“Fight Ageing.” (sic – alternate spelling)

WHAT IT’S SELLING: Anti-aging cream (Bahrain)

WHAT IT’S SAYING: Gear up for battle to save your youth.

Who is she fighting, other than herself? It’s interesting that a twenty-something woman is promoting “Minus 10,” a cream that supposedly sheds 10 years off your appearance. Is she trying to look 12?

“Fights against 7 signs of aging.”

WHAT IT’S SELLING: Anti-aging cream

WHAT IT’S SAYING: Wrinkle cream is a powerful weapon.

Olay takes the combative approach as well, but instead focuses on the product itself as a weapon. The bottles are lined up like artillery, aimed and ready to fire. It’s simple and strong, but this image perpetuates the idea that aging is your enemy.

WHAT IT’S SELLING: Anti-aging cream

WHAT IT’S SAYING: Pause the aging process.

Time passes, and everyone grows older. Nivea doesn’t recommend doing anything else to pause time other than smearing some cream on your face. It’s as if factors like diet, exercise, drug/alcohol consumption, stress levels, etc, play no part in your health or appearance.

“The woman on p. 194″ caused quite an upset last month. Lizzie Miller, who appeared in the August issue of Glamour magazine, is a 20-year-old model, an athlete and a dancer. After flipping through 193 pages of skin and bones, this confident image overwhelmed and excited readers, prompting a landslide of fan response.

Cindi Leive, editor of the magazine, said “the letters blew me away: ‘the most amazing photograph I’ve ever seen in any women’s magazine,’ wrote one reader in Pavo, Georgia. From another in Somerset, Massachusetts: ‘This beautiful woman has a real stomach and did I even see a few stretch marks? This is how my belly looks after giving birth to my two amazing kids! This photo made me want to shout from the rooftops.’ The emails were filled with such joy.” [1]

Critics of plus-sized models have adjusted their eyes to see size zero as standard. They may warn against the dangers of excess weight, and associate curves with laziness or compulsive overeating. But featuring women like Lizzie Miller (and hopefully, one day, removing that label “plus-size” from sizes 8-12) is hardly advocating obesity. It’s promoting the acceptance of natural bodies and fostering a positive self-image in models and readers alike.

Former runway model Alexandra Michael spoke on the Today show about struggling to meet the industry’s ideal size of 0-2. She did drop to the goal weight, but her hair fell out in clumps and she lost her period for over a year. Even then, some designers still said she was too fat. (See Too Fat To Model?) What can be sane about a culture where “healthy” is synonymous with “overweight”?

Here we celebrate the real women who’ve built successful careers in fashion, and still get to eat lunch, too!

Crystal Renn began her modeling career at age 14, and was told to drop 50 pounds – almost a third of her body weight. She did, and suffered a health crisis as a result. She regained the weight and emerged as a plus-size model, enjoying much more success than she did as a teen.

Her autobiography, Hungry: A Young Model’s Story of Appetite, Ambition, and the Ultimate Embrace of Curves, is an “uplifting memoir with a universal message about body image, beauty, and self-confidence.” [2] [3]

Johanna Dray has appeared in the pages of French Vogue, Elle France, and Gala magazines. She is also the first plus-sized model in Europe to launch a plus-sized clothing line, named Tendances en Clair Par Johanna Dray. [4]

Kate Dillon, one of People’s 50 Most Beautiful People of 2000, grew up with the nickname “Overweight Kate.” She soon developed an eating disorder, started smoking two packs of cigarettes a day, and joined Elite modeling agency in 1991. Not unlike Crystal Renn, Dillon’s health suffered severely, and she decided to regain the weight. Now she is one of the most successful plus-sized models in America, as well as a national spokesperson for eating disorder awareness, and the founder of Echo, a nonprofit organization benefiting art programs for children. [5]

Charlotte Coyle hails from Northern Ireland and launched her career in the United States. In addition to modeling, she hosted the UK reality show Fat Beauty Contest. [4]

Amy Lemons, with a waist size of 6-8, just barely fits the plus-sized model category. Born and raised in Virginia, she now has international name recognition, appearing in German Marie Claire, Vogue Italia, Vogue UK, and Elle Portugal, among others. [6]

Ashley Graham has been a very active spokesperson for young, plus-sized models. She’s appeared on MTV’s Made (Season 8, Ep. 9) “Plus-Size Model,” in which she mentors a young girl looking to pursue a career in fashion. Graham also participated in Canada’s reality show Plus Size Model Search in the fall of 2008, guiding contestants on the catwalk. [7] [8]

