Modeling week in Milan, with Isabel Caros' alarming photos, has certainly got everyone talking about Anorexia, but after the glam of the fashion week is over for 2007, will most of us simply go on, and forget? Lets hope not.
Italy, Spain and London kept their promise to maintain a healthy attitude with their Models, plus, they have campaigned with outreach awareness for anorexia.
It makes one ask though--
Are Models the only people affected?
How about this question?
Can we completely blame the industry for setting the example that women live by?
And-- more so getting to the point.
Is there anything else that can be done?
First of all.
Of course Models aren't the only ones affected, they happen to be the ones who can't hide it as easily as those who don't go on film for a living.
Secondly.
Blaming the industry isn't going to make the problem go away, and the Fashion Industry, most admirably is one of the first of many industries taking action.
Thirdly.
Of course there is something that can be done, that's the power of the people. Internationally combined, we can stand very strong, if we keep talking about Anorexia, and Bulimia, and educating and supporting one another, then the numbers of those suffering from it, would surely decrease.
How else can we help?
Keeping the memory of those who died from the disease alive by marking a day, an awareness day for Anorexia Nervosa, and Bulimia would not only keep the memory alive, of the three Models who died from anorexia over the run of one year, but it also would represent all the untold stories. It would be a reminder to all of us, not to get too carried away with skinny trends again. It would keep the next generation, well, simply put, healthy.
Next month will mark the first year after the death of Brazilian Model Ana Carolina Reston, who was 21, she reportedly lived on apples, and tomatoes, and weighed 88 lbs standing at 5'7". She had died of kidney failure caused by malnutrition, due to anorexia. She also died in between the months of two Uruguayan sister Models, 18 year old Eliana Ramos who died in February 2007, and Luisel Ramos, who died six months prior, both lost their lives to anorexia nervosa.
This November, after the leaves have fallen from the trees, before the stillness of winter sets in, after Halloween, and before Christmas. After the rush of the Fashion week, we should all wear a red pin in the shape of an apple. The apple my friends represents the feminine, the garden of Eden, mother nature, and love. The representation a simple red apple holds is something that has been known throughout history, and it would be understood. And best of all, apples are not only a symbol of love and fertility, it is also a healthy snack, (not a meal, but a snack).
Eating disorders in all societies, in so many different countries is a real threat to our youth, men and women alike. There is no quick cure, there is no pill one can take, therapy doesn't always work, and the Modeling Industry needs our help to keep the campaign alive.
What else can we do?
There's plenty we can do, if we all work as a team!
1. Pressuring clothing stores, like in Spain, they tossed out mannequins that were under an American size 6. That is a great start.
2. Banning weight loss scams, as seen on television and magazines and the internet is another good step.
3. Teaching our youth that Jen Lopez is exactly right, you don't have to fit into the smallest dress size ever made to be beautiful. She is the new face of beauty, along with Drew Barrymore, and our youth could learn something from such positive role models.
4. By not buying into gimmicks, and statistics that tell us our countries are obese just to get ratings, or sell useless products.
5. Pressure, Movie, and Television Studios to cast healthy actors/actresses, and if it is suspected that their health may be failing because they are too thin, they should be provided with help. Some Models might agree that fair is fair, and Actors on film and television be tested for healthy body mass levels like Models. (Models have to put up with it.)
On November second, the day after All Saints Day, lets everyone put on a red apple pin, make one from felt, get creative, but let's show the world that we care about combating eating disorders.
Isabel Caros' brave undertaking of posing nude, when she was weighing in at 68.2 lbs, (30kilos) inspired this article. If Isabel can be that brave, then why can't I, little Sacreeta with e-articles, suggest to all of my readers, and beyond, that we have a one day a year to campaign for anorexia.
On the runway, let the Models wear red, or an apple pin, to remember their lost coworkers.
In schools let children learn of the disease before they are old enough to develop the mental state that binds a person to anorexia.
Let there be charities donating to anorexia funds, let us keep talking, and never stop until its a thing of the past. You know folks, the concept of an apple a year, in respect of curing anorexia, and other eating disorders, is something I hope catches on, and the apple in this article is one I made, and you are welcome to use it.
Anorexia is a serious disease that kills, we all need to take a piece of the responsibility, not just weigh it on the shoulders of the Modeling Industry, we can't forget those who died from this, lets all make some shiny red apple pins, pendants, webart, bake an apple pie, drink apple cider, what ever works for you, and on November 02/07 openly talk about anorexia.
Remember, it affects the poor, the rich, the old, the young, women, and surprisingly enough, men.
Peace and Love
Sacreeta
