In stark contrast to the controversial 'Diet Mom" article, published only months ago, it seems Vogue may have had a change of heart regarding the promotion of eating disorder behaviors. The editors of the nineteen international Vogue magazines have come together to release a joint effort called 'The Health Initiative' in which positive body image is championed. The UK edition lists the pledges of the initiative as not knowingly working with models who have an eating disorder or are under the age of 16. They also pledge to encourage the use of models who are healthy and who have a healthy body image.
To be fair, Vogue has been involved in such initiatives before. The Council of Fashion Designers of America began their health initiative in 2007 and the magazine has shown support for it. (Yet it continues to publish a multitude of airbrushed photographs and articles relating to achieving the perfect body.)
I am hopeful that initiatives such as these will begin to change the way the fashion industry and media depict beauty. However, I do think it would be naive to believe that Vogue will completely change its ways. Kirstie Clements, editor of the Austrailia edition of Vogue weighs in on the initiative in her editor's letter and sums it up well, stating, "We are not claiming that we will fix the problem overnight, but a healthy discussion will almost certainly lead to a more healthy future."
What do you think about initiatives such as this one by Vogue?