Mia Tyler is the daughter of Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler, and half-sister of actress Liv Tyler. Tattooed and edgy, she’s particularly popular with companies “seeking to associate themselves with her rock n’ roll lifestyle and aesthetic.” [4]

Toccara Jones made a name for herself on the third cycle of America’s Next Top Model. Even though she didn’t win, she continues to build a successful career in both commercial and high fashion work. She’s become a sex symbol in the African American community, and speaks openly in interviews about self-esteem and body image. [4]

Natalie Wakeling is one of the most recognizable Australian plus-sized models. After Australian Cosmopolitan instated a policy of using models over an Australian size 12, they chose Wakeling as the first example. She has since gone on to create a plus-sized denim line called Embody Denim, and is an ambassador for the Eating Disorders Foundation of NSW. [4]

Chloe Marshall was the winner of British beauty pageant Miss Surrey, and was runner-up in Miss England 2008. She became the first plus-sized woman to enter the finals of the Miss England pageant. Her career in pageantry has launched a plus-sized modeling career for the 18-year-old. [9]

Barbara Brickner was discovered as a model when she entered a singing contest in Seattle, WA. At first she was offended when asked if she’d be interested in “large size modeling,” but soon changed her mind when she saw the beautiful women considered “plus-sized” by the fashion industry. Now she mentors newer models, fearful of the plus-sized label. “I always say to the newer girls, ‘do not change who you are or your size for ANY client! The jobs will come to you – be healthy and be true to yourself – no matter what.’” [10]

Natalie Laughlin is nicknamed “the Cindy Crawford of plus-sizes.” She was born in Trinidad, of English and French descent, and grew up in Miami. She earned a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Acting at NYU before signing with Ford models. Now very popular, especially abroad, Laughlin receives catalogue work as well as high fashion editorials. [11]

Whitney Thompson was the first plus-sized model to win America’s Next Top Model. The former student from Atlantic Beach, Florida, is now represented by Elite Models, and won a $100,000 contract with CoverGirl cosmetics. [12]

Queen Latifah released her first rap single at 17, emerging as “hip-hop’s renaissance feminist”. She went on to become a very successful actress, a well-known plus-size model, and the creator of both the CoverGirl cosmetics line Queen, and the perfume Queen by Queen Latifah. She “transcends age, ethnicity and size as Hollywood’s most beautiful Everywoman”. [13]

Sources:
[1] “Glamour Shocks Readers By Featuring Plus-Size Model’s Belly” (Margaret) Jezebel.com. August 20, 2009
[2] Authors Biography: Crystal Renn // Simon & Schuster Publishing
[3] Crystal Renn Mini Biography // FamousWhy.com
[4] Notable Plus-Size Models, Other Regions // Wapedia Wiki
[5] Kate Dillon: Model – People’s 50 Most Beautiful People, 2000
[6] FMD Model Profile:  Amy Lemons
[7] MTV Made: Season 8, Episode 9 – Plus-Size Model
[8] Canada’s Plus Size Model Search
[9] Chloe Marshall Official Website
[10] PlusModels: Interview with Barbara Brickner
[11] Natalie Laughlin Official Site: Biography
[12] CWTV – America’s Next Top Model, Cycle 10: Whitney Thompson
[13] People Magazine: Profile – Queen Latifah

[1]

Jessica Alba

Repositioned her head, eyes, and hair strands,
Thinned waist, thighs and knees,
Raised and enhanced chest/cleavage.

[2]

Penelope Cruz

De-frizzed and repositioned hair strands,
Lowered neckline, enhanced cleavage,
Thinned rib cage, softened collar bone,
Removed wrinkles around eyes and mouth.

[3]

Keira Knightley

Enlarged chest,
Added volume to hair,
Softened eyes and eye brows.

[2]

Kelly Clarkson

Thinned face and jawline,
Thinned stomach, thighs and behind,
Minimized shoulder.

[2]

Brittany Murphy

Removed lower eye lids,
Smoothed and softened skin tone,
Minimized shadows, brightened eyes and hair color.

[4]

Kim Kardashian

Removed cellulite and veins in legs,
Thinned waist/stomach,
Smoothed hairline and elbow.

[5]

Serena Williams

Removed circles under eyes, removed mole on shoulder,
Flattened stomach, smoothed back and thighs,
Darkened eye brows, lightened hair roots.

[6]

Faith Hill

Removed lower eye lids, softened lines around mouth,
Minimized her arm, back and collar bone,
Thinned thighs and waist.

[2]

Nicollette Sheridan

Removed bags from under eyes,
Removed wrinkles from eyes, mouth, neck and hands.

