Racism, Sizeism, and Just Plain Stupidity

[alivemagdolene]

You can snatch this picture (sans my snarky text) and many more of the lovely Ms. Jones here.

Yesterday, a friend of mine posted this on her Tumblr:

Websites like Fashion156 really disappoint me. (I say “websites like” because the problem is obviously more widespread. See blogs like Fashion Gone Rogue and Studded Hearts. FGR very rarely features black models, other than Wek and young Iman. SH never has. I’m using 156 as an example, because they do their own editorials.) I don’t recall the last time I saw a non-white model featured on 156, who, keep in mind, doesn’t have an excuse. Perhaps a site so keen on showcasing diverse, independent fashion, as well as new and emerging designers, should also consider including something other than your typical white, size zero, beau ideal. This idea has, however, apparently escaped them.


She sent an inquiry to the size and got this response:


I am very sorry but I really am very disappointed in having to respond to emails like this.

we cannot change the fashion industry and do not actually want to. We are a FREE website that people can choose to log onto or not. We use all kinds of models and if you want to see more size 16 models, etc then unfortunately F156 is not for you. The industry make samples that are a size 10 and a lot of the show pieces we feature are unique one-offs - there is not a non size 10 alternative. We do not see a problem with that. We try to only use models that are healthy - we do not use size zero models - but this is how the industry has developed - we did not decide this. Just as most actors are “attractive” and most sports-people have in shape bodies, and most Doctors are intelligent. I am being simplistic and generalising of course. But modelling is a profession just like the roles I just listed and models are selected as they are a blank canvas and they have to “suit” most garments - many/most of us normal folk do not!

If you have an issue with this, I suggest you target the designers and model agencies.

I spent hours and hours every day trying to make F156 a great site and find it just so frustrating that people only ever email to complain!

Here are some great models we have shots the past few months.http://www.fashion156.com/beauty_n_grooming.php?issue=26

http://www.fashion156.com/fashion.php?issue=21http://www.fashion156.com/mensfashion.php?page=11&issue=18http://www.fashion156.com/beauty_n_grooming.php?issue=25

I am sorry you felt the need to send your email, but sadly F156 will not be changing our policy as I feel as an editor I try at all times to select a great mix of models for our editorials. Next issue - which was shot 2 weeks ago - you will see models that may more suit what you consider acceptable.

Thank you for your email
Regards

Guy Hipwell

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Guy Hipwell

Editor/Fashion Director

Fashion156.com

Number 1

24 Old Royal Free Square

Liverpool Road

Islington

N1 0YH

email: guy@fashion156.com

tel: 020 7359 3632

Mobile: 07710 265522

http://www.fashion156.com

facebook: http://www.facebook.com/fashion156twitter: http://twitter.com/fashion156

Why not send Mr. Hipwell a message expressing your own thoughts on the subject? And/or his raging stormy FAIL of a response (take your pick as to what stands out as the most moronic)?

Comments

[rehime.livejournal.com]

Oh fuck, the fail. THE FAIL.

We are a FREE website that people can choose to log onto or not.

I like the hint of "Well, if you just paid me..."

We try to only use models that are healthy - we do not use size zero models - but this is how the industry has developed - we did not decide this. Just as most actors are “attractive” and most sports-people have in shape bodies, and most Doctors are intelligent.

I love the assumption that thin = healthy. He tries to get out of it by saying he doesn't employ size zero models (is that even true?), but there's s still a huge range of sizes to be that wouldn't benefit every body type. But remember, only fat people go to see doctors or are in hospitals!

And as someone who tries to know her history, I hate it when people assume what they think is beautiful, ugly, good, bad, or what have you has always been as such, that the world and societies hasn't gone through some magnificent changes since we've been on it. Tied to this hate is the assumption that our genes actually pay attention to completely constructed titles such as "beautiful celebrities","sports players", and what kind of intellect is needed to be a doctor. Our genes don't respond to anything but the code that tells them what kind of person to make. So, no, models aren't born, they're made (or starved, or what have you).

