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