[2]

Eva Longoria

Removed dark circles under eyes, removed blemish on cheek,
Thinned waist, made shirt more transparent,
Enlarged arm, thighs and behind,
Enhanced eyes and hair color.

[2]

Mena Suvari

Removed acne from forehead,
Evened skin tone, brightened eye color.

[7]

Madonna

Removed bags from under eyes,
Removed wrinkles,
Brightened eyes, hair, and skin tone.

[8]

Britney Spears

Enlarged/ repositioned head, hair and necklace,
Enlarged/ raised contrast on eyes and mouth,
Removed minor wrinkles from eyes, mouth and neck,
Brightened eyes, hair, and skin tone.

[9] [10]

Clive Owen (Lancome Men’s Perfume Ad, and Lancome Men’s Anti-Aging Cream Ad)

Softened lower eye lids,
Removed wrinkles from eyes, forehead and mouth,
Smoothed skin tone.

[2]

Tyra Banks

Removed lower eye lids, removed fine hairs on upper lip,
Enhanced eye color, whitened teeth,
De-frizzed and repositioned hair strands.

[11]

Mariah Carey (on set for photo shoot, and final published photo)

Smoothed and thinned stomach, shrunk belly button,
Raised chest, altered swimsuit top,
Evened skin tone, removed tan lines.

[12]

Rachel Weisz

Raised head, lightened facial features,
Thinned arms, knees and calves.

[13]

Jonathan Rhys Meyers

Removed dark circles from under eyes,
Brightened eyes and evened out skin tone.

[14]

Justin Timberlake

Removed dark circles from under eyes,
Removed shine and creases from forehead,
Brightened eyes and hair color, smoothed skin tone.

[14]

Cameron Diaz

Made breasts more symmetrical,
Softened hip bones, smoothed skin tone,
Brightened eyes and hair color.

[2]

[2]

Beyonce

Thinned stomach, hips, and calf muscle,
Removed bags from under eyes, repositioned eye lids,
Defrizzed and repositioned hair strands.

[15]

Heidi Klum & Cast of Project Runway, Season 1

Cast Members:
Moved Wendy Pepper’s head up and to the right, (possibly a position taken from another photo.)

Heidi:
Thinned waist and hips,
Raised and enhanced chest/cleavage,
Removed veins and ankle bone from foot.

Sources:

[1] “Jessica Alba: Latest Photoshop Victim” Socialite Life Blog. December 8, 2008

[2] “Celebrities Before and After Photoshop” Hemmy Galleries

[3] “Keira Knightley Bazoomed for King Arthur Promotion” Gawker.com, July 8, 2004

[4] “Kim Kardashian on retouched Complex magazine photos: Yup – I have cellulite!” (Korin Miller) Daily News. March 26, 2009

[5] “Celebrities Without Photoshop” CrazyGossip Blog. December 23, 2006

[6] Photo Tampering Throughout History // Dartmouth Study

[7] “Before and After?: Photoshop is Madonna’s Best Frenemy” (Michelle Collins) VH1 Best Week Ever. March 27, 2009

[8] “Britney Spears With and Without Photoshop” Team Sugar Blog. May 30, 2007

[9] “Love it or Hate it? Clive Owen for Lancome Hypnose for Men” Team Sugar Blog. October 20, 2007

[10] “What Did Lancome Do to Clive Owen’s Face?” Back in Skinny Jeans Blog. April 4, 2008

[11] “Mariah Carey in a Bikini: Before and After Photoshop” Current.com Clipper, July 4, 2008

[12] “Celebrity Photoshop Before and Afters” TopSocialite.com, February 8, 2008

[13] “iWanex Studio: Professional Photo Retouching Services” Online Portfolio

[14] “Photo Perfect or Photoshop? Celebrity Tricks Revealed” Mocha City. September 2, 2007

[15] Project Runway Retouched Promo // Brian Dilg Photography

A conversation about beauty, ego, and the flip-side of flattery…

From the Sundance Channel short documentary series, “The Art of Seduction”.

]]> http://stilettorevolt.com/2009/07/short-doc-not-pretty-really/feed/ 5 http://stilettorevolt.com/2009/04/pageant-life-a-cultural-miss-step/ http://stilettorevolt.com/2009/04/pageant-life-a-cultural-miss-step/#comments Wed, 22 Apr 2009 18:56:41 +0000 Morgan Elizabeth http://stilettorevolt.wordpress.com/?p=201 The 58th annual Miss USA pageant aired April 19, 2009, and another herd of princesses trotted like chattel around the stage. Doused in sequins and self tanner, donning Stepford smiles, they recite politically correct cliches and pose for the cameras. Are these women strong and suitable role models, or pleasant and agreeable paper-dolls? It’s debatable.

