Tasteful vs. Trashy

What happened to wanting to look classy, and respectful?

Personally, I really am not a fan of Kim Kardashian's photo-shoot for Paper Magazine. The pictures were released this week, and I just think they look tacky. Obviously, quite a controversial comment, due to Kim's huge fan-base that appear to adore these pictures like they're the best thing since sliced bread.

I just think they're distasteful. Kim is now a mother; why not start acting like one? Rather than going for photo-shoots and having one of her bare behind. It's hardly a new thing either, there are endless photo-shoots of her topless, or with barely any clothes on. She was finally beginning to dress a bit classier, and looking presentable, rather than wearing a big fashion statement every single time she leaves the house. 

She tweeted 'And they say I didn't have a talent...try balancing a champagne glass on your ass LOL #BreakTheInternet #PaperMagazine'.. I'm sorry, but is that really something to be proud of? She's famous for a sex tape that got released, and now she's proud of that. That's hardly a role model to young girls.

My icon is Victoria Beckham, who in my eyes, is one of the classiest women in the industry. She actually made a name for herself and worked to be where she is now. Victoria is a good role model for young girls and she proves if you work hard, it pays off. She now has her own fashion line that is worn by a number of celebrities, three children, and one of the most idolised men as her husband. 

You don't see her parading around balancing champagne glasses on her arse. I just feel she's not using her fame as an excuse to take her clothes off for a photo-shoot. 

Maybe bit of a harsh opinion, but it just annoys me the amount of attention she gets for such ridiculous things. 

Eating Disorders: My Opinion

Yesterday, I read an article that personally, I find really quite shocking.

It's called '5 Reasons To Date A Girl With An Eating Disorder.' The article is written by a journalist under the name of 'Tuthmosis', and he literally lists five reasons why dating a girl that has an eating disorder is beneficial for a man.

The five reasons are 'Her obsession over her body will improve her overall looks ', 'She costs less money', 'She's fragile and vulnerable', 'Probably has money of her own' and 'She's better in bed.' These are the subheadings and he then expands on these headers with reasons as to why this is a benefit.

I find this really quite disgraceful. Eating disorders are a serious issue, and he has glamorised it into something that is to be desired in a person. Eating disorders can have horrific side effects and can harm a persons body with irreversible consequences. Bulimia can potentially cause tearing of the oesophagus, which is caused by self-inflicted vomiting. Muscle atrophy can potentially be caused which is the wasting away of muscle and decrease in muscle mass due to the body feeding off of itself.  Anorexia can potentially result in infertility, or problems during pregnancy. There have even been cases of suicide as a result of eating disorders.

I have had the misfortune to witness a friend that has had an eating disorder, and to see it first hand brings to reality the seriousness of the situation. Thankfully, she overcame her eating disorder; however, two years later is still affected by what it did to her.

I feel this article is absolutely vile, and do not understand how a person can have such views on the subject. Eating disorders cannot be sugar-coated to be a good thing, and this is a sheer encouragement for girls to develop eating disorders. Some girls may read this article and genuinely believe what is written. With articles like this, it is no wonder that eating disorders are increasing. 3800 people, males and females, within the past four years have been admitted to hospital due to eating disorders. Cases during that time increased by almost 10%.

I feel strongly about eating disorders as I have been asked numerous times as to whether I have one or not. I used to work as a part-time waitress and often had comments asking if I ever actually ate anything., customers 'have numbers I could call regarding my issue', how would I know what the food tasted like as I 'clearly hadn't tried it', I'm 'stick thin', look at the size of me and more. As I was at work, I had to remain professional, and could not retaliate, but I hated comments like that. They happened regularly so in the end I got used to them; but it does not take away from the fact that they are unacceptable and cannot be asked purely because I have a slim figure. I don't understand how somebody can have the audacity to question another's health because of their figure, especially when at work. At first, I found it difficult to not say anything back and question why they thought they could ask such personal questions; but in the end, I got used to the comments and was no longer shocked by some of the things that were said to me.

Eating disorders are serious illnesses that do not need chauvinistic pigs like this glamorising them and taking away the seriousness of them. More awareness is still needed to emphasise the sheer severity of eating disorders, and articles like this are merely unnecessary. I understand people are entitled to their own opinions, but feel this is a step too far and screams desperation for readers. Of course, this article has had a lot of attention due to the content, but that is to be expected when it is so controversial.

Sources:
http://www.returnofkings.com/21313/5-reasons-to-date-a-girl-with-an-eating-disorder
http://www.something-fishy.org/dangers/dangers.php
http://www.anorexiabulimiacare.org.uk/information-and-statistics-media

Guest Speaker: Gino Sprio

Every Wednesday at university we have a voluntary session where a guest speaker comes in and tells us of what they've achieved and to offer some form of advice for us.

