body issues

Model Eats, Obviously Sent Home From Paris

Ali Michael, at left, poses with Karlie Kloss, who is
still thin enough to walk the runways. Thank God.Photo: Patrick McMullan

Here’s a good one from Paris: It’s not as if the scant body mass indexes on runways are good things. But the absurdity marches on, and still some strong-headed young things refuse to accept the conventions of modeling’s narrow vision. What’s wrong with them, we may never know — but the latest oddity is 17-year-old Ali Michael, who last year opened for Lanvin and walked for Lagerfeld, Lacroix, Chanel, Galliano, Dior, Rodarte, and others.

The Wall Street Journal reports that this year, Michael got a little crazy and decided to stop making herself sick in order to keep her weight down — as a result, she gained five pounds. Wrong direction, Ali! Doesn’t this girl’s manager keep her in line? Anyhow, she’s been told this season that her legs are too fat for most Paris runways. Duh, comme il faut. So after walking for just Yohji Yamamoto, she’s cut her trip short and heading home to Texas. Oh, how far we fall. But what an instructive experience for everyone. —Jessica Coen

Wasn’t Skinny Supposed to Be Out of Fashion? [WSJ]

Model Eats, Obviously Sent Home From Paris