I don't wish to criticise either this magazine or the plump model on its cover; I wish simply to reflect on its reasoning, and welcome your opinions.
Women's magazines come under various headings, there are fashion mags, home mags, and lifestyle mags; I believe that Cosmo comes under the latter.
Quite what they intended to convey by putting this lady's photo on the front cover, I don't know.
It's certainly not a fashion statement; I can't imagine anyone thinking her swimming costume looks particularly nice. I doubt if it has much to do with her tattoos (including Miss Piggy), as, frankly, they look hackneyed and bog-standard. So we must presume that Cosmo is promoting her as some type of 'style icon', to be admired and imitated. However, I quite expect she will attract more sniggers than gasps of feminine approval.
Fat people usually claim that they are very happy 'within themselves', but one thing I can guarantee is that every time this lady looks in the mirror she will be wishing she was slim. To deny that; would be to lie.
Personally I don't think she looks particularly attractive. She has a pleasant face and nice hair, but the rest is a disaster. Should she be paraded on the front cover of an influential magazine? I don't think so; but, of course, the magazine isn't intended for people such as me!
When I look at her picture, I find myself simply looking at her size. Was that really their intention?
Oh Dear. That's breakfast postponed for an hour.
ReplyDeleteI'm off for a walk with the dog.
DeleteYes, a pleasant face and nice hair, but I'd be inclined to keep the rest covered up.
ReplyDeleteOr (dare I suggest) go on a diet.
DeleteNever bought Cosmo and the advertized articles (plus the woman) on the front cover would not entice me. Suspect that the twiglets who run the mag. think that they are making a PC statement for this month.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure they are, but I'm not so sure what's PC about obesity.
DeleteMy sister is huge, and would never go on a diet, she is happy in her skin, so I totally disagree with your statement everyone wants to be thin. I see this cover as a small step to accepting we all come in different shapes and sizes. Having said that, I do agree, whilst she is pretty, her image won't appeal to everyone.
ReplyDeleteI don't really want to get into too much of a discussion about 'obesity' as such, but have you ever asked your sister if she wouldn't prefer to be slim? Apart from anything, the health risks of being 'obese' are huge.
DeleteI often speak with my sister, I would love her to loss weight, but she is happy with who she is
DeleteThe intention was to warn you of the consequences of continuing your obsession with food posts.
ReplyDeleteI'll probably get it in the neck today. Maybe 'crumble' tomorrow!
DeleteIt's really simple: Fashion is a business and the customer base of women comprises women of all shapes, sizes and ages. What has been missing for many years is representation. This model represents a lot of women, me included, who would like to see the clothes available to them on women LIKE us, so we know if they will do the job, look the part etc. It doesn't matter what anyone who is not in that demographic thinks or feels about it. IT's not the job of this model to make the garment attractive, or to appeal to anyone but women like us. If you don't like it, don't look. Simple.
ReplyDeleteNicely put.
DeleteMy attitude also.
DeleteAn honest pic rather than the air-brushed anorexics that usually don the pages of women's magazines (equally harmful role models). I believe it's only western society that sees skinny as 'healthy'. In other parts of the world a bigger size is seen as desirable.
ReplyDeleteHmmm. I think very few would find this sze 'desirable', but each to their own.
DeleteCro, I get hit on by men young enough to be my son almost every weekend. I am not flattered by it but it cannot be denied.
DeleteAs I said 'each to their own'. I'm more of a size 14 person, but I'm open to change.
DeleteMixed replies, that will teach you ;). There are a lot of plump women around, perhaps they have to be acknowledged, even on front of magazines. I can't stand tattoos, or spammers above, or the fact that I have just lost my google email!
ReplyDeleteThelma - North stoke
The obese will always have their defenders; there are plenty about. I was expecting there to be a few.
DeleteHaha, you set out to alienate half of your readers. I am gay, so, if the questioned is forced I like a slim boyish figured woman. There are a couple of exceptions, but generally most of the women I know are voluptuous in breast, body and personality. As long as they dressed appropriate to size, I would happily accompany them as a handbag. I guess Lady Magon is quite trim.
ReplyDeleteI was only questioning Cosmo's reasoning. Personally I have nothing against anyone of any size; although I prefer my women slimmish.
DeleteThe tattoos bother me more than the weight. I mean....Miss Piggy? Really?
ReplyDeleteI wonder why she chose that?
DeleteThis is a statement cover bringing attention to the value of women that are often ignored. People come in all sizes and shapes and, unfortunately, mostly just the young, thin, and beautiful are looked at and admired (especially women). The choice of the bathing suit is questionable (green is not a good color), but it sure got our attention. I hope the related article was a well written piece and told the model’s story so we can know more about her.
