 4 is large," especially for a model.

I would first like to point out that OF COURSE that photo sends out a negative image, women HEALTHY women are gorgeous. I have suffered from truamatizing eating disorders, to substance abuse just to stay thin. I would also like to point out that even considering a size 4 to be large is absolutely leudorcris! I am a size 6/7, I believe it's about being happy in the body you have, taking care of the body you have, you know some people are naturally a size 0, but most aren't. For someone of a medical profession to agree that a size four is large for anyone, completely blows my mind...there are factors to take in, size of hips, genetics, thyroid conditions, and so many more. Saying a 0 is acceptable for everyone is completely ignorant, and it makes me really sad to see a fellow woman accept the views that society tells us are ok, that starving yourself to look good is ok, that being uncomfortable in the body that you're blessed with is ok, that you have to live up to everyone's standards of what a woman should be instead of your own. So I'm going to say that women should unite, because it looks like if we don't stand up for ourselves than no one else is going to, where are we going to draw the line? Young girls are depressed, images and unhealthy viewpoints are all over, and we're giving in, it shouldn't have to be this way, we have powerful voices and we shouldn't be afraid to use them. If we change our standards, the standards of others will have to change too.

Body image today is a bit of a no win situation; you are either too thin or too fat, never quite right.

I am 5'8" and a size 4, but I face frequent criticism that I'm too large. Three years ago, before I started college, I was a size 2 and was often berated for being too thin. Somewhere in this 5-10 pound swing, I have gone from being disgustingly thin to grotesquely overweight in people's perceptions. Everyone is after the perfect appearance, but I'm not sure anyone has really decided what that "perfect" is.

If you're hired specifically because you look a certain way, and are told that from the beginning, it is perfectly legitimate for the company to expect you to continue looking that way. Besides, fruit baskets and gym trips are good for you. :)

Of course this sends a bad message to young women about thier body image.

Honestly, I don't think most women want clothes to be modeled by what has now become the average size but I do think that they would all support healthy women modeling clothes. Being over weight or under weight is not healthy.

It is true that retailers in malls look for specific people to work in their stores based on what they look like. I have gone into Abercrombie and been offered a job just b/c of how I looked when I walked in. I was just shopping and the manager approached me. I know people who were managers for Hollister and their job was to walk the mall and look for attrative people to work in thier store.

The point here is that they should not be requiring models in the first place to be this thin. So yes she was hired with a extremely thin body and maybe that weight was in the contract but she was also 15 at the time!! Why should she be required at 30 to have the same body as a 15 year old that is ridiculous. RL needs to change its weight requirements to something more realistic.

I agree with NorthernMImom. I am a coach for Girls on the Run, a program that encourages young girls to think outside the "girl box". When things like this happen and models are in the spotlight for being extremely thin; we parents, coaches and teachers have to work extra hard to talk to our children about being comfortable with THEMSELVES and NOT letting society influence them. There need to be more programs for young people that encourage self esteem and positvie self image, such as "Dove, Real Beauty" and "Girls on the Run".

Kudos to NorthernMlmom and CoachesUnite. I am the mother of a beautiful 8 year old daughter whom I notice is starting to judge herself against her idols on Disney Channel-Selena Gomez, Demi Lavato, etc. ALREADY. These girls are probably considered "normal" size, however are still very slim. I love the Dove campaign as well and want there to be more, MORE, MORE programs for girls dealing with self esteem and positive body image right now. Life is hard enough. Let's send our girls out into this world to be happy and strong young women who love themselves unconditionally! Modeling has always sent the wrong message to our young women, in my opinion.

well am thin at 5'8" i weight 127 and get teasesd by people who are bigger and yes fat so i feel if he wants someone slimmer more power to him

why don't go somewhere else where they think fat looks good

I agree with you, we all must think twice before buying anything from Ralph Lauren.

I too am a HUGE fan of RL clothes and I'm a Black woman with the hips and butt to prove it. It makes you wonder how they feel about the people that wear the size 4s and above and the plus sized line. Really, I think the spotlight needs to be on ALL designers and how they really feel about so called "bigger" people. If you don't like us then we don't HAVE to buy your clothes. I think RL and some others have forgotten that it is a BUYER'S market and will not be a seller's market anytime soon.

Anyway, I'm getting away with buying Mr. Lauren's clothes for less than $25 a piece (sometimes $10) here in the South, so he and his company can say what they want but I'm not paying the big prices. It serves you right since apparently a size 4 is seen a too heavy. Even when the economy bounces back, I may have to look for another clothes line to spend my hard earned money on.

