re moderna musef Coco Rocha British Columbian beauty bashes the fashion industry By Stephanie Trembath, Fashion Editor ‘ y yith delicate features and almond shaped eyes that can’t help but remind you of a playful kitten, Vancouver’s own Coco Rocha is becoming one of the leading ladies in the modeling industry who isn’t afraid to do her own thing and speak her mind; especially regarding young girls in the modeling industry and the ridiculous demands made by fashion designers. Born in Toronto, Rocha moved to Richmond, B.C., where she was discovered by Charles Stuart while performing at an Irish Dance Competition. It wasn’t until 2004 when she signed on with SUPREME in New York City that she became one of the most wanted models on the catwalk. In 2007, Rocha opened for Jean Paul Gaultier’s Winter Show where she Irish-danced her way down the runway; Vogue declared this a “Coco Moment” and since then Rocha has become one of the top 50 supermodels in the world. After being called “greasy glam” and “the money maker” by two popular magazines, Rocha was in an article in the New York Daily News titled; “Coco Rocha was too fat for the runway”. At 21, Rocha stands 5 foot 8 and weighs less than 110 pounds; which is too heavy by fashion standards. Last year, Rocha weighed only 108lbs and was told to lose more weight, forcing her to take diuretic pills to control her weight. “T was told to lose more weight. The look this year is anorexic. We don’t want you to be anorexic, we just want you to look it,” said Rocha, who stated that although she is thin by regular standards, in this parallel universe she felt “fat.” Rocha is one of the very few models who discuss eating disorders and the pressure to be thin in this industry; she has made many i statements concerning the issue of model weight and the age of young girls entering the industry. Rocha strongly believes that young girls under the age of 16 should not be booked for shows, and that the “childish figure” expected and desired is completely unnatural and reduces women to an “emaciated skeleton.” “Surely fashion’s aesthetic should enhance and beautify the human form, not destroy it,” says Rocha. college pro . aa SUMMER PAINTERS JOBS COLLEGE PRO PAINTERS is presently looking for responsible / hard- working University or College students for: Full-Time Painting Positions May - August No experience required, we will train you to paint. Positions available in your area. If interested call 1-888-277-9787 or apply online at www.collegepro.com Fashion Coco Rocha A spokesman for the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), Rocha believes that if more models refused to abide by the ridiculous weight standards and terms of designers, the problem of eating disorders and body image issues would decrease. One of Rocha’s ideas to encourage models to stay healthy is to enlarge the sample sizes sent out by designers; if the dresses are bigger the pressure is off to stay tiny, and make more fruits and veggies available during runway shows. The CFDA is responsible and accountable for certain health initiatives to address the global issue surrounding fashion in how models are unhealthily thin. Realizing that some models are naturally slim and their appearance is a result of genetics and proper nutrition, the CFDA is a campaign of awareness and support for young women in the fashion industry to promote that “beauty is health.” The CFDA maintains a list of regulations in relationship to a models weight, age, and the identification of eating disorders, as well as the promotion of fitness and healthy meal options. Despite the actions taken by the CFDA, the issues surrounding model weight, and body image ideals, and eating disorders, are created and fuelled by society; because the CFDA cannot set a specific weight regulation they are helpless to change the “thin is in” mentality. ; Rocha is currently working on her own line of clothing titled ROCOCO. She wore her very first design on the red carpet at the 52°‘ annual Grammy Awards; a brilliant blue and gold ensemble with a futuristic edge to it. With more supermodels declaring war on the ridiculous demands of the fashion industry, Coco Rocha stands out as a celebrated modern muse.