Remember how Julia Bluhm and other teens challenged Seventeen Magazine to publish one spread each month that wasn't airbrushed? Editor-in-Chief Ann Shocket took the pledge and pushed it farther than Bluhm or anyone could have imagined. From now on they're featuring girls with a variety of "realistic" body types and no more airbrushing those girls' images, either. Amazing win for teens!
So, how about Teen Vogue? Teen girls sent their petition to the Conde Nast magazine and... SIGH. Let's just say the editors were not quite as receptive to the message as the editors of Seventeen.
Spark Movement teens led by 17-year-old Emma Stydahar and 16-year-old Carina Cruz staged a fashion show in front of Teen Vogue's offices to demonstrate what real girls' bodies look like. And they were also invited to meet with the magazine editors.
But what a different meeting. First of all, no cupcakes and friendly office tour like at Seventeen. Instead, Stydahar and Cruz were sat down and told in no uncertain terms that Teen Vogue is already diverse, okay? DIVERSE. And as proof they were handed past issues marked with post-its showing the 2-3 brown-skinned models featured in each. Stydahar later wrote her impression.
Most of them were thin African-American models. It was a good start — we love seeing women of color in these magazines. But two or three an issue — and all of them super stick skinny — isn't what we're looking for.
What are they looking for? Check out their petition. They want Teen Vogue and other teen magazines to "stop altering natural bodies and faces so that real girls can be the new standard of beauty." But apparently Teen Vogue is not joining the positive body image revolution. I mean, someone has to keep reminding girls to feel badly about themselves!
Hello, feminism FAIL.
I'm disappointed. It's not just that the editors aren't supporting the idea of positive images of girls. It's that they were so fucking rude about it! You've got a group of strong girls who are brave enough to try and change the world. It's inspiring! And what do the editors do? They basically tell the girls they're wrong. They shut them down. And you know what? That's just bullshit. Women in positions of power should be supporting girls like Emma and Carina. I hope they reconsider.
Are you surprised that the Teen Vogue editors responded so differently than the Seventeen editors?
Image via ABC News
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Comments 14
Honestly, I would love to have a magazine available that shows real people...
They need to not buy teen Vogue then they will change their tune on the issue. The only thing that will make them change their mind is a loss of $$$. Get them through the pocketbook. It is the only thing they understand.
I am not suprised they treated the girls that way. I am glad the girls are standing up for what the belive in BUT if the magazine wont change then the teens should stop buying the magazine and start a movement on that and it will shut them out of business!!
MMbales-That's my motto when it comes to satisfaction for issues (no pun intended). Vote with your wallet.
While that's a nice idea in theory, in practice a few people not buying it isn't giong to make a huge difference to them, and sadly, only a few will actually stop buying it. I think what the girls are trying to do is fantastic, but Vogue believes itself to be the holy grail and bible of everythign to do with fashion. I don't waste my money on any magazzines, they just depress me too much!!
How about set a protest to not buy the magazine till they change. Money talks if they start to loose a lot of real revenue then they might change.
The true test comes now. How will those girls react? Will they let this setback crush them, or will they continue on? They had to expect that not every magazine was going to be as receptive as Seventeen, and it doesn't surprise me that they've met with resistance. They are talking about taking away a company's bread and butter - the perception of unattainable beauty. What do you think causes people to buy makeup, fancy clothes, super-high heeled shoes? Not comfort! It's the sex appeal, the idea that they are going to look like that gorgeous (albeit fake) woman in the magazine. They are in business to create an illusion, and these girls are asking them to pull back the curtain and reveal themselves.
I completely agree with what these young ladies are doing, by the way, I just think they have an uphill battle ahead of them. I hope they are up for it. More power to them, and I hope they keep going.
it has nothing to do with feminism..they photoshop the male models too..men for some reason don't sit and compare themselves to male models for some reason..
teen vogue can do what ever it wants with their magazine.