New Regulations on Photoshopped Images in France?

French Parliament member Valerie Boyer has proposed a law that label all advertisements that have been retouched in magazines and other advertisements.  The law is supposed to steer adolescent girls away from body image issues and eating disorders.  While Boyer tries to make it a worthwhile cause, many in the fashion business agree the proposal is “demagogic and stupid”.  Editors and photographers both insist that the issue is much more complicated than editing in Photoshop.  French Marie Claire’s editor notes that all  her readers know that images in the magazine have been retouched. Camera lens’ alter an individual in photos before any digital enhancements are made.  What about the editing of images to make people look healthier?  Photoshop has been known to fill out models and celebrities who are devastatingly thin.  Do we label the retouching then also?

Retouching has always been an issue between health advocates and the fashion industry.  Recently, Ralph Lauren came under scrutiny for a leaked image of Filippa Hamilton whose head was wider than her hips.  On a side note, Filippa was  “fired…because they said..[she] was overweight and couldn’t fit in their clothes anymore”.

Jessica Alba photoshopped in the thighs, breasts and waist for the Campari calendar shoot.

For more on this article, check out NY Magazine’s article here.