This week we had the fashion photographer, Gino Sprio.Gino Sprio is based in London, and his work has appeared in publications such as Vogue, Elle and The Sunday Times. Some of his work is currently displayed in the National Portrait Gallery in their permanent collection. Some of the people Sprio has photographed include Paul Smith, Augus McBean, James Nesbitt and Jake and Dinos Chapman.

When talking to us, Sprio told us how he got into the industry and was analysing his work with samples of photographs he'd taken. It was extremely interesting listening to why he photographed people the way he did and what it was he was trying to achieve. He told us he personally prefers shooting in black and white to colour, and a lot of his work is black and white.

I, personally, find his work incredible. A contributing factor may be because he explained the reasons behind the photos, but that doesn't take away from how good they actually are.

I was adamant I wanted to attend the session, and I'm glad I did. It was an eye opener as to what you can achieve if you want something.Gino Sprio in amazing photographer and I'm extremely grateful I got the chance to attend the guest speaker session to listen to him.

I've added a few samples of his work, that are personal favourites of mine. His website is www.ginosprio.com which obviously has a lot more of his photographs on.

Angie Bowie

Morrissey

Anna Frield

Nick Cave

Paul Smith

Ozzy Osbourne

All photographs Copyright Gino Sprio.

Onwards and Upwards

I've spent the past month or so contemplating how I'm going to achieve what it is I want in life. It seems tonight I've had an apiphany, if you like. I'm twenty years old, and I feel like I'm finally doing something worthwhile with my life. I'm not just sitting around at home watching life pass me by, wondering what it is I'm doing with mine.

I wasted a lot of time last year on things I didn't want/need to be doing. A part time waitressing job, when I could have tried to get work experience. Having to go back to college to rectify my wrongs. I just wish I'd realised sooner what I wanted in my future. 

Don't get me wrong, I'm glad I've got the working experience I have, and I love the feeling of working and earning my own money. I despise the idea of having to take money off of my parents; I haven't since I was fifteen and don't intend to start now. I feel it just gives me such an independence earning my own money and having the freedom to spend it how I please. 

However, I need to focus on the future.  I've got myself a part-time job at university, and I've decided to stop wasting my money on such material objects. I intend to fill my bookshelf with fashion and journalism books; educating myself on the history of it all and how the industries are now; finding out how they've changed. I intend to actually achieve my goal of working for a fashion magazine and want a background knowledge of the industry. 

I've realised life really is too short to waste your time on things. Although, I do find that is a contradictory statement. Everyone says life is too short, yet it's the longest thing we'll ever experience. 

I've had some relationships come to an end with people that I thought were unexpected to say the least; but it's just another obstacle to overcome. People change as they get older and we all grow into different human beings. I know that I'm certainly not the same person I was three years ago. Sure, it's hard to lose some people, but you get on with it and you adjust to it. It takes a while but it's all just a learning curve. It's just a matter of picking yourself up, dusting yourself down and carrying on. 

That is exactly what I intend to do. 

Up To Now

So it's been a while since I last posted due to laptop issues. However, I intend to begin posting frequently on here.

I got into university; Southampton Solent, studying Journalism. I'm ecstatic about it. I'm getting settled in as I moved in on the 17th of September. My course has started, and I really like the sound of it and how it's going so far. I've met some amazing people over the course of these three weeks.

My life has changed a lot over the past month and it's quite difficult to keep up with the pace of which its continuing to change, but it seems to be getting better.

I turned twenty on the 6th of October - feeling rather old! However, I feel I'm at the right point in my life to be at university. I feel that within myself I'm in the right mindset to be here. I'm here to gain a degree and not go out drinking every single night; this time last year may have been a different story. It just seems to me like my life finally has some sort of direction, rather than me questioning what it is I'm doing with it.

I've managed to get myself a job down here, which I'm so happy about. I can't stand not having an income after previously having a job for five years at home. I start Thursday, so fingers crossed, its as good as my old one.

I was going to try to create a fashion blog, however I think I may deter away from that. I'm still going to incorporate fashion into it as it's such a high interest of mine, however, I don't want a fashion blog full of outfit posts. Don't get me wrong, I love reading blogs like that, I just don't feel I want to do that. I think I'm going to post my opinions of news articles, trying to create a portfolio of work for myself more based around journalism than fashion.

This is pretty much just an overview of what I've been up to and progressed over the past couple of months, so will get into creating and expanding my blog.