Fashion or Fascists? Exploiting the Anorexic...

"Italy's anti-anorexia ads have divided France's powerful fashion industry -- with the high end couture federation deeming them "scandalous" while its ready-to-wear cousin hails a fresh move to keep skinny models out of fashion.

Asked to comment on photographer Oliviero Toscani's striking image of a nude anorexic woman which was plastered on billboards and in magazines across Italy this week, Didier Grumbach, head of the French Couture Federation, told AFP:

"I'm pleased this is not happening in France. I find this absolutely scandalous.

"Winning notoriety through people's illness is painful. What we're seeing here is sensationalism by a label, to the detriment of an extremely serious social problem," Grumbach said.

Toscani's picture of Frenchwoman Isabelle Caro, who weighs just 32 kilogrammes (70 pounds) for a height of 1.65 metres, is part of a campaign by Italian clothing firm No-l-ita that was launched in the middle of Milan fashion week under the slogan "No to Anorexia."

Warning: Graphic image of naked anorexic woman from an Italian newspaper ad is at this link, the original post on Hollywood Madness.

Note: The woman in the picture IS NOT a Model !

This strikes me as pure sensationalism and exploitation. Why is there any debate over such a monstrous abuse of our senses, a desensitization of public morality?

Oh, they say, the public has a right to know.

What about the public's right to NOT KNOW every darn detail of every darn condition that we're supposed to be alarmed about? What about our right not to have our eyeballs assaulted.

Now if you're reading this, I know it's because you are concerned about these things and having the image here is required for you to think critically of this insanity.

Of course the fashion world is noted for its common sense and decency...



See all the pics from the Milan fashion show...