174 / IS FASHION MOTIVATION FOR WEIGHT LOSS?

At the beginning of every year, we are inundated with pressure to set new year’s resolutions. Whether it be to stress less, quit smoking or lose weight, its all very predictable. We’ve all seen it, the overbearing pressure to be thin. The pressure to conform to society’s idea of beauty. However it seems that the pressure that some people place upon themselves is so intense that I sometimes have to question their motivation.

We all fall victim in some way, shape or form. Saying we just need to lose 10 lbs so that we can fit into a wedding dress or a favorite pair of jeans, going on a diet for two weeks before that 20 year high school reunion. We all have our moments of vanity. We all want to look fabulous no matter what size the tag says but where should the line be drawn? Is using something as superficial as fashion a good thing?

I usually stay away from the topic of weight loss here on the blog because its a touchy subject for many people. However this topic still intrigues me especially with the onslaught of weight loss commercials, shows, products and the like in the new year. Tell me, do you use fashion as a main motivator when it comes to getting in shape/losing weight? Or is health always the number one factor? Let me know in the comments!

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The post below is an old one that sparked some great discussion in the comments and I wanted to re-post for the new year.

I came across this image via Kanye’s blog a while ago and saved it because it intrigued me. As a graphic designer, I was initially drawn to the juxtaposition of the Chanel logo and the fast food containers. I then noticed the quote from Karl Lagerfeld in the bottom left corner which says “Fashion is the healthiest motivation for losing weight.” My immediate reaction was ‘Hmm… that’s an interesting statement.’ I then sat and thought about it. Karl used to be a much bigger guy and he has stated many times that his sole motivation for losing the weight was to fit into the clothing of Heidi Slimane, designer for Dior Homme. So when I heard it, I didn’t think much of it at the time. Karl is known to say some outlandish things that people rarely bat an eyelash at.

In September 2008, US Vogue published their Shape issue with LeBron James and Gisele on the cover. Inside was a piece on Kate and Laura Mulleavy, the amazing sister duo behind Rodarte. Neither sister was remotely close to being a sample size and they were seemingly okay with that. However, Vogue editors suggested that they ‘get healthy’ which is really code for ‘lose some weight’ (as they famously made Oprah do before they shot her for the Vogue cover). The sisters agreed and the magazine paid for them to work out with a personal trainer and have meals delivered to them for four months. In return, the girls chronicled their journey which was published in said Shape issue. An uproar swirled around both the sisters and the magazine with people feeling as though the Vogue editors were out-of-line with their suggestion. Others felt as though no line was crossed and because the sisters accepted their suggestion, the sisters were okay with it.

Marc Jacobs was another one that went through a recent transformation. After his breakup with Jason Preston, Marc did an entire overhaul of his appearance. He went on a strict diet, cut off his hair, got contact lenses and a serious tan. The thing with Marc is that, I feel like that was his Waiting to Exhale moment. He wanted to start over and that is something men and women do all over the world after getting out of a difficult relationship. Therefore I don’t know if the reasoning for his transformation was to cleanse his soul or for more superficial reasonings.

Regardless of which side one falls on, the question still remains… Is fashion the main motivation for industry weight loss? As a model, the answer is a resounding yes but for designers who aren’t being held to the same standard and do not have to fit into sample sizes, what is the reasoning? If they ‘get healthy’ does that in turn project a better image thus creating more business? I also wonder how one feels if they are plus sized and working in the fashion industry making straight size clothes. Would they feel a certain way because even they cannot fit into the clothing they are making? Are they comfortable with the image that they are projecting when they themselves know its not realistic?

Designer Alber Elbaz had this to say: “I am overweight, so I am very, very aware of what to show and what not to show, and I am sure there is a huge link with being an overweight designer and the work I do. My fantasy is to be skinny.”

Interesting, no?

Here are the transformation photos of some of fashion’s biggest names…

Mulleavy Sisters Before

Mulleavy Sisters After

Marc Jacobs Before/After

Karl Lagerfeld Before

Karl Lagerfeld After