Some people say Adele is too fat (are you kidding me, Karl?), while others say Angelina Jolie is too skinny (what a tiny right leg to cause such a meme!). It seems so difficult for women to find an accurate definition of what the ideal female body image is, one that is sexy and attractive without being hazardous to our health. In a world with eating disorders, push-up bras and hair colors that rotate like pairs of underwear, does such a thing even exist?

Of all places, Israel is out to find the answer. Earlier this week, Israeli lawmakers passed a breakthrough ban on underweight models working in their fashion industry. The New York Daily News explained the details:

The new law requires models to produce a medical report, dating back no more than three months, at every shoot that will be used on the Israeli market, stating that they are not malnourished by World Health Organization standards. The U.N. agency uses a standard known as the body mass index – calculated by dividing weight by height — to determine malnutrition.

According to the World Healthy Organization, a BMI below 18.5 signifies malnutrition, meaning that a 5’8″ woman should weigh at least a healthy 119 pounds. The ban intends to reshape the industry’s definition of feminine beauty for Israeli teen girls, as 2 percent of those between 14 and 18 have severe eating disorders — a statistic common of other developed countries.

Even more so, the ban extends to those who also “look underweight” altogether, as any advertisement published for the Israeli market must also include a blatant disclosure that explains if the model featured has been digitally altered to appear thinner. Farewell, Photoshop!

Society’s criticism of the fashion industry’s hazardous practices are nothing new to the ears of designers and models — from abusing child labor laws and working conditions in sweatshops, beauty seems to be synonymous with pain in more ways than one. But Reuters reports that after two anorexic Latin American models died in 2006, various countries including Italy and India have already banned underweight models from the catwalk. And Israel’s latest bill against unattainable “beauty” may set a precedent for other countries with noteworthy fashion capitals.

“Beautiful is not underweight, beautiful should not be anorexic,” said Rachel Adato, one of the lawmakers who pushed the bill alongside Israeli fashion photographer and model agent, Adi Barkan. ”I look (back) 15 to 20 years ago, we shot models (sized) thirty-eight. Today, it’s twenty-four,” Barkan said. ”This is the difference between thin and too thin. This is the difference between death and life.“

I’m no critical gender studies major or body image expert by any means, but I am a female 20-something who has inevitably been swayed once or twice by the presentation of women in the media — just like all of you have. And I think this ban is a great thing. This piece of legislature is not only looking out for the health of the impressionable Israeli teens who define their beauty expectations by an unhealthy and often unattainable standard, but it’s also hoping to protect the well-beings of the models themselves. It can change how women see themselves, how women see other women, and how men see women too. It may put a few runway stompers out of work every once in a while, but it really could save a lot of people’s physical and social health in Israel. And it could carry on into other countries and possibly change the world’s presentation of women for the better.

Maybe there is no such thing as the ideal body image. But until the designers who create our clothes and the retailers who sell them accept that, we’re still all trying to fit into the same sizes and shapes. To be honest, I’d rather be on a permanent undie run than try to convince myself that my ass will fit into a pair of high-waisted denim shorts, and I sure as hell won’t let some underweight fashion model tell me that they’re any better than me for getting theirs to do so.

Would you support a ban on underweight models in the US? Or is this bill unfair for those who happen to “look underweight” or want to create fashion for women who are a smaller size?

Ashley is a UC San Diego grad who is holding on way too tightly to a potential career in magazines and goes to Vegas all too often. She’s fascinated with celebrities and strawberry beer and doubles as a pathological texter/emailer/blogger. Feed the addiction with tweets @cashleelee. Thanks in advance.

[Lead image via conrado/Shutterstock]

Remember years ago when Gavin Rossdale, Gwen Stefani’s delicious British boy-toy, was accused of having a secret love child even from before the times of No Doubt or Bush?  I heard about it around the days when I still wore a Catholic School uniform to represent my “style” and didn’t believe it was true.  Then I never heard about it again.

Until now.

That little mistake’s all grown up and her name is Daisy Lowe. Daughter of designer/songwriter Pearl Lowe and Gwen Stefani’s main trick, Gavin Rossdale, Daisy might be the coolest “Uh Oh!” ever.

