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Nov 09DAUL KIM, AGE 20
When I read the news that model Daul Kim was found dead in her Paris apartment an air of sadness loomed over me. For her family and friends who have lost her, I am sure words cannot even describe their pain.
What makes this story most morose is that another young woman has taken her life and the discourse as to why has barely scratched the surface. Reporters have turned to her now private/locked blog Iliketoforkmyself for answers but so many seem to already be staring them in the face. This year alone we have heard from 3 different top models on how difficult their lives have been in the oh-so-glamourous world of modeling. They, like us, are taught to believe that there’s no changing the industry and if you cannot cut it, you’re skin isn’t thick enough.
In 2009 Ali Michael openly discussed her eating disorder, Crystal Renn wrote a memoir about the pressures for perfection and Sara Ziff produced a documentary film which exposed models being plucked from obscurity, told not to eat, given drugs, and pressured to endure sexual assault. This is certainly not the life I’d wish upon anyone. Accountability? Why hasn’t this word been mentioned?
Many who consume and live for high fashion fail to notice that the models they’re worshiping are merely children, as was Daul when she entered this business. She died at age 20.
Lonely, deprived, overworked, and incredibly young. If we love these models so much why don’t we do them a favor and have a real discussion.