ReplyDeleteAgreed.
DeleteIf by 'bringing attention to the value of the obese' you mean that they herald it as being no different to being 'average' size, then I think they do no-one a good service. Just ask your GP.
DeleteCro I'm sorry but I find your attitude here banal and ordinary and predictable. This "Obses" of which you speak comprises actual human beings who are dealing with life, sometimes complicated by weight but mostly just trying to get by and succeed in a world that is not designed, empathetic or informed,for people like us. Obese people are fatties with their heads cropped off wearing leggings in a street shot. I am obese, morbidly according to statistics, and please remember when you label anyone by an attribute, you are basically "othering" them. It is demeaning and passive aggressive and I am deeply disappointed. My adipose tissue is of no concern to anyone but me. It has cost noone any money but me. The person hosting it has made a big difference to the world so far and intends to continue to do so. Please consider who you are talking about when you are also talking to them?
DeleteGood. I'm pleased to see that the overweight do have supporters. It would be a sad world if they didn't.
DeleteGood grief, I am not a 'supporter' I AM one of these people you keep talking about like we are a sub species of humanity.
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ReplyDeleteMy penultimate para' describes my personal attitude, otherwise I'm just questioning Cosmo'.
DeleteI find the whole magazine cover totally off-putting, I can't see anything at all there that I'd be interested in reading...I have better things to do with my time!
ReplyDeleteI would feel exactly the same if it was a very attractive non-obese model by the way....
DeleteShe's certainly not my 'cup of tea'.
DeleteYou're a braver man than I am Gunga Din xx
ReplyDeleteNot really. I was just asking a question.
Delete'Crumble' around, then. I am trying to see how this was self serving, and I see I'm missing the point. Perhaps you'll illustrate.
ReplyDeleteI was simply asking what attitudes were around concerning the photo. Personally I have no real viewpoint either way. I don't find obesity particularly attractive, but nor do most people. You will probably find that the only people who vigorously defend being overweight, are those who are overweight themselves. But I suppose that is predictable.
Delete"A Supermodel Roars:
ReplyDeleteTess Holliday wants the haters to kiss her ass"
I don't know much about the 'model', but she does seem very angry. Probably more angry with herself than with others.
DeleteThe intention is supposed to be to "celebrate" all shapes & sizes - although the cynical me thinks it's more about selling magazine covers.
ReplyDeleteAs a Plus size woman I think that we would be better served by magazines featuring more average sized people. In NA and the UK the average size woman is a size 14 - 16 (about my usual size) but I am classified as Plus sized - in fact now everyone over a size 8 seems to be considered Plus Size which is ridiculous. I wish magazines would simply accept the fact that a woman is not meant to look like a teenage boy with no hips or breasts and stop trying to make that the ideal. This cover is just another case of one extreme to another and neither reflects the average nor does it promote a healthy lifestyle.
I see no difference in promoting ultra thin, or massively obese. Both are 'unadvised' in my book. But I'm just a bloke.
DeleteCosmo has always been controversial Cro. I really don't know what to think about this.
ReplyDeleteEveryone has a right to be whatever size they choose to be. I never let myself put on weight - mainly because I am vain and do not wish to look fat I'm afraid but also because of the health issues involved. Somehow it does not seem right to publish such a photograph on the front of a magazine but then I am not sure why is should be so.
This is my attitude also. I have nothing against the thin or the fat, but was interested to read what people thought about Cosmo' heralding this lady as some type of 'icon'. Of course there were a few above who didn't actually read what I wrote.
DeleteOff subject question. Have you heard from Maria?
ReplyDeleteNo. I hope she's OK. I know she suffers from some nasty illness (at least I think she does). I remember her disappearing for a while some months ago.
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ReplyDeleteIf that was their intention, then I think they failed. Writing this was prompted by a radio discussion I heard where she, or Cosmo, didn't get a lot of praise.
DeleteThank you everyone for your thoughts on this 'Controversial' subject. I apologize on behalf of Chloe.... as usual.
ReplyDeleteI think that the magazine has in the past represented only one type of body. We come in all shapes and sizes and while this model is at the extreme edge of the size range, I think that these magazines are trying to appeal to readers demands.
ReplyDeleteI wonder what her tattoos would look like if she lost a lot of weight?
ReplyDeleteI think she has a beautiful face. The body not so much - that has got to be so unhealthy. But I agree most women are not size 8 and it would be nice to get stylish clothes in larger sizes. But you know what, personality tops all in the end, fat, thin, if you haven't got the personality forget it. I never cared about looks in men - personality tops it all (even if I did make one helluva mistake in the guy I married). And greetings from Haute Savoie!
ReplyDelete