Agreed with first paragraph (see post #14). Second paragraph is based on perception...one's own....

Model specifically noted that her weight had not fluctuated in the 8 years she had been employed at RL.  My guess is that she is no longer "the look" they're going for.

Thank you, Catherine, for being realistic with your models. The one thing I TOTALLY despise is trying to buy clothes (I'm also a plus size) and websites/catalogues do NOT show the clothes on women like me. There's absolutely NO way you can have an idea of what something will look like on a realistic person, when the model is a 4, and modeling for plus size no less! WHY can't companies get REALISTIC with their models instead of being stupid and treating us as if we were?

Kelsey you are a very smart girl!! I have to agree with you hon! Your Mother raised you right hon with good morals! Keep that good attitude up girl! We need more kids like you!

YOU ROCK GIRLFRIEND!! Take care....

Robert

very well said

I thought this was well said also. The photoshopping needs to stop!!

I totally agree with you Tamstarr. They should have to disclose when something is photoshopped. It is very misleading. It also sends a horrible message to both girls/women and boys/men. But nothing is going to change until we as a society demand it.

Total agreement from Texas!!! The cover "photo" reminded me of someone...then it hit me: Jack Skellington of "Nightmare Before Christmas" fame!

I'm an older gal who has watched the fashion industry slowly lose its mind and destroy a healthy female body image in the process.

Does anyone realize that, today, TWIGGY would be told to lose weight? Insanity...

Absolutly agree!!! Why is photoshopping an already skinny model okay? I have three daughters, all are thin... one step daughter is 5'4 " and 140, the other step daughter is 5' 8" and 130, one is 5'2" and is 105 lbs. The first two work out every day not only to be healty but they are afraid they might be too fat. The last totally thinks she is fat, she is quite curvy and soooo beautiful. I am naturally thin too. I am 5" 6' and 115 lbs. so my being thin does not help them much (ps I don't work out and eat a ton!) have a fast metabloism anyway, I have always told them how beautiful they are and that they are perfect. Not one has trouble getting boys to notice them, but they see these images!! I try to drill it in that those girls don't even look like that. That's my main message here. What you see is NOT what you get when looking at images in these magazines. They aren't real!! I also have two teenaged boys in great shape which they obsess about too, always working out to gain muscle. I tell them the same things but it doen't make much difference. My step son is forever talking about girls he thinks are fat, and the thing is they aren't even close to noraml weight! My son is a bit better but I know he would not go for a girl who is heavier. They see the muscle on men as well which is not earned naturally and thank god neither is into steroids, but they love those nutritional supplements. I try to tell them often the images they see are altered but it is to no avail and I VERY MUCH blame the photoshopped pictures for this!! #1 message to the fashion industry is don't crop these people to look unlike themselves, or an unrealistic weight! #2 make clothes that fit real people, and are affordable.... not $70or up for a pair of jeans! the entire industry put pressure on the young and old alike that it's hard to accept real beauty. I will continue to show my children postive pictures and real beauty in bodies through images in magazines and in the media but they are so very few and far between. Please if your involved in fashion make a change. It is hurting so many people. We are afraid for the lives and sanity of our children and this should not have to be a plea! Praise to the model for speaking out. I am in agreement she should not have lost her job, and shame on the RL industry for putting out that horrible picture. LET ALL THE KIDS SEEING IT KNOW IT'S NOT EVEN REAL !!!!!!!!!! Show them how she really looks if they have seen the picture and show them real bodies, perhapse in National Geographic!

I am with you. I have two sister-in-laws who thrive on fashion and how little they should weigh and both of them are recently divorced. Makes one wonder where the values really are, doesn't it.

this is shameful shall we teach our daughters to starve themselves the look is horrible i dont like seeing frail thin women who are hungry they look like death and to promote such gross negligence is a sin to women everywhere and i am thin and have been that thin its gross

i totally agree, we need to get our priorities straightned out in this country. I went through anorexia, it is not healthy and messes up your metabolism later in life, if you are not dead from starving. I do not agree with being overweight that is just as unhealthy as being too skinny. I know i went through this. Young girls are pressed into being perfect, and the guys they date are expecting them to be perfect because that is all the young men see on tv, movies, magazines etc. so now not only are the young girls ( and older women) being pressured by media they are also pressured by men as well.

Yes, obesity is a problem in the States, but there have been articles that have discussed this and how its linked to poor body image. Why do most people eat excessively? Because they are upset/depressed, people become depressed when they can't achieve an impossible goal. Not many can be healthy and also be a size 2. So little girls who are bombarded with things like magazines and tv shows like One Tree Hill and 90210 see these "beautiful" size 2-4 girls and look at their own bodies and wonder why they cant look like them. So yes, there is a problem with obesity, and while it isnt linked to just one thing, I think one of the main problems for young girls is poor body image.

