Size 4 Model Fired for Being Too Fat
Credit: Randy Brooke/WireImage.com
A 5'10", 120-pound model is claming she was canned by Ralph Lauren because she was deemed too large.
"They said I couldn't fit in their clothes anymore," Filippa Hamilton, a size 4, said on the Today show Wednesday.
Hamilton - a 23-year-old Swedish-French model who worked for the company for eight years - said a letter was sent to her agent in April. It read: "We're terminating your services because you don't fit into the sample clothes that you need to wear."
A Ralph Lauren spokesperson denies Hamilton was axed over her weight, insisting that her termination "was a result of her inability to meet the obligations under her contract with us."
See healthy ways celebs stay fit
But Hamilton said, "I did everything that I could. I was very loyal to them. I was on time every time."
Hamilton said on the Today show that she had no intention of going public with her complaint until she discovered a Photoshopped image of her in a mall in Japan. The shot appeared on the Internet site BoingBoing.com.
The image, which featured the Ralph Lauren logo, showed an emaciated woman whose head was bigger than her hips.
See inspirting photos of real people who lost weight in a healthy way
"They Photoshopped her in a way that for me is grotesque and makes her look like a cartoon," Geoffrey Menin, Hamilton’s attorney, told NBC News. "The trouble is that it's damaging to her. Who wants to hire somebody that looks like that?"
See photos of models who embrace changes in their bodies
Ralph Lauren removed the ad and legally moved to demand that the images be taken off the Web, according to the Today show. In a statement, the company said: "We have learned that we are responsible for the poor imaging and retouching that resulted in a very distorted image of a woman’s body."
Still, Hamilton said the distorted image drove her to speak out.
"It's not a good example when you see this picture, every young woman is going to look at it and think that it is normal to look like that. It’s not,” she said on the Today show. "I saw my face on this super-extremely skinny girl, which is not me. It makes me sad. It makes me think that Ralph Lauren wants to have this kind of image. It's an American brand ... and it's not healthy, and it's not right."
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79I have no interest in ralph lauren, clothing or otherwise. there are so much better brands that are feminine yet aren't geared toward the skinny. it's gay men designing these brands, and of course they'll want a skinny looking "guy" in their fashion shows. check out the models walking the runway, most look like men, not feminine women. the structure of their shoulders, their hips (there is none) and the way they're asked to walk. Take any fashion magazine advertisement, or fashion layout, and put your hand over the "woman's" head, or head and fake breasts. Can you identify the (rest of the) body shown as male or female? Bet not!!
Ralph Lauren has psychological problems
super skinny people are ugly. it's important to be in shape and look healthy.
A designer is only as powerful as the "people" make him by buying his designs. It is time to take a stand and teach these designers a lesson. Put your money where you "heart" is by NOT buying Ralph Lauren Designs. There are other designers out there who have beautiful designs and who are far more responsible and respectful of the female body.
why do american models have to be bone-skinny? their backs practicly touch their stomachs and thats just gross why would u ever buy clothes wtih models like that modeling them? if u see latino models they are very curvacious.Filipa hamilton isnt fat she is has a beuatiful body.
why do american models have to be bone-skinny? their backs practicly touch their stomachs and thats just gross why would u ever buy clothes wtih models like that modeling them? if u see latino models they are very curvacious.Filipa hamilton isnt fat she is has a beuatiful body.
why do american models have to be bone-skinny? their backs practicly touch their stomachs and thats just gross why would u ever buy clothes wtih models like that modeling them? if u see latino models they are very curvacious.Filipa hamilton isnt fat she is has a beuatiful body.
I just made a call to Ralph Lauren and left a message for the CEO regarding the firing of Filippa Hamilton and the GROSS distortion of her image in their advertising. Let your voices be heard! It takes 2 minutes!!! Phone: 212-318-7000, ext 7417 (Asst to CEO). Fax: 212-318-769017. Tell them you will not support any mags that they advertise in or buy their clothes. RL accounts for 1/3 of my wardrobe, and I just packed everything away.
Mr. Lauren if that pic tickles your fansy then you need to see a doctor for the eyes and mind cause man your nuts,sick and freakin blind. Ms Hamilton you go girl other doors are gonna open for you. You are a very stunning female.
She is lying! If you go to ralphlauren or polo you will see plus size models.
Well, if SHE can't fit into the clothes there's no way everyday average women would. No way would I ever buy those clothes now that I know this...
wow she actually is really fat. If you are going to be a model you cant be chubby like her...
she's beaitful is this guy nuts i would die to have her body she is honestly and truthfully NOT FAT!
This is ridiculous! A size four is definitely not fat! What size do they want her to be? A 0 where she's just skin and bones? I would love to be a size four!
What the hell? She's too big? At 5'10", 120lbs is too big? Ralph Lauren, who are you making your clothes for? That photoshopped picture is unbelievably unrealistic!! No HEALTHY woman would look like that without some serious corseting. Go to hell, you rotten, soulless "fashion" bastards.
omg that picture is just ridiculous!!!!!! i wish i weighed that much!! shes beautiful Ralph lauren can go suck a nut...
Just curious... If being 120 lbs for a taller woman is "too fat", then what wtf is too fat for a shorter woman? 90 lbs? *shakes head* guess I'm fat as a house.. I'm only 5'2" and weigh 118 lbs.. MOOOOOOOO!!
Every woman should look half as good as her. Wow.
I want to have sex with her right now.
I want to have sex with her right now.