F I R E VOLUME ONE
WHAT IGNITES YOUR FIRE?
A LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
WHAT IGNITES YOUR FIRE? When you have a cause to fight for and the passion and drive to pursue it, you build a means to the create change. I call this fighting with a triangle of fire.Your cause is your fuel, your passion is your heat, and your means is the oxygen you need to start a flame. What is my fire, you might ask? The eradication of body image issues. Over the years, too many people have come to me struggling with issues surrounding their image. We live in a society that puts such heavy emphasis on body image, and the results are deadly. It is my goal and passion to eradicate the unnecessary pressure to conform into societal standards. So, without hesitation, I give you F I R E, a magazine designed to burn down the stigma and pressure of body image. Editor in Chief, Eden Kaminsky
TORONTO
LOCATED IN THE MOST MULTICULTURAL CITY IN THE WORLD, F I R E MAGAZINE IS A CATALYST FOR CHANGE.
MENTAL HEALTH AND MODELLING FASHION BLOGGER ANNIE CERISE GETS REAL ABOUT TRUTH AND STATISTICS
When a model is observed on the runway it is likely that the first place our attention is drawn is toward their physical appearance, such as their most prominent features and the way they have been styled. It is rare to truly witness what happens behind the scenes of the modelling industry.
Body image issues and mental health challenges are becoming increasingly pursued conversations within the industry, with many stories and surveys bringing to light the reality of the glamorous industry. When a model is observed on the runway it is likely that the first place our attention is drawn is towars their physical appearance, such as their most prominent features and the way they have been styled. It is rare to truly witness what happens behind the scenes of the modelling industry. Body image issues and mental health challenges are becoming increasingly pursued conversations within the industry, with many stories and surveys bringing to light the reality of the glamorous industry.
Four years ago, Model Alliance conducted an “Industry Analysis� survey, where 85 active models in the USA spoke out about their experiences with body image and mental health challenges. Results had shown that two-thirds of these models were to diagnosed with an anxiety or depressive disorder, and that one third were suffering from eating disorders. As both a writer and a model, I was very passionate to find more indepth analysis of experiences facing these challenges in the industry. I asked a group of models two questions pertaining to the issues at hand, and their responses did not suprise me. The two questions that they were asked were:
As a model, what are your thoughts in regards to those in our industry who are living with mental health challenges and body image issues, and how do you think we should go about facing the challenges within the industry?
The overwhelming response that I received from the industry professionals is that the modelling field is brimming with mental health challenges and body image issues, and that more immediate action in raising support and awareness is needed immediately. The models that were interviewed talked about their specific self esteem issues in relation to the standard expectations of the modelling industry, speaking on how fragile of a line they must walk. Being considered ‘too tall’, or ‘too short’, or not the ‘right’ specific size for the industry were some of the main concerns the models talked about. One model stated “I feel I have to fit societal standards of 'beautiful', or I'll be out of work. It heightens my own anxiety and depressive disorder, and it is exhausting.”
In regards to possibilities of creating positive change towards the challenges of the industry, the models came to a general consensus of promoting healthy models, fighting for diversity in the industry, and creating strong self empowered voices and communities. How we work to promote positivity and acceptance within this industry must be done as a collective, where every voice working towards positive change has the power to be heard.
Written by Annie Cerise