Sep 9 2009

Hungry. A Young Model’s Story of Appetite, Ambition and the Ultimate Embrace of Curves by Crystal Renn

(via thestate)

Plus-Size Model Crystal Renn (23) just released a book about her journey in the modeling world, a journey from size 0 to size 12: “Hungry – A Young Model’s Story: Appetite, Ambition and the Ultimate Embrace of Curves”.

Here’s her summarized story: At age 14, Crystal told that she had to lose 10 inches from her hips in order to be a succesful model. As a result, Crystal went from 175 lbs to 95 lbs in just 2 years. At 16, Crystal dealt with anorexia and was a size 0(US). But then, there was a turning point:

“At 17 my body completely rebelled. I couldn’t loose more weight and I realized I was going to die for a job. The next day I was completely chastised by my agency for my size and one agent pulled me aside and said, “There’s an option for you. You can either go plus-size or do commercial work.” And I asked, “What’s plus-size modeling? I’ve never heard of that.” And she said, “Well it means you can be whatever size you want and model.” But she said it was for old women! But for whatever reason, everything made sense and I knew this was the route I had to take. I went and had a salad with salmon and walnuts and olive oil. I gave into what my body needed. I could be healthy and happy and still model.”, says Crystal.

… and so, she was inspired to share her story in a book:

“I’d like to see everyone take on the attitude that there are women of all different shapes and sizes as `the beauty ideal,’ and that it’s not one type or another. There are women who are naturally a size 2 — you can’t forget them, and that’s discrimination the other way,” Renn said. “All women bring something different to the table and we have to appreciate them all.”

Some in the fashion, modeling and magazine industries have been receptive to the idea, she said, noting that she’s still working with her fuller figure in Vogue, Glamour, on the runway with Jean Paul Gaultier and in ads for Dolce & Gabbana. ”I believe there is a cycle to everything — Wall Street, the housing market, and modeling, too. Back in the Victorian days, it was all about a full figure, in the ’50s, it was about the boobs, in the ’80s it was shoulders and in the ’90s it was waifs,” she said. “It can only go up from here.”, says Crystal.

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Isn’t she beautiful?

(via thestate)

She’s gorgeous! But I’m shocked at what the industry calls “plus size”.


Jun 22 2009

Cooking books

I bought some books on Saturday: Jeni Wright “The pasta bible” and Anne Sheasby “Fat-Free guilt-free food that is full of flavour cooking”.

When I saw “The pasta bible” I was surprised by the price – 22 Bulgarian levas (about $16). The same brand new book at Amazon.com costs about $115!! WOW!!  I think the book is wonderful with beautiful pictures and step by step, easy to follow recipes. This book is definitive guide to the art of making, cooking and enjoying pasta.

“Fat-Free cooking” is great too, it includes healthy eating guidelines, fat-free cooking techniques, easy-to-read fat content charts and information on how to cook with low-fat and non-fat products.

books

I will be using these books a lot!!


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