Before I was gung-ho on the idea of working in fashion public relations, I wanted to be a counselor specializing in eating disorders for adolescents. So, I would like to take the time this week to talk about eating disorders and body image problems given that it is National Eating Disorders Awareness Week.

Many state that the ideal female body is regarded as having large breasts, a small waist, broad hips, long legs, toned muscles, and light skin. From collected studies, many can find the media’s influence on our younger generation. In Sarah Grogan’s Body Image, it is noted that girls, as young as the age of five, demonstrate a preference for thinner figures, as well as calorie restriction as a means of weight loss. With characteristics such as these, it is no wonder that approximately ten million women each year (diagnosed, mind you) suffer from an eating disorder.

The biggest problem with body image is the failure to recognize the opposite sex’s ideal and realize who they are trying to appease. What I mean by this is that when given a figural rating scale (pictured above), men would often select a fuller figure than fellow women would pick. Therefore, one can conclude that women are not realizing that they are in fact trying to seek the approval of one another more so than they are with men. In which case, the comparisons are more strenuous given that they blanket their comparisons to one another with herself to his ideals.

What is also cause for alarm is that young women are able to justify to themselves that they do not have an eating disorder because their condition does not match the textbook description of anorexia or bulimia nervosa, or binge eating disorder. In which case, many fall under the little known category EDNOS (eating disorder not otherwise specified) where not all symptoms are matched but behaviors are enough to classify a person as having a problem warranting attention.

Often, there is an underlying issue to an eating disorder; many do not have control over their actual lives and resort to food as a means of exerting control in a way that they are sure to “win.” Such is often why we see eating disorders paired with other issues, such as depression or a troubled home life.

And although many say that the fashion industry is to blame, there have been improvements made and hopes to gain more traction in the movement towards a healthier body image. A week prior to New York Fashion Week, the CFDA held a panel discussion entitled “The Beauty of Health: Resizing the Sample Size,” in which it was agreed upon there is a need for change; however, it must be a collective effort by the whole industry and just not by a select few. And from when the Brazilian girl had collapsed and died several years ago, we also have to note how the attitude toward thinness has vastly changed. Where many had before perceived the average American size of fourteen to be negative, many are beginning to embrace it, especially with the launch of several plus-size lines (including the premiere of Project Runway Canada Jessica Biffi’s plus-sized collection) and voice their opinions (such as with the heavily digitally edited Ralph Lauren advertisements).

The key here is to provide support. If you believe someone you know has an eating disorder, do not be afraid to contact a medical personnel or someone that can give you access to such resources.

Ralph Lauren flubs again with model Valentina Zelyaeva

For more information, check out the National Eating Disorders Awareness website

Logo courtesy of NEDA, figural rating scale courtesy of Nature.com, another Ralph Lauren flub by news.com.au

Barb :: Feb.24.2010 :: Culture :: No Comments »

Overlooking SoHo, 82 Mercer’s 2nd floor was filled with excited guests and previews of the hottest Japanese designers in anticipation of next week’s Japan Fashion Week in Tokyo. Featuring three preview designs each from aptform, CHAOLU lab, MIKIO SAKABE, Naoshi Sawayanagi, SHIDA TATSUYA, The Dress & Co. HIDEAKI SAKAGUCHI, tiny dinosaur, and YU, models stood on risers and spotlighted with strong lighting, while waiters meandered through the crowds serving hors d’oeuvres and wine.

When we often think of foreign designers, especially from Asia, there is a perception that the aesthetic is incredibly different. However, this preview seems to disprove such thoughts, as we can see similar taste in trends for this upcoming fall and winter. The bohemian look is ever present, but with more hints of warmer palettes than what we have seen so far from the tents. Furs were present plain and with patterns,as well as blazers and plays on what was once seen as purely office wear.

On the way out of the venue, guests were handed their coats from check-in and a canvas bag, which contained an invitation to the Japan-FPO Exhibition this weekend at La Venue featuring several of the designers seen at the presentation.

Tinydinosaur - adorable name for a company

The white dress with silver neck decoration was gorgeous

The overall concept of how the previews were set up

Shida Tatsuya; lovely preview

The Dress Co.

Live DJ makes all the difference

The crowd marvels at the presentation

Barb :: Feb.19.2010 :: Fashion :: No Comments »

Featuring the theme artificial life, Toni Francesc boldly explored the realm of androgyny, technology, and the future in his new collection, which debuted Tuesday night at Bryant Park. Seated in my chair, I watched as look after look came out to impress me. The only opposition I had to the show was the music, which I found to be a little slow and dragging for my taste.

With hair slicked back and molded into the shape of the back of an alien’s head, the concept of forwardness and future was well conveyed. The color palette was fairly muted with colors that were not extremely strong, and that were in fact a reference to industrial and rusted metal elements. What was key to keeping collection interesting, though, were the many shapes in designs that were introduced. Bat wings were incorporated to provide a looser fit in some looks, whereas in others, Francesc made use of slimline silhouettes and high waist pants. One of the favorites is a slim-fit jacket, which has pointed shoulders – not only is there attitude in the jacket itself but there is also a sense of class with the tailoring.

The beauty truly lies in the lookbook itself, which best conveys the fusion of technology and man. Here are several snapshots from the catalog below, which feature electrical wires and other industrial elements intertwined with the model and Francesc’s designs.

Grey dress on the runway

The suit of the modern day

With wires and a hue resembling copper

Hello modernity

Gorgeous photograph

Slim-fit jacket featuring pointed shoulders

Lookbook images and profile picture courtesy of People’s Revolution.

Barb :: Feb.18.2010 :: Fashion :: 1 Comment »