The sad thing is, there are a lot of girls and women who want to be that thin - and a lot of them die trying.

I am a woman who would like to look like that magazine cover, but I am also a woman who, after a battle with anorexia as a young teen, realizes that I never will. I'm 5'7" 142lbs and a size 10...I run marathons to stay in shape and keep myself healthy but I look in the mirror every day and think that I am still too fat and that I would give anything to be a size 4 or 6.

I am not fat, just very muscular from all the running, but under the contemporary standard of beauty perpetuated by the fashion industry, magazines and Hollywood a woman like me is deemed obese and unattractive. Yes, obesity is a problem in the USA, but so is anorexia and I think the standard of what size is considered "beautiful" needs to change. Size should not determine beauty...health, athleticism or just being plain old "regular" should determine beauty.

We need to tell young women and girls to be healthy, not to skinny and not obese, and we need a standard of beauty in magazines and Hollywood that reflects that, because there definitely are more women our there like me who would want to look like that magazine cover and that's a very, very scary thought.

I really think you missed the point of the article. What worries me more is that you think it is ok.

No, I doubt I "missed" any MSNBC PC POV, where all of us need remember a model's life is strictly a business of keeping in shape and looking good for the pictures in a designer's clothing line. That is why these models are employed and how they stay employed.

Can't - or won't - do it anymore and someone will take their place: strictly business....

No really, you missed the part where she didn't change her body shape at all; it was RL's expectations that changed, and apparently, if the picture above is any indication, they've changed into magical fantasies which are dangerous for real people. But don't take my word for it: try reading the rest of the thread. Although, people who invoke 'PC' as some kind of terrible curse on humanity don't seem to be very open to new input, perhaps you will prove us wrong.

You have a valid point; if you fired a smart person for becoming stupid, i'm sure you'd still complain. The modeling industry is a tight one as it is. If it's true that she stayed the same size as when she started, obviously the company has changed their ideals, and she's just a member of downsizing (no pun intended). What people need to understand is that Ralph Lauren is a business first, based on fashion. It's not the other way around.

This is an interesting point. I agree with your logic... but it's still a sad reflection of our cultural values that RL thinks (or knows?) what she has to offer is no longer good enough to properly sell their clothes. I wondered when I read the article if the real reason they fired her was not specifically due to her weight but maybe her overall "look" is not what they're going for this season, or maybe they think she is getting too old. :P

If that were the case, I personally would think they're ridiculous, because the model looks gorgeous and young to ME-- but the beauty industry is subjective, and they have the right to hire/fire based on their subjective perception of the value of a model's appearance.

People, if you want to make sure your daughters have healthy body image, just steer them as far away as possible from any industry that makes their money by selling bodily perfection! If parents can influence the next generation's mindset so that they appreciate a broader range of beauty, the clothing/cosmetic/beauty industry will then be forced to change their approach (guided by the money!).

We keep blaming advertisements and designers for the negative influence they have on people's body image, etc., but maybe it's the other way around? Any successful marketing approach is simply created in RESPONSE TO the values and desires of the target audience.

Craig - bet you wouldn't say that about a pro athlete (which is a contradiction in terms). They would just be pieces of meat to me if I were an owner, and I would make injury treatment and playing decisions strictly on what will maximize my profits from that piece of meat. End of career, when the meat is close to worthless, anything goes; if you want injury treatment, go to the ER and pay for it yourself.

If you read the article it states that she began modeling for RL when she was 14. How many 14 year-olds do you know that actually think through a decision as large as their careers at that age? I'm sure when she started she was overwhelmed by the idea of the money and fame that came with the job. Stop blaming her. I'm curious too as to whether her body size actually changed or RL changed the size of their samples.

The fact that the fashion industry hires 14 yo CHILDREN to model ADULT clothes is the problem. You see the same mess in the Olympics - younger and younger CHILDREN competing in WOMEN's gymnastics, figure skating, etc.

Since when does weight constitute one's entire appearance? do you not think she is gorgeous?

People who "insulted" you for being skinny were probably either jealous women or men trying to flirt with you. Honestly.

Dee, the sad thing is, now you would be called "too fat" to model! I wear a size 14, and though I would love to drop to a size 10 or 12, no WAY would I starve myself to do it. My husband will look at the models and actresses and say "GOD, she's too skinny!" He took one look at Tyra Banks after she "bloomed" to 150 pounds and started drooling.  Yes, MOST men prefer real women with REAL bodies - and those bodies are not a size 0 unless they are really tiny.

