Business of Modeling: Thin Model fired from Louis Vuitton for being "bloated"

Yet again the fashion and modeling world has been buzzing about another situation of model-client relations that has gone viral.  Which is a good thing as it is creating more discussion about the dictatorial nature of the business, where the model is clearly at the bottom of the pecking order.

Danish model Ulrikke Hoyer blogged about being hired and then fired by fashion house Louis Vuitton for being “bloated”.  “I am aware that I’m a product,” Hoyer wrote. “I can separate that, but I have seen way too many girls who are [so] skinny that I don’t even understand how they even walk or talk. It’s so obvious that these girls are in desperate need of help.”

The fact that she spoke out took courage when being vocal about any perceived injustices in the business can blackball a model forever.  Kudos to Ulrikke Hoyer for standing up and having a voice.  Clearly she is thin and angular and could not have been so bloated as to alter her size completely, and to suggest otherwise is simply ignorant and an abuse of one’s position.  That she was told that she was not to eat during the run up to show is cruel and irresponsible – is it any wonder models get eating disorders when they are expected to starve to be unnaturally thin?

The disrespect for the model as a professional, not to mention simple common courtesy, highlights what is fundamentally wrong with the fashion and modeling industries.  By requiring their models to be unnaturally thin would suggest that the brand’s clientele wants to see ultra-thin models without any adult body features showing them how to look in the brand.  Well I beg to differ.  It’s patronizing and disrespectful to the clients every bit as much as it is to the models.

Props to Ulrikke for bravely having a voice and being heard.  "I’m still a human and I need to be treated right," Hoyer concluded. "I know by saying my story and speaking out I’m risking it all, but I don't care. Maybe this was my last job, then that’s it. I’m done with working for people that will treat me this way." 

Let’s hope Ulrikke doesn’t have to take one for the team and that she has started a dialogue that is so needed and important in the fashion and modeling business. 

                                                                            XOXO  Shelley

#Ulrikke Hoyer #model fired from Louis Vuitton for being bloated #business of modeling #models and body size #models and weight #models required to be unnaturally thin #models being told not to eat #facethis.blogspot.com #Shelley Goodstein