fashion controversy: australian topshop model too thin?

A recent Topshop campaign has sparked controversy for the removal of a photo of Queensland based model Codie Young after receiving complaints that she was too skinny and that the images would encourage young girls to become anorexic. Codie, with the support of Topshop, has remained adamant that she is healthy and just naturally skinny. Topshop have since blamed the angle of the photo, which they claim to have accentuated Codie’s slim build, while Codie claims the angle and poor use of Photoshop are to blame.

The image of Codie that was removed from the Topshop site following the complaints.

The image Topshop replaced it with.

Admittedly, the removed photo does make Codie look incredibly small however the outcry that resulted, especially that which was directed at Codie personally, seems ridiculously unfair. 

The whole incident raises a multitude of issues surrounding the weight debate that could probably be argued for longer than anyone would really care but my point here is simple.

Some people are naturally thin. Attacking someone over their apparently being “underweight” judging from one photo when you know nothing of their eating or exercise habits or genetic make-up seems incredibly prejudicial. Reactions such as these, seem to show that people are overly judgment and critical of thin people, assuming that they have an eating disorder and are unhealthily forcing themselves to be that way. Some people are just naturally thin! It might not be a large portion of the public but it’s true.

So, what’s the underlying reason for the negativity towards people who are naturally thin? Some experts would tell you that it’s because they encourage young girls to become anorexic or they are portraying an unhealthy image that young girls will try to copy. But could it really just be as simple as jealousy? How many people would love to be able to eat without feeling the need to have to count calories or follow ridiculous diets to make sure they don’t put on weight? I personally wouldn't mind having to not think about it.


In an article run in the DailyMail on this issue, Helen Davies, a researcher into anorexia, said that size four clothes being available in Topshop stores implies that it’s healthy to be that size. Comments such as this show the discrimination that exists toward people who are naturally thin. For people who are naturally small, I imagine it is incredibly rude to hear that they are too small so mustn't be healthy and shops shouldn't provide clothes for them. And on the topic of what’s healthy, there’s no way it’s healthy to be a size 20+ yet I don’t see anyone claiming that these sizes should stop being stocked in stores.

I feel like I should point out that there is a difference between naturally skinny and unhealthily skinny, and I’m definitely not supporting eating disorders in writing this. The point is, some people are naturally thin and they shouldn’t be discriminated against because of it. Especially when there is an ‘obesity epidemic’, it seems more focus should be on encouraging people to eat healthily and exercise regularly rather than attacking people who already do these things and are naturally thin as a result.

It’s never right to judge people according to a standard of normal because it’s subjective. What is a normal weight in this day and age? I can’t say; I would consider my own weight to be normal but there would probably be people who would consider me too small or too big depending on their own notion of normal.  

What should have been the focus here but has instead become an after note is the fact that Codie Young is an amazing young Australian model. She has done beautiful work both in Australia, notably on the cover of the October issue of Vogue, and internationally, including walking 39 shows for A/W 11-12, including Marni, Lanvin, Chloe and Chanel.

Images courtesy of Grazia, frockwriter.blogspot & codie-young.blogspot.