Whether it’s Sisley’s ad featuring models snorting white clothing or Dolce & Gabbana’s fantasy rape campaign, the fashion world is no stranger to shocking images.
But a photo of emaciated 27-year-old Isabelle Caro, an anorexic who weighs just 68 lbs, has received quite a reaction — both good and bad — after it was displayed on Milan billboards as the city celebrates its fashion week.
The French native, to admits her illness is a result of a “difficult childhood”, says: “I’ve hidden myself and covered myself for too long. Now I want to show myself fearlessly, even though I know my body arouses repugnance. I want to recover because I love life and the riches of the universe. I want to show young people how dangerous this illness is.”
Our thoughts on the ad? Thought provoking? Impactful? Is it glamorizing eating disorders? Discuss.
46 Comments
holy cow, no NSFW?! That’s so sad. I think eating disorders are one of the saddest diseases out there because they are brought on themselves, but for the most part, they CANNOT stop it once it goes past a certain point. So sad, how the mind and body can take over.
That is really sad. I am 26 and she looks about 40 years older than I do. The sad thing is she doesn’t look but 10-15 pounds away from Nicole Ritchie or any of the fashion models.
Very powerful.
Nicole Ritchi is also way shorter so its really not much of a comparison.But hell..this is so scary!
No it isn’t glamorzing eating disorders. Anybody that can look at the picture and aspire to duplicate that needs to be committed.
coming from someone who is recovering from an eating disorder, i think this ad is amazing. I hope no girl has to go through this.
Wow. What a great ad! BV is right = very powerful! Gotta go get a sandwich now…with extra mayo..and chips..lots of chips.
I think it’s a really good and thought provocing ad. People who admire this or wish to look like this need help. Anorexia is no joke. Fashion is not worth killing yourself over. Never was and never will be. It has been glamourized for far too long.
wtf. those boobs look disgusting
i’m actually amazed that there are still breasts on that body.
how about a little “nsfw” before the pic…idiot
Wow. Just wow. Amazing, powerful, and courageous on her part ad. Fantastic.
I don’t really know how ppl say the fashion industry glamourises eating disorders - thats just fucking dumb, it’s the media that glamourises it … the models you see in the fashion industry are generally late teens early 20’s & 5′ 11″ + …. it’s natural for them to be long & thin - it’s just their genes … so someone who is 5′ 1″ & not genetically thin then yes, it’s unrealistic to be fashion model thin … anyway, the media should be blamed - they’re the ones who continously featured nicole richie, kate bosworth, olsens etc etc…
Nevermind NSFW.
How about NSFWS? (Not Safe For Weak Stomachs?)
There’s nothing tantalizing or potentially unsuitable from an pornographic standpoint there.
(I’ve seen science experiments more arousing than that.)
But it is a powerful ad.
I thought at first it had to be photoshopped, but then realized someone can exist in that condition.
I applaud her bravery to show how horrible and deadly this disease is, but someone get her some help — help that is, with a scoop or two of rocky road on top.
WOW.
I hope that scares the sense into some people.
If you’re worried about it not being safe for work, maybe you should get to work
I’m just sayin…..
*
I’m sad ads like this are necessary.
This makes me want to scarf down a quarter pound burger with a side of cheese fries.
I think her boobs are just hanging skin now, I bet they used to be fuller, but her body has eaten away all the fat. Sad. I’m glad people are starting to take notice that being as thin as a model or some of these actresses isn’t something to strive for. Everyone’s body is different. Curves are beautiful. I see these stick figure women and there’s nothing sexy about them at all. They look like if you cuddled up to them, it’d be like cuddling up to a pile of pointy sticks. Glad the ad is out there. I hope designers take notice. They’d sell a lot more of their clothing if they focused on healthy sized women.
“My Precious….”
that is really sad to see, and hopefully it will change girls minds about anorexia. But good of that lady to do this to show the others how bad it is.
Fantastic public service ad. VERY effective. Notice how the Pink lettering of “No - No Lita” is EXACTLY like the H&M logo. Perfect.
Yes,I am amazed as well that there are breasts there.Got to give the girl props for coming out with her problem.Most people with this disease still think this size would be considered fat.That is what is so sad about it.I hope this ad impacts alot of people.
Nicole Richie….pre-pregnancy
…and Joel Madden tapped it lookin’ like that
OMFG….
one of the most powerful images i’ve ever seen. i hope it wins an award. i needed to see this. i’m obsessing over 4 lbs from summer-baking for the kids. i’m still thin but it had been consumming my thoughts. thank you.
Brilliant!! We always see the beautiful, healthy, full of life people - never ever this. And this is what it is;it’s what this crazy illness does to one. Some need to see this to make them more aware of the disease and what it does to your body (not to mention your mind & spirit). And for those who don’t like it well, just look the other way. And that’s just it - too many people “look the other way” and that’s too bad.
I feel sad for Isabelle but, she’s one brave female to come out of that closet for all to see. I hope the ad helps her turn her life around.
BOB — YOU HAVE DONE A MARVELOUS THING HERE!!! WELL DONE, SIR.
I give her props for baring all like this because it really makes a statement. Wow.
wow im impressed y the ad and trhe message it conveys.i hope it helps alot of people from going down the route.she deserveds a round of applause……..(clapping)
so disgusting :s makes me wanna gain some weight!
Shocking ad. Disgusting ad. Now I feel fine about not being thin.
uhm….
NSFW much?!?!?!?!?
maybe a warning next time, my boss almost had a seizure!
I was eating, but now I will probably be anorexic too…..
very brave ad. love it. and good luck to you coco.
Amazing, that woman has a lot of courage. I’m very grateful to her for her participation in the message. I also hope that people remember that words can be very hurtful– it can lift you up one day, and let you fall the next. Some people’s self-esteems rest on your words. I have friends who tried to look like this based on comments others made on their appearance. It’s something to think about.
Disgusting and misleading. Women are increasingly getting the message that it’s okay to be “curvy” [often a code word for "overweight"] and that there’s no difference between thin and anorexic. I’m still waiting to see an honest advert about the dangers of obesity. In the U.S., the national obesity rate is 32%. The national anorexia rate is 3.7%. Do the math. Of course, the real irony is that ano’s all over the world are happily right-clicking on the pic and adding it to their thinspiration files.
I’m surprised that they are allowed to show this ad on billboards. Not only because of the nudity but because of its disturbing nature. I think its great that this woman has decided to do this and its definately an empowering ad. I think that there are a lot of other women though who are suffering from anorexia and are skinnier than this. Looking at her legs, I could see women actually aspiring to look like this (very sad) but some of the skinnier women I’ve seen would actually scare them and don’t look one ounce attractive. I’m certainly not saying this woman looks healthy but there are more extreme cases that probably would have been more effective.
its impacting a lot of people.
kind of graphic though
scary, skinny Shmegle lady!
very powerful ad. although it’d be better if they covered the nipples. anyways, i want this ad everywhere, especially in teen magazines. i’m praying that it makes a difference.
NICE YOU F***ING ASSH****. MY SON IS SITTING NEXT TO ME. MY 13 YO SON. PUT UP A NSFW TAG ACROSS AND LINK TO A NEW PAGE YOU MORON.
Maybe you shouldn’t have your 13 your old son with you while you read gossip blogs. Just a thought. Go help him with his fucking homework.
wow. disturbing yet powerful. and sad.
it’s hard to look at.
Ummm at 13 he’s probably seen far worse… grow up idiot!!!
Oh my god, the poor girl. Definitely NOT glamorous. What a powerful message.