Dee, I can completely relate to your situation. I am in my early-mid 20s, and have been a size 2-4 since my teens. I'm 5'10" and 128 pounds and I constantly hear the typical, "you're skinny, go eat a sandwich" comments. I definitely eat - I've maintained a healthy lifestyle and I have exercised regularly for years. Sure, I have received compliments on my height and having a "model type" of body, but the negative comments I have received definitely out number the positive ones. It should not matter whether a woman is a size 2 or a size 12 - if she's happy, healthy and comfortable with herself that's all that matters. But sadly, what a feat that would be for the modeling industry to portray happy and healthy women who are different and who are at ALL sizes. I understand the argument that the fashion industry's objective is to highlight the clothes and not the model, which calls for the teeny sized models. But still the model is a person!!I think it is scary that the industry requires models to contractually adhere to remaining a size 0/2, especially when they are so tall. I'm sure designers can find a size 4 that would fit beautifully on a beautiful girl, and no one would know it was not a size 0. These models are HUMAN BEINGS not mannequins!

Good point! Why is it people tend to say negative comments first. Celebrate the beauty in every woman.

I wouldn't find it sad at all that I could be considered 'too fat' to model - in fact, the next time someone tells me how skinny I am, I will use that as a response! Then again, I don't think Ralph Lauren actually told the model she was fired because she was 'too fat'; I believe they ended the model's contract because she could no longer fit into the sample sizes the company feels comfortable with displaying in their advertising. What is unclear is whether RL has switched to a smaller sample size than was used when she first began modeling for them. And if so, why? Perhaps after this backlash RL will rethink how they represent their brand.

Craig - MALE nature, not human nature. You're lucky to be a guy - the freedom to be fat, bald, ugly - with no impact of your ability to date, earn a fair wage.

You are absolutely correct Craig. I don't know if you'd call it human nature or what -- but whatever you call it; the desire to have what's rare and difficult to achieve has been with people since the beginning of time. Whether it's currency or people, we all covet what others have. There are so many fat people (and I'm obese so I know) in our society today, that it's what is the exception that we desire. This is also why women (or men) of different races are considered more attractive than women of the same race.

As for anorexia being caused by the media -- Bunk. Anorexia is is a mental disorder caused by stress -- frequently by domestic unrest. Young women can't control the home domestic unrest..so they turn to controlling something they can control -- their appetite. Saying it's because they want to be a model or whatever is their deflection of the true issue to one that's socially acceptable.

I'll not justify RL -- but I think his bad is publishing a manipulated photo, not hiring and firing who we wants to.

Craig I am afraid you are wrong even in this day and age women with curves are more attractive to most men.

Yes, I have curves and even at my heaviest I had many men flirt with me which suprised me greatly. Since I am a therapist I wondered about this cause I always figured men preferd super skinny women. I have noticed a difference in what the pop culture wants us to beleive and what men really find attractive. True, in times of economic stress men have in the past gone for curvery women because of the abilty to bare childern even in difficult times. Even though men now may look at these supper skinny women and think that is attractive they tend to marry someone much healthier with curves. Most men have also found a certain comfort factor in regards to intimacy with women who have curves. Also weight (not being extreamly overwieght) is has been an indication of fincial wellbeing and health. In other nations women of healthier sizes are looked for because they know they do not have certain deadly illnesses.

I happen to be getting married soon and I have talked to my future husband about this. Funny thing is he sees me much thinner than I really am. Like most men I have known they don't see the weight. They see the person. If a man is really that caught up on wieght I feel very sorry for them because they are missing out on having true depth in any relationship. If they care at all they will stick with looking at the girls in magizines and leave us real women alone. No woman needs that heartach.

You tell that to your daughter when she turns anorexic trying to model the others that replace her. Im sorry if you find her "complaining" a waste of your time, but if you cannot see the INTENSE pressure that people put on teenageers to be thin, you must have stuck your head in the sand for the past 20 years.

Its not about the money she made, and it never will be. Its about her bringing to light one of the most problematic aspects of society.

I KNOW, I WENT THROUGH IT.

The model was hired at age 14. She was bound to gain some weight as well as height. She had barely gone through puberty at that age. Hormones kick in and BMI changes. She is right to be upset about the photo shop thing. It is not even good photo shop. Anyone remember when Ophra Windfrey's head was superimposed on the body of Ann Margaret? It was a lame attempt to make Ms Windbagfrey look thin.