THE QUEEN OF PROMOTIONAL GIMMICKS

Beauty pageants began for money. In 1921, Atlantic City hotel owners used a swimsuit contest as a promotional gimmick to keep tourists around after Labor Day.

National media coverage and financial success prompted them to bring it back the following year. It was renamed the “Miss America Pageant” to evoke patriotic sensationalism, and was soon established as an annual event.  Thus, a tradition was born.

Today there are over 150,000 annual beauty contests in the U.S. alone.

PAGEANT DRAMA

1966 – Kiddie Porn?

Little Miss Universe, the first international pageant for children is disbanded, considered inappropriate and exploitative of minors.

It spawns a host of copycat pageants for kids. To date, there are over 25,000 annual child pageants in the U.S. alone. The “Little Miss Universe” pageant was revived in Eastern Europe in 2006.

1968- Feminist Wars

The Women’s Liberation Front protests the Miss America Pageant, setting ablaze symbols of the beauty culture in a “freedom trash can”. FBI anti-riot squads are called in, and the commotion is audible during the pageant telecast.

1973 – Miss Nympho World

The first Miss USA to win Miss World, Marjorie Wallace, is stripped of the title when her string of affairs with Hollywood bachelors is made public. She notably declares, “As Miss World I can get laid with any man I pick.”

Penthouse dethrones the first black Miss America

1984 – First Black Miss America Dethroned

Vanessa Williams, the first African-American Miss America, is forced to resign when nude photos of her are published by Penthouse.

1997 – Donald Trump Buys Miss USA

Business tycoon Donald Trump purchases the Miss Teen USA, Miss USA, and Miss Universe pageants, making them more overtly sexual than ever before.

The Donald also threatens to dethrone the reigning Miss Universe 1996, Alicia Machado, for gaining weight. On the Howard Stern Radio show, Trump calls Miss Universe fat, saying Machado is “an eating machine”.

2001 – Late Show Lawsuit

Miss Colombia, Andrea Noceti, threatens to sue David Letterman, host of the famous late night talk show, for quipping that her talent performance would include swallowing bags of heroin.

2002- Muslims Protest Miss World

Several hundred people are killed in riots outside the Miss World competition in Nigeria, a predominately Muslim country. The pageant, deemed unholy by locals, quickly relocates to London.

2002 – Israel vs. Lebanon

Miss Lebanon, Christina Sawaya, drops out of the Miss Universe pageant, refusing to share the stage with Miss Israel. The nations of Lebanon and Israel have a long history of political and military strife.

2006 – Affair With Pageant Judge

Miss Great Britain, Danielle Lloyd, is stripped of her title for having an affair with a judge during the competition, and posing for a series of provocative photo shoots, including Playboy, Nuts, Maxim, FHM and Daily Star.

Judge Todd Sheringham conducted Lloyd’s question-and-answer portion of the show. The question was, “What is your idea of the perfect man?” She answered, “You!” in front of millions of viewers. This spawned the investigation and subsequent dethroning of the beauty queen.

Lloyd has since participated in numerous reality shows including Celebrity Big Brother, Celebrity Weakest Link, and My Super Sweet 16 UK.

2006 – Nevada Girls Gone Wild

Miss Nevada, Katie Rees, is dethroned when photos emerge of her flashing her breasts and groping other women. See the photos here. (NSFW obviously)

2006 – Miss Coked Out USA

Miss USA Tara Conner is caught using cocaine with Miss Teen USA. The two are also caught making out for a crowd at a New York nightclub.

Pageant owner Donald Trump allows Conner to keep her crown, under the condition she complete a 30-day rehabilitation program.

2007 – It’s Sabotage

Miss Puerto Rico, Ingrid Marie Rivera, is the victim of attempted sabotage when her gown and makeup are doused in pepper spray.

2007 – Miss Washington Says F*ck Off

Miss Washington, Elyse Umemoto, is photographed binge-drinking, making sexually explicit hand gestures, and flipping off the camera in her tiara.

2007- South Carolina and The Iraq

Miss Teen South Carolina becomes a YouTube sensation with her confusing take on geography and education.(watch her speech here)

2008- Toke, Dine & Ditch

Miss Teen Louisiana, Lindsey Evans, had to turn in her sash and crown after being arrested for skipping out on a $46.07 restaurant bill. Upon arrest, several ounces of marijuana were found in her purse, adding to the charges against her.