Daisy Lowe hails from across the pond (like fellow style icons Emma Watson and Alexa Chung) and was first discovered as a model. Not shocking, given her gorgeous parental units. What is surprising though, is that Ms. Lowe’s body is as far from the typical model’s body as you can get. Yes, this girl’s got some curves and she’s not afraid to show them off. Like, really show them off. As in get naked, cause a scene to start a revolution. She even told a British newspaper that she’d felt the sting of rejection from a fashion house for having a heavier body than a model should have yet she still refused to lose weight.  Boom. Roasted.

Daisy Lowe’s giving some of the non-waifs some faith in humanity.

And it’s opening many doors for her. Daisy is the face of Converse and has worked with Agent Provacateur (probably because she isn’t afraid to shower her provacative side). She was recently featured in the Vogue’s “Today I’m Wearing” feature, documenting her daily style for their May 2010 issue. And if that’s not enough, there are some rumors that she’ll be rolling out her own edgy and sexy clothing line as well.

But until then, we’ll just have to settle for pulling our own pieces together in a way that would make Daisy proud; with a  little sexy (without the trashy) and a dash of wild-child (while still refined).

Dress, Shoes, Earrings, Coat, Perfume

So maybe the colors aren’t the same and the shoes aren’t what she has in the picture, but the outfit still works with her look.  The key to Daisy’s wardrobe is all in the shapes. A draped dress, no matter the color, gives a little mystery and sensuality because it bunches in the most flattering places. The black trench coat over top covers everything up without looking frumpy like that North Face Fleece you usually favor. (And frumpy is not something Daisy does.)   The studded white flats add a little edge to the otherwise feminine outfit, giving off the rocker-vibe Daisy clearly gets from her pops.  And, if you want to go all out, the flower earrings and Daisy roller-ball by Marc Jacobs are just a fun nod to our inspiring style icon.

Who inspires your style? Or better question, WHAT inspires your style? Many of us use movie characters (like Penny Lane

Describing Chloe Sevigny’s style in one word would be like attempting to describe color to a blind man: Impossible.

She is a wild child with a wild style. It’s vintage-meets-designer, quirky, eccentric and European chic with just the perfect hint of grunge. It doesn’t sound like it would turn out well, but somehow Chloe works it. Not to mention that smirk she’s always sportin’ that says, “What I’m wearing right now is what you’re going to be wearing next month.” Only she’s not arrogant, which I totally would be if I had her ability to wear a potato sack and have a million people be inspired by it.

Although she works as an actress by day (most notably as the second wife on HBO’s series, Big Love) her newest job and eternal interest has always been related to fashion.  It has apparently always come easy to her, considering she never actually follows trends but seems to instead set them.

To name a few of her fashion accomplishments, we can start with the fact that she is the face of the fashion house Chloe, besides collaborating with Open Ceremony.  She also seems to always choose roles that have a very quirky-cool costume attached, and is constantly on the best-dressed list at every award show she attends. It is no surprise, then, that I am totally inspired by Chloe Sevigny and her fashion prowess, and want to make her look all my own.

Product Information: Sunglasses -Bleudame, $9.80; Black socks (pack of 3) – American Apparel, $12.50; Dress – Forever 21, $21.90; Sweater – Urban Outfitters, $68; Heels – Forever 21, $27.80; Structured bag – Forever 21, $21.80; Red lipstick

This look is typical Chloe and I love it because it looks carefree and chic all at the same time. Wayfarer sunglasses add some edge to the romantic, floral, ’90s-style dress, and the baggy sweater hints at Parisian chic. The boots are unique, especially paired with socks, and wouldn’t work on most people. In fact, most people would look insane. But, somehow, they work  for Chloe and, if you rock her signature confidence, they will work for this look, too.

It’s a fact: I love the Jersey Shore and recently it seems nobody is letting me forget it. The Situation and Snooki are everywhere: on every talk show, every gossip website, every tabloid, and recently even gracing the Grammy’s red carpet (where The Situation obviously took off his shirt…)

And now it has gone too far.
The Seaside Heights residents themselves were just invited to Fashion Week.

Snooki the fashionista? Yeah, I didn’t think so either.

The Grammys were one thing – I mean, those guys sure know how to beat a good beat – but now this? I mean yes, I am shamelessly and unconditionally in love with the Guido crew, but this is Fashion Week! Only the most glamorous and influential fashionistas are invited! The only fashion show these kids belong at is Ed Hardy… or maybe Fredrick’s of Hollywood for my girl, JWoww.  That makes a little more sense than getting front row seats to DVF, Marc Jacobs or any other high profile designer showing their goods. How do you think Anna Wintour is going to feel when she can’t see over Snooki’s elaborate pouf? And what will Nina Garcia have to say about her signature corset?

