Model Speaks Out About The Sick Fashion Industry After Being Told to "Shrink"

There are so many different bodies out there, it seems absurd that the fashion industry wouldn't want them all represented — widening their demographic. But nonetheless, the models in this world are continuously scrutinized to look a certain way. Elizabeth Anne Holland, 21, from Hull, is one of them. The model says that a top agency informed her that she needed to "shrink" all over in order to be successful. At 5ft 9in and a size eight, that seems rather harsh. Holland admits that she contemplated suicide at times as a result of this body shaming. Now, she's opting to reveal these cruel and harmful standards. Recently, she posted the below statement, which was shared 700 times: Holland posted the statement alongside photos of her thin frame on Facebook. “They told me my hip measurements were too big and I needed to shrink overall," she said. “I’m 5ft 9in, nearly 5ft 10in, size eight… And they wanted me to be smaller? Unfortunately I fell for it, I’ve been one of those girls who are told they are not thin enough. Not good enough," she continued. [bctt tweet="Model Speaks Out About The Sick Fashion Industry After Being Told to "Shrink""] “I was never good enough for being me. This has driven me to have an unhealthy relationship with food and depression. It’s stripped me of my self-esteem and confidence. It affects my family, relationships, work. They made me feel so bad that I don’t feel good enough for anything or anybody around me, and contemplated taking my own life at my worst.” She also revealed that she underwent an extreme diet to stay thin, eating only small amounts of food like nuts and seeds and staying away from fruit and juices. She said she spent every day at the gym, and only allowed herself to eat tomatoes as a snack. Eventually, she overcame her eating disorder and depression, and was scouted by another top agency earlier this year. But they, too, told her she was too big, which caused the model to relapse even harder. “I’ve got to the point where I don’t feel like I deserve to eat sometimes, there’s no point in me being around because I’m such a burden," she explained. “When I feel really bad, I’ll just eat carrots or when I try to eat normal, it will make me feel extremely guilty. I’ve even tried smoking to see if it cuts my appetite. I cry way too much.” Her mother, Jayne Moss, has taken matters into her own hands, writing an inquiry to the government about the issue. Of her decision to stay in the industry, Holland says, “The fact is, I get reeled in, made to feel good, but then smacked right down again. I would love to still do modelling, but the price I am paying for feeling fat and and worthless, I’m not sure it’s worth it anymore. If I could do it as me, that would be amazing, I’d love to be an example to girls everywhere. Those girls you see on social media, with their perfectly toned tummy, round hips skinny thighs, pearly white teeth, long glossy hair holding a burger captioned with #carbsfordays – yeah, it’s NOT real. I’ve seen too many stories about how these girls are actually so unhappy with their lives, it’s heartbreaking.” This is a recurring issue that, despite how many stories continue to surface, the industry seems to do nothing about it. Let's hope Holland finds peace and a healthy balance. What do you think of the way the modeling world treats people? Source: Unilad [caption id="attachment_123084" align="alignnone" width="100"] @BodyRockOfficial[/caption] [caption id="attachment_123085" align="alignnone" width="100"] @BodyRockTV[/caption]