I was doing some research for an upcoming Model Homme post and I found a headline that was particularly disturbing.
Size 4 model: I was fired for being too fat
Former Ralph Lauren model Filippa Hamilton, who has worked with the brand for 8 years (since she was 15) was recently released by the brand because, as she states, she was too fat.
The brand informed Filippa of the decision via a letter that Lauren wrote to her agent saying "We're terminating your services because you don't fit into the sample clothes that you need to wear" adding in a response to the media "We regret that our relationship has ended as a result of her inability to meet the obligations under her contract with us..." (read full statement here)
Most easily recognized by RL lovers by the campaign shot above, Filippa is 5'10'', 120 pounds and a size 4....not exactly Tank Johnson. She also says that she has not gained a pound since she entered into her most recent contract.
I could see why she was fired though...
I mean, look at her...she's over-weight and grossly unattractive...
....uhhhhh.....yeah....I'm gonna have to disagree with Ralph on this one.
Make it an Outstanding Day!
- Kenyatte
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4 comments:
Why would RL fire her? Didn't they solve this when they photo-shopped the life out of her?
http://jezebel.com/5376418/ralph-laurens-ridiculous-photoshop-more-ridiculous-rage
RL apologized for this photo only to release another photo a few weeks later.
http://jezebel.com/5381844/yet-another-ralph-lauren-photoshop-of-horrors
I personally will not be purchasing RL products anytime soon. A portion of the products price goes into a marketing campaign that is anything but healthy to consumers.
Part of style is wearing your convictions, even if no one else notices.
I remember watching this interview. Sometimes the demands of the fashion world are preposterous. Great post as always, sir!
I like your posts a lot, and have made 'I'm phenomenal!' and 'Making it an outstanding day!' my mantras during cardio sessions and hard times since I read the article on you in Esquire.
I would, however, disagree with you on the reason Ralph Lauren fired Filippa Hamilton. I suspect it was their attempt to keep up the charade that they don't photoshop their models.
Unless I'm mistaken, the release doesn't say anything about why they fired her other than that she couldn't fit into the clothes. They then went on to apologize for the pictures from her recent photoshoot which were released in Japan. Since the backlash was because she looked unhealthily skinny, and markedly NOT fat, it's likely they're saying that they had to let her go because she's promoting an unhealthy image for RL.
Basically it's their way of saying 'pay no attention to the computer geek behind the curtain'.
Layers beneath layers, 8 years is also a long time for a non-super model to be with one company. I'd say it's also likely a PR opportunity to drop an aging employee.
In following your link to your Model Homme post, I was greeted by mixed feelings - firstly great enthusiasm that I had finally found the grey cashmere suit that I had spied early last year in a magazine.. followed by dismay when I realized it was a Ralph Lauren as due to this whole ridiculous debacle I have agreed upon purchasing nothing more from their company.
Oh well.
Glad to see this post on a site like yours. Keep up the great work!
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