Photographer Toscani shocks with campaign against anorexia
Italian photographer Oliviero Toscani, who became famous for his shocking Benetton ads, is once again causing a stir: In a campaign for a fashion label, he depicts the emaciated, naked body of a young woman suffering from anorexia.
Italian photographer Oliviero Toscani, who made a name for himself with Benetton shock ads, is causing a stir once again: In a campaign for a fashion label, he shows the emaciated naked body of a young anorexic. "No. Anoressia" is the short and sweet caption, meaning "No. Anorexia". The woman depicted has been suffering from the disease for 15 years and weighs just 31 kilograms. Toscani's pictures were published on Monday, at the start of Milan Fashion Week, by various Italian daily newspapers and on posters in several Italian cities.
"Anorexia is a taboo subject for the fashion world, as it used to be with Aids," Toscani told the Italian news agency ANSA. "I believe that fashion has contributed greatly to the spread of anorexia."
The Italian Ministry of Health supports Toscani's campaign. Following the death of a model from starvation, the government, fashion associations and the organizers of Italian fashion shows drew up a manifesto against anorexia at the end of last year.
However, Fabiola De Clercq, president of an anorexia research association, criticized Toscani's pictures: "This campaign makes no sense," she said. Such a sick girl should be in therapy. The advertising does not show the severity of the condition and cannot have a positive effect.
Toscani's advertising campaigns are a constant source of controversy. Among other things, he was responsible for posters showing a newborn baby, the blood-soaked clothing of a killed Yugoslavian soldier or an AIDS patient.
"Anorexia is a taboo subject for the fashion world, as it used to be with Aids," Toscani told the Italian news agency ANSA. "I believe that fashion has contributed greatly to the spread of anorexia."
The Italian Ministry of Health supports Toscani's campaign. Following the death of a model from starvation, the government, fashion associations and the organizers of Italian fashion shows drew up a manifesto against anorexia at the end of last year.
However, Fabiola De Clercq, president of an anorexia research association, criticized Toscani's pictures: "This campaign makes no sense," she said. Such a sick girl should be in therapy. The advertising does not show the severity of the condition and cannot have a positive effect.
Toscani's advertising campaigns are a constant source of controversy. Among other things, he was responsible for posters showing a newborn baby, the blood-soaked clothing of a killed Yugoslavian soldier or an AIDS patient.
