As discussed in the first in the series the New Face of Beauty ™, the media, photoshop and the fashion industry have set an unhealthy, and frankly ugly, yardstick for beauty with celebrity role models. And in the process created an unattainable standard of what looks good.
Airbrushing creates unattainable images of beauty-image via NYTimes
Frankly I believe it started years ago with the advent of Barbie, a figure role model in my generation, and unfortunately still going strong. Growing up I played with Barbie and always thought that I’d look like her when I grew up. But the truth is, it isn’t possible…ever!
The comparison between Barbie and a real woman-image via 0001134 Tumbler
- If Barbie was an actual woman, she would be 5’9” tall, have a 39” bust, an 18” waist, 33” hips and a size 3 shoe.
- Barbie calls this a “full figure” and likes her weight at 110 lbs.
- At 5’9” tall and weighing 110 lbs, Barbie would have a BMI of 16.24 and fit the weight criteria for anorexia. She likely would not menstruate.
- If Barbie was a real woman, she’d have to walk on all fours due to her proportions.
- Slumber Party Barbie was introduced in 1965 and came with a bathroom scale permanently set at 110 lbs with a book entitled “How to Lose Weight” with directions inside stating simply “Don’t eat.”
And, it’s gotten worse with the Fashion Industry looking for younger and skinnier models each season. The waif look began with Twiggy, and escalated after Calvin Klein started using young and very thin models in 90’s and with that, the rise of Kate Moss as a super model, the beginning of heroin chic.
Beauty changes-I don’t know where this image came from, sorry!
And don’t even get me started on what photoshop has contributed to the beauty image. Even to the point of taking fit and fabulous looking women and reconstructing them with an abnormal figure of “beauty” in some one’s mind!
Serena Williams, perfectly fit and beautiful naturally, into-image via Hello Beautiful
But the good news is there is change in the air. More people, celebrity and otherwise are speaking out; Several companies are adopting a different model strategy and, and a few women in my generation, the baby boomers, are beginning to wear their age gratefully and gracefully.
Speaking out and aging gracefully-image via Body Heart-click on pic to see this fabulous campaign
That said, it will move forward based on how we speak to our young, focusing more on their thoughts, smarts and love of reading, nature and the world at large. And, we will model it by how we feel about and talk to ourselves as well as how we “wear” our age. So I encourage all of us to…
Be You! tiful
Are you in? Will you be a role model for the New Face of Beauty ™?
Follow the ongoing conversation on the New Face of Beauty™ Board on Pinterest. I’ll see you there!
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