The Image Of Beauty Is Distorted

Published: October 20, 2009

The Image of Beauty Distorted

by Abby Armbruster

Ralph Lauren has been fashion-forward in ready-to-wear clothing for over 42 years. With their empire expanding over 22 countries, Ralph Lauren looks stronger than ever when looking on paper. Once a new advertising campaign was leaked on the Internet, however, the company instantly had to defend their character and integrity.

In the advertisement, model Filippa Hamilton looked extremely distorted and clearly not healthy. The photo, obviously airbrushed, was released in one store in Japan, though Ralph Lauren said it was not supposed to run in American markets.

Ralph Lauren has admitted that the photo was digitally altered, although it did not apologize for using the photograph in their advertisement.

Either way, Ralph Lauren should realize that their extreme effects of airbrushing not only look unrealistic but also are creating another byproduct: shedding light on the health of models today. What is considered beautiful to Ralph Lauren is seen as disgusting to the average eye. Consumers are less likely to shop at Ralph Lauren if their vision of beauty appears distorted.

Hamilton said on the Today show on Oct. 13 that it saddens her to believe that Ralph Lauren, an American company, is sharing this image. She said it makes her sad that this is the image they are trying to promote for young girls to try to achieve. Hamilton said that body image portrayed is not healthy and should not be considered as the healthy standard.

What throws more fuel on the fire is that Hamilton, her 5’10 frame weighing in at 120 pounds, claims she was fired from Ralph Lauren due to weight gain after seven years with the company. According to Ralph Lauren, a statement was made saying she was let go over an “inability to meet the obligations under her contract with us.” Hamilton, who has modeled for the company since she was 15 years old, says she has maintained her same weight in her seven years with Ralph Lauren.

“They fired me because they said I was overweight and I couldn't fit in their clothes anymore," Hamilton said in a recent New York Daily News article.

“Cosmopolitan” editor-in-chief Kate White added during the “Today” show interview that one of the motivations for Ralph Lauren, and other fashion companies, to have smaller sample clothing for models is due to the Kate Moss era of models that is now under scrutiny. Looking back at Christie Brinkley and Cindy Crawford, those models were curvier than what is considered beautiful in the modeling industry now, White said.

White believes that one of the only ways for the modeling industry to change its standard body type back to a healthier, fuller body type is by having women stand up for this change and provide feedback demanding it.

As much as a healthy body is respected in our culture, Ralph Lauren crossed the line too significantly to be praised for their digitally altered photograph. Women need photos that embrace real women and real curves, much like the Dove campaign has tried to do over the past five years. Seeking real body types for young girls to model themselves after is a healthier image than those that can be drawn with a computer mouse.

Contact Abby Armbruster at

aarmbruster@liberty.edu.