Re-touching - A thing of the past or still an issue?

Do we still aspire to be someone who does not naturally exist?

This is the question we should all be asking ourselves when we look at the front cover of a magazine. One of the most time long and constant issues we have, is with ourselves and the way we look. Are fashion magazines to be blamed for this, or have we just fallen into the trap of believing everyone can be 'perfect'?

Re-touching, which has now become a world wide media issue is something which not alot of people were aware occured on the front covers of our favourite magazines. Vogue, Glamour, Elle and even Mens Fitness have all been brought up in the media for using re-touching as a means to make celebrities look thinner, have flawless skin, no cellulite or stretch marks, I mean the list could go on with what this new technology can do with your appearance.

The issue of re-touching really got brought to the public's attention back in 2003, when Kate Winslet used PR as a means to make everyone aware that her cover on GQ magazine was entirely airbrushed and looked nothing like her. GQ had used re-touching to make Winslet look thinner by reducing the size of her thighs which drove her to speak up and make young girls aware of this new technology and that most images we see and admire to be on magazines are all fake. Other celebs are also using PR to voice thier opinions on the issue of re-touching, as we heard in 2008 when Keira Knightley refused to have her breasts enlarged for an image for her new film 'Duchess'. This could have been interpreted as a clever PR move by Knightley, as by voicing this disapproval she also made the public aware of her new film as they would have wanted to see the un-retouched poster.

Many different media techniques have been used over the years to bring the issue of re-touching to people's attentions, however the one I personally felt made the most impact was in Spring 2008 when Strictly come dancing winner Aleasha Dixon explored the issue by filming a documentary for BBC three on whether these photos in magazines are a celebration of the female form or damaging to women's opinions of themselves.

Whether magazines will stop re-touching thier images, only time will tell, however now that more and more people are aware of this technology I feel the time has come for women to be proud of what they have and how they look and for the majority of men to stop hoping for the 'perfect' women which simply does not exist.

To read full articles see;

http://kissmyassets.drrobynsilverman.com/2008/08/01/keira-knightley-says-no-to-digital-breast-enhancement/

http://www.unrealitytv.co.uk/strictly-come-dancing/strictly-come-dancings-alesha-dixon-confirms-deal-with-bbc-three/

http://archive.southcoasttoday.com/daily/01-03/01-16-03/c20li152.htm