Not the ideal image

To the editor:

I certainly hope that the bill introduced last year by State Senator Brad Holyman-Sigal and Assemblywoman Karines Reyes making it illegal to alter models' images without their consent gets passed ("Models facing up to use of AI by fashion industry,” The Chief, Feb. 2). But what makes this even worse is that the fashion industry's idea of ideal images is not the same as many other people's. It is often fueled by fashion designers whose preference is for skinny and whose idea of ideal is fueled by racism.

In the online photo comparison of Taiwanese-American model Shereen Wu and the altered picture with a white face, Wu’s face is clearly prettier. I don't think that too many WWE fans would consider anything inferior about the superb looks of Japanese female wrestlers Asuka, Iyo Sky or Kairi Sane. 

Ironically, designer Michael Costello is touted for having designed clothes for Jennifer Lopez, Beyonce and Cardi B. None of whom are white, and none who might be considered thin.

Women and girls are encouraged to starve themselves, which actually hurts their looks and health. The fact that full-figured Marilyn Monroe is still considered a sex icon decades after her death shows what most men really find attractive.

There are some women who are naturally skinny and they should not feel bad about that. But it's about time the fashion industry stopped promoting white and skinny as the only ideal.

Richard Warren