I am being simplistic and generalising of course.

No shit, you are?

But modelling is a profession just like the roles I just listed and models are selected as they are a blank canvas and they have to “suit” most garments - many/most of us normal folk do not!

Clothes did not come before people, so the former should make way for the latter. Now that I think about it, it's kind of strange how we're so obsessed with fitting pre-made clothes when fabric is a much more flexible material to work with than human bodies. And this sentence just encourage the outlook, "Well, if you didn't eat so much or at all, you could fit some trendy clothes. Obey the clothes!"

I think I found another reason for liking cosplay - we tailor characters to fit us. Of course, it's not that simple and there's all sorts of race, body, and gender fail that can result, but it can be a beautiful thing.

My closing statement to this guy -- people skills motherfucker, do you use them?

[alivemagdolene.livejournal.com]

Uggghhhhh, I so fucking hate skinny = healthy and fat = unhealthy. Such bullshit. An eating disorder and/or poor dietary and exercise habits are just that!

UGH AND YES, SO TRUE ON THE HISTORY. Yeah, models have always been tall and slim but they keep getting skinnier. And what does that even have to do with the fact the site has racist beauty standards? Sigh.

Clothes did not come before people, so the former should make way for the latter.

Dude, that's awesome and your supporting arguments are delightful (seriously). I haven't been so charmed by anti-"Beauty Industry" kick since I saw the phrase "Riot, don't diet!"

By the way, if you, like I, might have been momentarily put off by the "size ten" thing ("Wow, that's actually a pretty decent size!") he's referring to British sizing, in which size ten is equivalent to size six. If you're as "WHUH" as I am about this, here's some perspective, she ranted: Scarlett Johansson is a size twelve. WHAT THE FUCK.

[alivemagdolene.livejournal.com]

ADDENDUM: I've come to refer to "plus-sized models" as "models that are actually attractive". ;^)

I might have to make up some icons of Ms Jones-- when I went to hunt a pic to caption for this post, I forgot how stunningly, ridiculously gorgeous she is. Oh wait, I guess she's "fat" and since she's not White she shouldn't have any exposure.

[rehime.livejournal.com]

Your icon is a thing of beauty. I really might just take (with credit).

Does the site really promote itself as progressive? I clicked on it but was blinded by the same light they use at "high-end" places.

"Riot, don't diet!"

I love it!

[alivemagdolene.livejournal.com]

I don't think it promoted itself as progressive by any means, but his response is so... ugh. Also, isn't fashion about finding "the latest thing"? Meaning not using racist beauty standards from over fifty years ago? Ack.

I made that icon m'self! :^D I needed a new "fashion" icon and I love Anne Taintor's stuff (and that phrase is on the rad/adorable little make-up purse [Bad username or site: @ livejournal.com] gave me for my birthday among other things-- I'll have pictures up as soon as I get my new haircut!). I had too hard a time "Lj-sizing" any with that phrase already on it, so I made my own from this ad (I covered up the liquor it was for) that I saved back when my own hair looked like this (and I flattered myself by thinking it looked like me):



Note the nice creases from the scanner that I couldn't get out from when it was pinned to my wall.

< /more than you ever wanted to know about the damn thing >

[alivemagdolene.livejournal.com]

I haz a FAIL. *facepalm*
If you are referring to the Mister Rogers one (as you probably were, I'm just a moron), how sad I got it because I needed more "angry" icons (that and it's wonderful). Which reminds me, Heather picked that one (among others) for the icon meme which I still need to post.

I loved Mister Rogers. He liked me just the way I was.

[rehime.livejournal.com]

I liked both icons! I adored the ad one and spray-laughed at the ass-kicking one.

[alivemagdolene.livejournal.com]

SPRAY-LAUGHS!!! I'm infecting you with my shameful style!

And I'm not dark and delicious, I'm more... dark and slightly bitter with a chalky aftertaste.

[rehime.livejournal.com]

That's a gorgeous poster!

And you are a dark and delicious flavor.