While countries like France and Spain implement regulations and laws to protect the health of their nations - eg implementing minimum BMI for catwalk models, banning adverts promoting "the cult of the body" (spanish saying) to after 10pm etc,

Australia's politicians and eating disorders charities thinking getting a supermodel to strip and a politician to wear a dominatrix outfit is the solution to body image problems.

Way to go, Aussies.

The whole concept of voting on women- not only the sexiest mp but also on celebrities as Lydia has highlighted demonstrates that a womans worth is still very much dependant on her appearance. Getting females to vote on celebrities is an alarming practice that is so mainstream now so many women do so without even considering the practice or it’s consequences. Essentially it is playing women off one another- & reminds me of Foucault’s “panopticon”, the self governing jail, where “the sentiment of invisible omniscience” means that women must constantly watch themselves- because they are always being watched. Thinking about this issue within such a paradigm may go some way in explaining Kates behaviour as quite natural- however ultimately as an MP she needs to seperate her role as a (so called) “leader” on this issue with her (natural & normal) desires to be seen as “sexy”.

pelican, sylvie,

'Ellis avoided disclosing whether or not the images were airbrushed, yet disclosure of airbrushed images was one of the key recommendations put forward by the National Advisory Board on Body Image'

Smart politics. EVERY image is airbrushed in some way, in every publication. She says she hasn't and she's left herself wide open. As always it's a measure of degree.

'Flipping through the magazine, it’s hard to understand how Grazia’s editors could possibly think they were doing women any body image favours'

Of course, like the happy to be me dolls (Which sold so so well), I'm sure it would be better to have a magazine with no celebrities, or a staid medical journal about anorexia, or just a fashion and celebrity mag censoring all opinions on body image, with no good looking women or celebrities.

“Why are we our own worst enemies? 71% of [women] judge other women based on their bodies”

Sounds like a good message. Better that quote be amongst celebrities talking about their body issues and the whole range of opinions quoted in the article about diet and airbrushing and botox and all the things women do to change their body. From the excerpts it sounds like a very comprehensive celebrity/fashion issue about.... body image.

'Ellis said her reason for modelling for Grazia was to “spark a debate on body image” ( '

Ummmm Mission accomplished! Thanks Kate for involving pelican and sylvie and Lydia in the debate about body image.

'if she didn't conform to socially constructed beauty standards'

There has to be some beauty standard. What is beauty if we're all equally physically beautiful to the majority of people?

'instead of presenting her real, authentically beautiful self.'

Now if she'd have done that, she would have been detracting from her position as a minister. She's a serious minister and outside that she can 'dress up' (like we all do) an play in the world of fashion without taking away from that. Context.

Would you rather she be draped over her desk?

holleuebecq

you're kidding right. your entire argument is a straw man. i'm at work now so i'll keep this short- most of your comments undo themselves

the point about all images being airbrushed - you know french marie claire just came out with an entire issue with no airbrushing at all?

kate ellis is an MP with a high profile - as if she couldn't have requested that they do an unairbrushed shoot. rubbish.

DWIGHT,

Do you know nothing of image manipulation? There are more tools available than the airbrush. Ask any photographer how many of their images are sold straight from the camera with no post processing.

Marie Claire... Ah, forget it. Just believe everything you read.

Holleuque

i think your last comment is spot-on. i agree there are multiple techniques used on images- which is why i think the National Advisory Board's recommendations are weak.

at the same time, there is still the question - why recommend magazines disclose whether they have airbrushed images or not, when you're not even willing to adhere to this recommendation yourself?

i agree with CatalystCommedia - this all just a pathetic PR stunt, which selfishly confuses the issue of body image, which is the #1 concern for teens today.

well done to lydia - another great article.