Like what you've read?

On Line Opinion is the only Australian site where you get all sides of the story. We don't
charge, but we need your support. Here�s how you can help.

  • Advertise

    We have a monthly audience of 70,000 and advertising packages from $200 a month.

  • Volunteer

    We always need commissioning editors and sub-editors.

  • Contribute

    Got something to say? Submit an essay.


 The National Forum   Donate   Your Account   On Line Opinion   Forum   Blogs   Polling   About   
On Line Opinion logo ON LINE OPINION - Australia's e-journal of social and political debate

Subscribe!
Subscribe





On Line Opinion is a not-for-profit publication and relies on the generosity of its sponsors, editors and contributors. If you would like to help, contact us.
___________

Syndicate
RSS/XML


RSS 2.0

Shock horror: nude supermodel has dimple on thigh

By Melinda Tankard Reist - posted Wednesday, 6 January 2010


In a move labelled daring and revolutionary, this month’s edition of Marie Claire features nude photos of Australian model Jennifer Hawkins air-brush free. The shoot reveals “brave” Jen with all her flaws.

And what exactly are these impediments?

A tiny crease in Hawkins's waist, a slightly dimpled thigh and “uneven skin tones”.

Advertisement

Quelle horreur.

As if this isn’t enough, Hawkins notes an additional flaw: her hips.

She has them.

Miss Universe 2004 is really the Elephant Woman.

According to Marie Claire editor Jackie Frank, the Hawkins images were inspired by a survey of 5,500 readers that found only 12 per cent of women were happy with their bodies.

That’s right, nude pics of a woman considered one of the world’s rarest beauties are supposed to cheer the rest of us up.

Advertisement

The pictures will be auctioned this month with proceeds going to eating disorders support group the Butterfly Foundation.

That Hawkins - lined up against contenders in a global competition judging women purely on their looks and chosen as “hottest” of all - has been enlisted in the cause of girls who hate their bodies and are, in many ways, victims of the dominant ideal of female beauty kind of messes with my head.

How can these pictures possibly help women feel good about themselves?

  1. Pages:
  2. Page 1
  3. 2
  4. 3
  5. All

This is a longer version of an article first published in The Australian on January 5, 2009.



Discuss in our Forums

See what other readers are saying about this article!

Click here to read & post comments.

49 posts so far.

Share this:
reddit this reddit thisbookmark with del.icio.us Del.icio.usdigg thisseed newsvineSeed NewsvineStumbleUpon StumbleUponsubmit to propellerkwoff it

About the Author

Melinda Tankard Reist is a Canberra author, speaker, commentator and advocate with a special interest in issues affecting women and girls. Melinda is author of Giving Sorrow Words: Women's Stories of Grief after Abortion (Duffy & Snellgrove, 2000), Defiant Birth: Women Who Resist Medical Eugenics (Spinifex Press, 2006) and editor of Getting Real: Challenging the Sexualisation of Girls (Spinifex Press, 2009). Melinda is a founder of Collective Shout: for a world free of sexploitation (www.collectiveshout.org). Melinda blogs at www.melindatankardreist.com.

Other articles by this Author

All articles by Melinda Tankard Reist

Creative Commons LicenseThis work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

Photo of Melinda Tankard Reist
Article Tools
Comment 49 comments
Print Printable version
Subscribe Subscribe
Email Email a friend
Advertisement

About Us Search Discuss Feedback Legals Privacy