Posts tagged glamour
Fearofletters
Anti-Anorexia Spokeswoman Dies
Usually I try to confine this blog to the realm of popular culture — music, film, books. If anything, for focus purposes and to practice my “main craft.” But after reading on Glamour’s Vitamin G blog of Isabelle Caro’s passing, something shook me. She was 28 years old.
I was never fully aware of Caro’s story, and merely read of the French actress/model’s controversial photos for an anti-anorexia ad campaign in Italy. The image is blunt, harsh and real. Some responded negatively, disgusted that a company would openly and freely display the image. However some women were surprised and more importantly found solace…they weren’t alone.
In a statement, her rep said that she “had been sick for a long time.” Caro had been struggling along her uphill battle with anorexia since she was 13 years old.
Although it is undoubtedly sad to see a woman that was a hero to many struggling with the disease effortlessly lose her battle, what hit me most was the array of comments from women explaining their similar battles with anorexia, body dysmorphobia and other eating disorders. I, along with a strong number of women in my life, look at myself in the mirror and always manage to knit-pick and see something I’d like to change. This is something I’ve acknowledged long ago in my struggle to lose weight and have, not so easily, changed. Now I’m healthy and most importantly happy with where I stand. But there are some that are not so lucky. In the back of some minds there’s always somebody younger, prettier, thinner, more toned, more tan, etc.
Some may argue that ad campaigns, including the one featuring Caro, don’t affect nor stop the increase in eating disorder victims. Other media images are far too strong in number and message. In the end, they are branded into our brains and are carried into how we think, act, dress and live. But regardless of whether these campaigns “work,” if anything, it shows that we, as women, aren’t alone. In fact, it reaffirms how important it is that we stand by each other and are there for support and love, rather than tear each other down. Look out for each other, ladies. It’s a dark, roller coaster of a world out there and we need as much help as we can get. And most importantly, remember that no matter how different you may seem, you are beautiful.
