GirlsGuideTo | Model: “It’s Better to Be Skinny…”

This past weekend, London hosted the Vogue Festival, with celebs, designers and models telling tales of their fashion careers and memories. Which, as someone who admittedly loves the fashion industry, sounds awesome. But you know what sounds not awesome?

“It’s better to be skinny than to be fat.”

Isn’t that a fantastic sound bite? Here’s the story: A panel of models were discussing healthy body weight, a sensitive subject in any world, but especially in the fashion circle. According to the Telegraph, the models admitted that they are blessed with genetically slim figures. But in discussing "fat" versus "skinny" bodies, model Lily Cole pointed out that the body types we admire and aspire to have are in fact culturally relative; there are societies, she noted, where curvier bodies are preferred to skinny ones.

Whereupon we get the previous genius reply.

The model was quick to explain that she was referring to obesity -- indeed, everyone agrees that when it comes to health, being not obese is better than being obese. But it is a disappointing comment from a high-profile model, one that could easily be twisted into this year's version of "Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels."

I hope that this particular model’s track record of healthy exercise (she ran a half marathon during Fashion Week!) and not depriving herself a few indulgences disproves any pro-ana leanings. With “thinspiration” being such a hot button topic right now, it’s hard to believe that someone could even make this comment…even if she really meant well. If her aim really was to say that it’s better for your health to be thin than to be overweight, than in my mind, that’s acceptable. It’s why we here at Girls Guide To give you workouts and weight loss tips.

But if she meant that it’s better for your looks or some superficial reason to be thin than to be overweight, then I have a real problem. It’s the same reason I have an issue with Kate Moss’ “Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels” quote. I feel that it celebrates unhealthy body image and the pro-ana feelings of thinspo.

So let’s change her comment. I choose: It’s better to be strong and fit than to be overweight. What do you choose?