Majda Sall, a victim of fashion’s dictates, reveals today in a poignant testimony titled Mia, published on September 15, 2023, by La Belle Plume, the consequences of these often unconscious societal pressures where appearance reigns supreme, especially on social media. These social pressures can drive young girls to anorexia and bulimia, leading to mental illness or even suicide.
Throughout history, beauty standards have varied greatly. We see this in the sensual women painted by Renoir or in films from the 1950s featuring glamorous pin-ups and actresses like Marilyn Monroe. A complete shift occurred after the 1970s. Fashion began to favor androgynous women, pushing for extreme thinness with Kate Moss, the iconic supermodel of the 1990s, representing the ideal of feminine beauty. Nicknamed “the twig,” she wore size 0.
High fashion went even further by requiring size 2 for its models. But that wasn’t enough; young women were heavily made up to emphasize their pallor due to deficiencies. We witnessed fashion shows with young girls looking sickly… and who actually were.
Then, we observed a reverse trend with singers like Mariah Carey, Beyoncé, and influencer Kim Kardashian. To resemble them, some young women did not hesitate to get breast and buttock implants.
Currently, we are seeing a resurgence of a trend that glorifies thinness. Some American stars are opting for surgery to hollow out their cheeks. Even Kim Kardashian worries her fans with her thinness after a drastic diet. What message does this send to the many teenagers who see her as a role model?
In this testimonial book, Majda candidly shares her battles with anorexia and bulimia, which led to obsession and auditory hallucinations. She gradually sinks into the abyss of mental illness.
Majda Sall breaks a taboo by writing this book, which she intends as a lifeline for all anorexics and bulimics in France, some of whom take their own lives each year.