Sadly, though, giving tickets to the Guidos isn’t even the worst part. It is rumored that some of the cast has been approached to model a few shows. JWoww the model?  Something tells me she wouldn’t have the right look to work a DVF wrap dress… or anything that’s meant to cover more than nipples and lady bits. Oh and Sammi Sweetheart is in on the model opportunity too, because when I think “couture” I instantly imagine these two.

Well, at least the NYC tanning salons will get some quality business before the shows kick off on February 12th. You know this invite calls for some GTL.

Lately, every fashion magazine on the newsstands has had some variation of a plus size model photo spread. Editors claim to be celebrating the real American woman, but we know it’s just a feeble attempt to boost sales and save their dying businesses.

Being a plus sized girl myself, I’m torn on the whole trend. On the one hand, it’s great to see women with a little meat on their bones (or any meat on their bones, for that matter) displayed so beautifully across the pages of my favorite fashion mags. It’s refreshing to finally be able to look at a fashion spread and see how clothing really looks on real people. People like me.

On the other hand, though, focusing entire spreads and features on plus sized women seems a little exploitative. It’s as if the magazines are saying, “See! We like fat people, too!” And if their goal, as they state, is to change the way we view beauty and really represent the real women living and shopping in this country, they’re going about it all wrong.

In a country where the average woman is a size 14, it should not be a novelty to have plus size women modeling in high fashion magazines. It should not be some special feature added to an issue to prove that women can be sexy and beautiful over a size 4. It should be the norm. Because these women, regardless of their size, are beautiful; their weight should not matter. Pulling those women aside and using them to make some positive statement about body image only does the opposite.

If magazine editors really want to make a change, a necessary change, in the way people view beauty, it’s time to stop treating plus sized models as if they are some sort of rare item and treat them the same as they do every other model. Put them in every fashion story. Shoot them for every fashion spread. Put them in haute couture next to the size zero models and just let them be.

Don’t draw attention to their size. Don’t shoot them naked to show off their beauty. Stop using them to make some grand statement that “they’re beautiful too,” and start treating them with the same respect and awe that you give every other model.

The majority of women reading these magazines are closer to a size 14 than they are to a size zero so stop acting like we are somehow beneath you and the skinny girls and treat us as we deserve to be treated: as normal, beautiful, fabulous women.

[The ladies over at Lemondrop are also seeing a majorly mixed message in this new trend: “Doesn't it strike you as slightly insulting that the average American woman is being represented by "plus-size models," while real-life plus-size women aren't being represented at all?” Check out their take on things.]

Is it just me, or is something seriously wrong here? How this chick holds that giant head up with that tiny little body is beyond me. Good work, Ralph. Good to see you’re designing clothes for the real woman.

And for good reason. How often is it that we are shown a beautiful woman that isn’t a size zero, comfortable in her own skin and naked on the pages of any magazine?

We’ll ignore the fact that being able to “pinch and inch” doesn’t make you plus-size and that this women pictured (who looks maybe a size 8, tops) still isn’t representing a huge portion of the female population who actually are wearing plus sizes. At least we are making a step in the right direction.

Or are we?

After Glamour cashed in on a crapload of press and positive publicity from the picture, Marie Clare decided they wanted in and will now feature a plus-size columnist who plans to give fashion advice to plus sized readers.

While it’s a good start that she actually is plus sized (a size 18 to be exact) and will be able to give helpful and honest advice to other women her size, I still can’t help but wonder what the real motivation is behind this trend to cater to the plus sized readers.

I doubt it’s a coincidence that as sales plummet and magazine companies are dropping like hungry models, they are finally realizing a whole population of their readership has been left out of every fall fashion special, every swimsuit edition, every best-jeans-for-your-body article. Why now?

I’m afraid that the answer is self-serving and superficial: they want to make money. They are capitalizing on and exploiting a whole population of woman in order to boost sales.

Do I love that we are able to have diversity in what we consider beautiful? Yes. Does a picture of a naked plus-size woman bring a smile to my face? Yes. Is it necessary to have fashion advice for women of all shapes and sizes? Absolutely!

