BlogHer - airbrushing - Comments

Good Post

GlindaofOz — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 09:16:49 -0500

I read something about this not too long ago. Unfortunately I can't remember the exact specifics or where I read it (sorry). But they were talking about how we will never see real women in magazines because the advertisers and magazine editors don't want to see it. They all believe that they are selling a "fantasy" and apparently being 5'11 and 100 pounds is a woman's fantasy. Who knew?

I always say that I would love to be able to start my own fashion magazine where no one under 150 pounds would be allowed on the pages. Who wants to see what clothes look like on a model? I want to see how they are going to look on me, not someone 6 inches taller and 50 pounds lighter.

I completely agree with your assertion. Magazines that boast being supportive of women still feature the same stupid diets and airbrused model pictures of every other magazine. I get that advertisers support the magazine industry but if the readers are tired of seeing the same stupid vacant, starving models on the inside who is really driving the industry?

Self-discovery through fashion!

www.wisdomofglinda.com

http://askglinda.blogspot.com

http://glindaofoz.blogspot.com

Slayer in Swimsuit!

Angelohara — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 21:56:33 -0500

I was so inspired by this post and by Queen of Spain, I joined in :)

http://slayerintraining.blogspot.com/2007/09/swimsuits-for-blogher.html

It's from 2 years ago, and only half of me, but I don't often let myself be photographed in a swimsuit ;) Thanks for giving me the courage to show this photo!

Angel
headacheslayer.blogspot.com
slayerintraining.blogspot.com

Hurray! Keep the pictures coming!

Suzanne Reisman — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 21:42:54 -0500

After the Glamour/America Ferrera debacle, we need these pictures more than ever. If you post your picture on your own blog, please tag it "swimsuit brigade" and/or link it here so that you are counted!

Everyone looks awesome in their own skin!

Suzanne Reisman, BlogHer Contributing Editor - Feminism & Gender
Campaign for Unshaved Snatch (CUSS)& Other Ran

You Ladies Rock!

ExpectingExecutive — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 20:51:10 -0500

It is soooo important to love your body. I try to keep in mind that while many of my "parts" may meet with my unrealistic ideal, there are so many who would give anything to be able to use or replace missing or paralyzed parts.

We are all lovely, fortunate women - me thinks!

Have a great weekend!

Erin
ExpectingExecutive - Helping Women Manage Life's Details

Finally

Erin Kotecki Vest — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 00:25:56 -0500

Politics & News Contributing Editor
Queen of Spain

Finally did it!

debra roby — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 20:46:30 -0500

Finally got a photo of me in my current swimsuit online.

http://flickr.com/photos/darinhercules/1225638040/
(the photo is strangely stretched when uploaded here). It's stretched out and needs to be replaced (the excess is tied behind by back), but still looks OK. BTW, is there a tag to use on Flickr for these?

I LOVE the tankinis that Land's End makes. They fit real women's bodies. Yes, I ordered 4suits today to try on in the comfort of my own home to replace this one.

And I blogged it here!

Debra
A Stitch In Time
Deb's Daily Distractions

or sight

Erin Kotecki Vest — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 14:43:33 -0500

wow. too much web-surfing today

Politics & News Contributing Editor
Queen of Spain

I broke my camera

Erin Kotecki Vest — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 14:43:08 -0500

Ok, it wasn't the site of me in a swimsuit..but I'm working to fix a dropped camera. Stay tuned.

Politics & News Contributing Editor
Queen of Spain

Yay grass roots!

Suzanne Reisman — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 16:18:50 -0500

I'm so excited and touched that everyone is participating in some way! This is great.
Don't forget to tag your post Swimsuit Brigade so that technorati and other sites pick it up!

Suzanne, BlogHer Contributing Editor - Feminism & Gender
Campaign for Unshaved Snatch (CUSS)& Other Rants

I tried

super des — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 14:30:28 -0500

I put on my swimsuit and.... it was far too small. No wonder it took me 1/2 an hour just to get it on. So no picture from me :( though I did still post as an advertisement to others to participate

(Here's the link.)

OK, I'm in.

avengingophelia — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 11:47:26 -0500

This is an old picture, but not that much has changed, and I really wanted to participate. I'm so proud of all of us!

Snort! Freudian slip!

Birdie Jaworski — Sun, 19 Aug 2007 06:37:30 -0500

That's too funny, Liz!!! Well, I took a full body shot (WITH suit, NO Skirt, ha ha) and will be blogging it this week once I"m home from my teacher's retreat.

Birdie
Birdie's BlogHer Blog
La Pajaro

This is the REAL THING

Danette — Sun, 19 Aug 2007 06:33:08 -0500

How many times do we turn on the TV or open a magazine and have all these beautiful bodies staring back at us? But honestly, how real are they? As the posts attest to, without all the airbrushing, cosmetics, wardrobe (or lack of it) and fuss, these young girls/women wouldn't be nearly as glamorous.
At least we have our self worth, our dignity and for many of us, happiness in our lives. We are all fabulous in our own way, with something special inside of us, and as long as we realise this, we will accept ourselves as we are.
I think you are so brave Suzanne for donning the swimsuit and taking your picture to post here, and if I had one, I would join you. My excuse? It is winter here in Sydney, Australia and my swimsuits are all packed away until Summer approaches. I could post one in my daggy trackies which would cause just as much a stir.
You go girl, and yes, I too have jumped on your bandwagon.

Absolutely...Fabulous at 40
Cheers
Danette
www.fabat40.com

Thin isn't in

Denise — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 19:50:58 -0500

Talk to any really thing teenage girl or young adult and she will tell you she hates wearing a swimsuit as much as anyone else. It's just as troubling to me.

Bah.

~Denise
Fast Times @ Homeschool High & Flamingo House Happenings

Truth, lies and ads

snigdhasen — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 18:58:47 -0500

Hey S! Thanks for responding :)

While I agree with your thesis that "models don't speak for us", I think they aren't even trying to. They are speaking for the product they are selling. Period. Companies need to make their products look "good" and they'll do anything to make that happen, air-brushing, camera angles, et al.
The problem arises when people start internalizing what they see, and believe them to be true. I think the way to tackle this is to expose them. Which is where your campaign can be very effective. When a model wears a VS bra, it IS about the bra. When I buy the same bra and wear it, it becomes about me :)
As for me, I am a health-first kind of person. My tagline to your campaign: Do not let anyone define beauty/body types for you. Simply put, there are no standards (except health) for us to live up to.