communikate

'Photoshopped' versus reality

Every now and then magazines will do something out of the ordinary to shock the public, whether in a bid to boost readership or simply to publicise an organisation or cause.

Most recently Marie Claire was scrutinised as to why it chose to put model and former Miss Universe, Jennifer Hawkins, nude – without any airbrushing or enhancement - on its February cover as a way of celebrating the female body. The magazine stated a framed copy of the image would be auctioned off with proceeds going to The Butterfly Foundation, which provides support for Australians with eating disorders and negative body image issues.

Personally I think this is a small step forward in promoting the use of untouched images of models and celebrities in magazines, but was Marie Claire’s choice to use Jen the right one? Is she really someone who’s going to make me feel proud and confident about my body? After all, she is a lingerie model who gets paid to wear next-to-nothing in advertising campaigns and keep her body in shape.

Yes, the magazine wants to promote a healthy lifestyle and positive body image, but I wonder if the everyday woman relates to Jennifer.

We buy magazines and aspire to recreate what we see in them in our own lives, so do we actually want to see more real women in magazines or do we like the edited versions?

Research shows that exposure to the images of wafer thin and airbrushed models can be linked to depression and loss of self-esteem. With that in mind, we have someone like supermodel Kate Moss causing outrage last year by revealing that she lives by the motto “nothing tastes as good as skinny feels”. Imagine the impact this would have had on impressionable young girls across the world, who are already feeling vulnerable.  This shocking statement would have surely become the mantra for some of these teens in their unhealthy pursuit for an unrealistic thinness. 

An untouched fashion magazine cover is certainly a step in the right direction in raising awareness of what is real, but choosing an Australian icon like Hawkins who only has minor dimpling on her thighs and a crease on her waist isn't exactly groundbreaking. Yes, Jennifer Hawkins equals sales but is she REALity?

- Natasha Cicchiello - Frontline Operations & Team Support

The material on this web page comprises the personal views of the author and does not represent the view or opinion of communikate et al. communikate et al accepts no liability for the content of this web page.

Comments