Are Thin Models Going Out of Style?

By Kim Anne Aug 27, 2012 5:43PM

We’ve been dealing with the concept of fashion magazines airbrushing models to look thinner and prettier for years, but just when we thought that it was out of control, we find out that apparently, thin isn’t in—at least like it used to be.

According to Blisstree.com, magazines are now airbrushing models to make them look heavier, after discovering that thin doesn’t always sell.

“I have to airbrush clients’ to make them appear bigger and more womanly before I submit photographs,” a talent manager told FOX411’s Pop Tarts column, according to the site. “Skinny doesn’t sell.”

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The process has been dubbed as “reverse retouching,” where models are being digitally enhanced to look larger and curvier to appeal to the magazines’ audiences.

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On one hand, it’s great that the trend to use pin-thin models is fading, but on the other hand, why not use healthy, curvy models instead of digitally enhancing skinnier ones?

Tell us in the comments below: Do you think reverse retouching is a good thing?

Photo: Courtesy BlissTree

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764Comments

Newest

Mon 12:23 AM

Thank you.

Previous replies

NWILH

Aug 28, 2012 11:17PM

I find it almost humorous how it's ok to make rude comments about us thin girls, but all hell would break loose if we were to revert those same comments in relation to the overweight person. For example: someone brought treats into the office and offered them around. Being a sugar freak, I eagerly accepted only to have this chunky person tell me to take two because I needed the extra fat. Had I said - I'll take those from you, you don't need the extra fat, I would have been yanked into the HR office before I could blink. But because I'm a natural (no dieting or exercise required) size 0, or 00 depending on the make, and do not fall in line with America's obesity problem apparently that makes it ok to constantly make comments about my weight. Thin people have just as many weight issues as chunky people. I have just as difficult of a time gaining and even maintaining my weight as chunky people do losing.

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mustard jane

Aug 28, 2012 8:48PM

I have my opinion and you have yours. Just because I have a different opinion than yours doesn't give you the right to rebuke me for mine.

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EtchSanity

Aug 28, 2012 6:12PM

I was replying to a comment saying that the article never mentions obese

the reason I am referring to obese is that when you see plus size models they aren't usually healthy weight they are over the "heavy girl' they show above is not the typical plus size model. The people who are fussing about the models being too thin are for the most part obese perhaps not morbidly but they are obese. Please do not lump me in with those who are being demeaning and crass toward overweight people I am the only member of my extended family that is in shape and I do that by conscious choice. The article does not mention that but the comments section is full of people who are referring to individuals that are obviously beyond just a few extra lbs. If you are heavy and are happy fine and great but you cannot tell me you don't feel better when you lose 20lbs and are active or that you don't feel worse when you gain that same weight sitting on your tail. I am not out to hate on or insult the obese people but by definition the plus size models are obese medically and that comes with the whole slew of health issues. Yes you can bee too skinny and have health problems I am not supporting anorexia or bulimia but rather fit in shape models fit in shape people who are serving as a goal to aspire to instead of just swapping out to reflect the overweight out of shape population. Just because most people are overweight doesn't make it more attractive or healthier it doesn't make it safer or beautiful it makes it common and scary... it makes those who look after themselves and workout more rare and beautiful by comparison, Now everyone has their own personal taste but why aspire to fail ???? Why aim at something that isn't right, isn't the best, isn't difficult ... We are not a country based on simple easy things we are based in hard work, sweat, blood and tears. We earned and fought for our freedoms and liberties yet we now tell our young people they should aspire to mediocracy instead of excellence that they should aspire to just be able to walk around instead of using a rascal like that is some great goal. Our Olympic athletes are now viewed as less than our teen pop stars ... the 17 year old girl who won multiple swimming golds was more interested in Bieber Fever than her accomplishment ... what happened to having role models because they were excellent instead of average ... these people that airbrush are doing it to appeal to people for sales the real models are the ones you yourself drool over in the movie posters (Magic Mike) or on the Calenders.... I see dozens of morbidly obese women on Channing Tatum's facebook offering themselves or being angry that such a 'hot guy' wants nothing to do with them physically. This is a mystery to some of my most out of shape friends ... mystery solved he looks like that because he WORKS at it hard every day why would he settle for someone who put in so much less effort and interest in their own life and health... I know little off topic but seriously guys... we set our children up for failure when we teach them not to shoot for the best and that they should aspire to be average or in this case hafty, chubby, fat, large, big boned, or yes obese...

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GMAof7

Aug 28, 2012 2:55PM

Too start off I'm not saying you shouldn't be proud of your hard work & getting your pregnancy weight off, all I'm saying is just because everyone isn't skinny or a size 2 they aren't all fat! I'm a mother of 5 & a grandmother of 7 a size 7 & I'm not fat at all. Women were meant to have curves & these models (not all but most) are straight up & down, they are not realistic women heck most of them have health issues maybe not now but in their later lives. We come in all different sizes, colors, nationalities so no one size is right just like opinions just because the opinion is not what one thinks doesn't make it wrong either just a different opinion.

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im-sassyjvg

Aug 28, 2012 2:38PM

How is it that society has bought into the idea for even this long that "women" look best as stick figures/skinny? I think the most flattering figures are the ones that ARE curvy, unlike model #1 which has an underdeveloped teen's body despite the fact that she appears to be possibly in her early 20's. Both models #2 and #3 have curves. Sex appeal is what sells and whoever can manage to acheive the elusive coke bottle curves, that is what is and will always be timeless and marketable to the masses.

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billcccc

Aug 28, 2012 2:22PM

the percentage of fat women to skinny has to be about ten thousand to one. go to a sports bar and one will see that most of the women are fat and they range from twenty to forty years of age and they are OK with being fat. How can someone being happy about being fat they have almost a 100% chance of becoming sick. They can't run, they smell, their sweaty all the time, no one wants to be wtih them for sex unless its another fat person or a loser or they are rich. So storys like this just promote women to be lazy and become fat.

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Pargon

Aug 28, 2012 2:21PM

I never agreed with photo retouching at all, with the sole exception of correcting things like light washout and the dreaded "red eye.". It used to be the practice even by those "family portrait" photographers, and I'm sure some still do it. I have pictures of my family that I can't even recognize, because they don't look one bit like them. As for models - when culture is shaped by what people see in magazines and on television, it's no wonder so many people are plagued with self-doubt, when pictures are retouched to the point that they're seeing held up before them an ideal that is completely impossible for most people to achieve. How about let's take a new course: Quit retouching photos altogether and let us see each other as nature made us. We'll all be healthier for it.

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Are Thin Models Going Out of Style?

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