Miss Teen Louisiana 2008's mugshot

2009 – Health Care and “Opposite Marriage”

In the 2009 Miss USA pageant, Miss Arizona found a way to completely dodge a question on health care, and Miss California came under fire for her response to a question about gay rights.

2009 – Miss Emaciation

A 2009 Australian contender for Miss Universe, Stephanie Naumoska, stands 5′7″ and 107 lbs. Dietician Melanie McGrice told Australia’s Daily Mail that the 19-year-old was well under the World Health Organisation’s benchmark for malnutrition.

2009 – Ms. USA Does Dallas

1991’s Miss USA, Kelli McCarty, becomes a porn star at age 39. She explains the choice by saying, “I enjoy acting,and I really like sex.” Some say this is further proof that not all pageant girls are suitable role models.

The ideals many pageants tout, whether it’s professionalism, service, humility or morality, are all valuable concepts. Many pageant participants are in fact good natured, helpful in their community, and miraculously, not apparent narcissists. But perfection will probably never be attainable, as evidenced by the many dethroned and dishonored beauties.

Article Sources:

“Beauty Blunders: Pageant Scandals Through the Years” (AOL Television Online) 2009

“Beauty Queen Dethroned After Arrest For Skipping Out on Restaurant Bill” (Fox News Online) October 23, 2008

“Danielle Lloyd – Miss Great Britain Stripped of Title Over Scandal” (Contact Music) February 1, 2007

Kelli McCarty Official Site (www.kellimccarty.com)

“Miss Nevada Katie Rees Fired Over Raunchy Photos” (Fox News Online) December 22, 2006

“Miss Washington – One Bad Apple” (TMZ Online) July 9, 2008

Pageant Almanac Online

PageantCenter.com History and Pageant Timeline

“Pageant Scandal: Miss Puerto Rico’s Makeup and Dress Doused With Pepper Spray (Us Magazine Celebrity News Online) November 26, 2007

MISS LANDMINE ANGOLA 2008

The 27-year Angola civil war ended in 2002, during which millions of landmines were planted throughout the country. Combat may have ceased, but civilians still live in fear that they’ll encounter leftover buried mines. Those who do, and survive, are irreparably deformed.

The first “Miss Landmine” pageant was held April 2, 2008, in Angola’s capital, Luanda. Eighteen disfigured women competed, one from every province in the country. The pageant was organized by Angola’s de-mining commission in hopes of restoring victims’ confidence, as well as raising awareness of their plight.

Miss Malange, Miss Uige, Miss Cuanza Sul before the Swimsuit Competition

TOP 10 PAGEANT FINALISTS

PAGEANT WINNER

Miss Landmine 2008, Maria Restina Manueal (Cuanza Sul, Angola)

MISS LANDMINE CAMBODIA 2009

Miss Landmine Angola garnered so much attention, that Norwegian pageant director Morten Traavik decided to take the pageant to Cambodia, where a similar landmine problem exists.

Pageant Director Traavik with an African amputee victim

“My feminist mother was very unimpressed by the idea of a beauty pageant,” said Traavik, 36. “Here in Norway beauty pageants are regarded as the work of the devil. They’re seen as very, very politically incorrect.” The decision to call awareness to the issue is controversial, as some people view it as exploitation, and others see it as a potentially empowering experience for the contestants.

Cambodian activist Kek Galabru disapproves of the Cambodia pageant

Kek Galabru, the president of the Phnom Penh human rights group Licadho in Cambodia, opposes the pageant.“No doubt awareness is important,” she said. “But for me this is using the victims. For them it is still very painful. But they’re saying ‘look at me, I’m still beautiful, even though I’ve lost my leg.’ We don’t need to raise awareness in this questionable way.”

Still, production of the pageant pushes forward. A few format changes will be necessary, such as eliminating the swimsuit competition, since Cambodia is a conservative Buddhist nation. But he’s secured support of Cambodian authorities, as well as Cambodia’s Disabled People’s Organization.

Miss Cambodia contestants 2009

Not all the contestants are officially named yet, but with approximately 25,000 amputee victims living in the country, there should be no shortage of applicants.

“What I set out to achieve – indeed I think we’ve achieved it already – was to highlight globally a very serious and unnecessary social problem,” Traavik said. “This contest attracts attention to the issue, but it also challenges our western way of looking at the third world. I’m so fed up of social campaigns with black and white photos of Africans or Cambodians, in rags.”

Sources:

Miss Landmine Cambodia 2009

Angola to Host Landmine Pageant // BBC News (Mary Harper) 3.26.08

MissLandmine.org