But if you asked me if I was happy about this change toward “diversifying” and recognizing this group of females, I’d say no. When it happens it should be because the magazines think they are as beautiful and deserving of content as they are. Not because Marie Clare wants a million plus sized woman to pay $4.00 for the advice to cover their Manhattan office rent for the year.

What do you guys think about the magazine industry’s move to “offer more content to plus-size readers”. Is it genuine or all for the cash?

But more on that later.

First let’s discuss Tim Gunn in flip flops and Wayfarers. If that’s not the best moment in Project Runway history, I’m not sure what is. I just wanted to pinch those little cheeks. But there was no time for that, what with the surfwear team challenge!

Oooooh.
Aaaaah.

Everyone knows that team challenges are a disaster and a half, so I had a feeling this episode was going to be pretty delicious. I immediately began placing bets (with myself) as to who would work together best, who would go up in flames like a Sambucca shot, and who would just sorta coast through the challenge and get zero camera time.

It didn’t take me long to figure out that Ra’mon and Milk Dud the dud that is Mitchell would be a whole lot of hot mess. Especially after Mr. Mitch declared that he chose Ra’mon so he could “carry him.” I normally love me an adorable gay man, but this guy is just too much.

And how does he welcome his partner to the team? By criticizing Ra’mon for picking out “some pretty ugly things.” You know what, Mitchell? Ra’mon might have an eclectic taste in fabrics, but at least his clothes look good. Yours, on the other hand… well, we’ve all seen your crap coming down the runway (and the nipples exposed beneath it). And so did the judges, which is why you haven’t made it out of the bottom two yet!

Ooooh, SNAP!

Moving on to other drama, because there was other drama. Mostly involving a – SURPRISE!! – second look that each team needed to make. Somehow, all the teams pulled a second look together (some more successfully/less sluttily than others) and everyone sent something down the runway. Even Ra’Mon, who pulled his look together with only 25 minutes to go.

He did so well in fact, that he indeed carried Mitchell into the top two, along with Team Johnny/Irena. I am not sure why either team took that coveted spot (I personally think Althea and Louise totally rocked that runway), but it did make for quite an interesting discussion with the judges.

Mitchell, not the brightest fabric in the store, revealed to the Max Azria and Rachel Bilson (adorbs) that Ra’mon did most of the work even though he was the team leader. He made sure they knew he did the bathing suit – that no one saw – but told them quite boastfully that Ra’Mon did “everything else.”

Insert sound of crickets chirping.

What? You came on this SHOW and didn’t do one thing? You, Mitchell, are like that kid in the class that sits back during a group project and lets everyone else do all the work… and then you get the same A as the rest of us (because my groups always get an A). I hate people like you.

But it’s OK, because in the end everyone got what they deserved. Ra’Mon took home the trophy and, finally, Mitchell got some Heidi stiletto in his ass. Later, Mitchell. We’ll miss you.

Pause.

Not.

Fact is we connect to others by learning about them. And everyone has something to share (even if it’s a secret love for The Food Network). So to give you yet another reason to procrastinate, we started ‘The Five Questions We Ask Everyone’ (and five just for that one person) because we know whether we’re schmoozing with an A- list celeb or your local bartender, you’ll be equally entertained.

We watch America’s Next Top Model (and all subsequent marathons) for 3 reasons:
1. The crazy chicks.
2. The crazy judges.
3. Nigel Barker.

He’s hot, talented and has the sexiest accent on earth. And he agreed to talk to us! We tried to sit down with Nigel in person (sans shirt), but the guy is just too busy taking pictures of models in exotic locations (we spoke to him from Canada) and doing good deeds around the world (he works for tons of awesome organizations). So we just imagined him sans shirt while we picked his brain on the phone. Nigel told us a bit about himself, gave us some much needed photo advice and lured us in to ANTM’s 13th season, which is airing now. We didn’t think it was possible, but after getting to know the guy we love him even more.

Swoon.

1.  What is one of your craziest, most ridiculous college memories?
It’s one of those things that was quite a long time ago (laughs). I can tell you one thing that I remember that has haunted me ever since. I went to an English boarding school and we put on the musical Grease and I played Danny, who’s the lead. The reason why it was particularly funny is because it was an all male cast and my Olivia Newton Jon was played by another guy. It was sort of the amorous scenario where I was holding my love interest in my hands but it’s actually some sort of bearded rugby head trying to sing back to me in this sort of soft falsetto. When you look at how serious people were, that’s one of my most excruciating and more ridiculous college moments.

