“…Swedish fashion chain H&M admitted to using computer-generated models to showcase a range of collections on its website. The virtual models look completely human, but if you look closely, they all have the same body shape and pose. The real model’s head has been superimposed on the body and the skin tone has been digitally altered to match her complexion. Swedish website Aftonbladet first noticed the uncanny similarities of the models. Hacan Andersson, a spokesman from H&M, confirmed this by saying:
“It’s not a real body, it is completely virtual and made by the computer. We take pictures of the clothes on a doll that stands in the shop, and then create the human apperance with a program on a computer.”
This method has created some controversy among netizens who have criticized H&M for creating a false reality for its customers and creating an unrealistic body image for women to live up to.
Andersson argued that the choice was made because it simplified the process of the photoshoot and also that customers can focus on the clothes rather than the models. He explained, “The result is strange to look at, but the message is clear: buy our clothes, not our models.”
This article originally published at PSFK here. Images courtesy of Mashable via H&M
Earlier this winter I wrote about Gel Nail manicures and the pros and cons of this new manicure technique. Being a sucker for beautiful nails and a regular at my local nail salon, I began to tell myself, “…OK, just this time. Next visit I’ll give my nails a break and go without polish…” That mind set led me to 5 months worth of Gel Manicures. I have to say that during those five months, once the manicure was set, my nails looked AWESOME! They never chipped, split, tore or otherwise got ratty.
When the temperature drops my nails dry out so quickly that it is all I can do to keep them from splitting and chipping. And with dry cracked nails come dry cracked cuticles that bleed and hurt and look awful. I have tried all sorts of creams and lotions and fancy oils but nothing seemed to help. (And the fact that I pick at my ragged cuticles doesn’t help either!) Recently a friend suggested that I rub plain old olive oil – the kind we all keep in big bottles in our kitchens – into my nails and cuticles twice a day. Skeptical at first, I figured I had nothing to lose and started rubbing oil into my nails in the morning and before bed. After a week of olive oiling my nails I’m please to admit that my nails really look better. It’s taking a while to get used to the smell, but the noticeable improvement will keep me dipping into my little olive oil dish.
