This September Italian GQ cover really troubled me. I would like to know what the Editor-in-Chief was thinking when he/she approved this shot because the skeletal image is frighteningly unhealthy on so many levels. Is it a cultural point of view of beauty? Is it the fashionista view of Helena through distorted goggles? Do men in Italy really find this look sexy?
The pictures inside the magazine of Helena are better although a couple have that American Apparel flavor to it. At 39, it's great that the Italian fashionistas will feature older models beyond the typical teen to 20-somethings. However, GQ could have gone with a much wiser shot than this. You think that US GQ would ever go with a cover like this, yes/no? Although, US GQ is not totally without crime because they did photoshop to the nines Kate Winslet without her permission and she let them have it.
When Thinspo type images like this appear on a men's magazine do you think it does more damage to perceptions of beauty and body image than say if it were the cover of Vogue a woman's magazine, or it wouldn't matter because it's unhealthy either way?