2. What are the 5 things you can’t live without?
Without sounding extremely cheesy, straight off the bat I’d say my wife, my son and my daughter. But obviously, other than them, I could never live without good wine, Guinness, cheese and almonds.

3. What’s your motto or life advice that you life by?
“If you compare yourself with others you may become vain or bitter for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievement as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career however humble, it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.” It’s weird considering what I do, that I’m a judge in a talent show. It’s important to realize what you do and even if you’re cleaning bathrooms, it’s still important.

4. You said you like to sing, so what is one of your favorite songs?
The stuff I used to sing would make you laugh if you knew. I actually was a backup singer and went on tour with Barry Manilow. But I’m afraid I’m a rocker at heart and I’d have to say Led Zeppelin, Stairway to Heaven. That’s almost as cheesy as Barry Manilow these days when they play it so much on the radio but I still love it.

5. Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
I try to live day by day and see what’s happening and obviously as a photographer and someone in the creative industry you’re constantly changing and moving. I’m moving more into film work and I would love to be directing motion pictures by that point.

5 Questions Just for Nigel:

1. How did you get involved with America’s Next Top Model?
I knew Tyra Banks and I had worked with her before. It wasn’t like other shows where they are put together by production companies or networks that are looking for celebrities and stars to fill roles. The difference with Top Model is everyone that went on the show knew each other, we were all in the industry, we all worked together, and we were friends. I was asked to do a photo shoot initially as one of the photographers and I got a callback right before I was going to do my shoot saying “Listen, we saw your footage and we like you, would you be interested in having a more permanent role?”

2. What do you think is the hardest part about being in the beauty and fashion industry.
I don’t think there is anything really difficult, I think we are very, very lucky. It isn’t a hard industry; I find my job extremely easy. I definitely work hard and get tired but who doesn’t? If I’m going to look around at people and say, “Oh goodness, I have a hard life” who am I trying to kid? I take my hat off to people who really save lives and do difficult things. I think for us, we really have an easy job and for me it’s a means to an end – it’s something that helps me with the things that are more important.

3. You say “more important things.” What do you mean?
I’m a spokesperson for the Humane Society in the United States, the Protect Seals campaign spokesperson. I also work on the Protect Sharks Campaign and I’m a spokesperson and Wish Granter for the Make a Wish Foundation. I shoot the national ad campaign as well as grant wishes. I think I’m up to 24 wishes I’ve granted now. I also just got back from Africa because I’m a spokesperson for the Elizabeth Glacier Pediatric AIDS foundation. We shot a documentary and a series of photographs for an exhibition in Tanzania reporting on the state of the country’s pediatric AIDS programs and how they’re advancing.

4:  ANTM has been around for a long time. What can we expect this season -  anything different, anything new?
It’s always something different and there’s always something new. That being said, it’s the old classic recipe. We don’t change that up too much. It’s like your favorite food; you don’t want it to change too much. But what we do have is fresh ingredients and those are the girls. This season happens to have a particularly rowdy bunch of girls, which is always fun. That being said, some things happen during judging and photo shoots that have either never happened before or when they have happened have been so scandalous we questioned whether to put them on TV or not. This season was full of those moments. I don’t know what it was, if there was something in the water or if it was something with this group of girls. It was one of those great seasons that only comes along every three or four seasons for us.

5. Do you have any advice as to how to ensure good pictures every time?
There isn’t a golden bullet for these things. There’s all kinds of boring advice as well as fun advice; The boring advice is if you know you are going to have a photo shoot, for example it’s picture day at school or it’s Christmas and you know you are going to be taking pictures, try not to drink beforehand. Try to drink plenty of water, try and get a good night’s sleep.

People have a tendency to model in candid pictures and a candid picture should be just that. If you are the model try and forget the camera as much as possible, even if it means looking at your friends and squeezing and tickling each other so that you actually get off the subject for that moment and you’re going to get a much more natural and memorable shot.

Is this supposed to be sexy? Maybe some sort of horrible PETA experiment? WTF? What did Kermit ever do to you, skinny girl?

He didn’t deserve this, especially whatever torture you put him through to get him on a headband. There are plenty of other (less offensive) ways to add a little green to your wardrobe!