“Anorexxxy,” optical frames by Thierry Lasry, recently received notice. (If you are feeling shocked about “Anorexxxy”/anorexia being seen as a fashion label instead of as a serious illness, you are not alone.) Jennifer Ouellette, a mother familiar with eating disorders, took to social media with her message of concern.
According to a CBS news report (CBS8.com), Ouellette explained, “Even though it seems like a silly little thing the name of the sunglasses, it has an impact on our culture and how our culture perceives anorexia. I couldn’t let it stand.”
The viral Twitter campaign grabbed attention. Thierry Lasry offered this clarification: “This name was not meant to be taken seriously at all. We were obviously in no way paying any kind of homage to anorexia as it is a terrible illness. We never wanted to upset anyone.”
Granted, after reading the above statement, it took my spirit a few minutes (or more) to shift from feelings of disturbance to the following perspective. I “get” that they probably did not mean to upset anyone. Since their business relies on sales, in all likelihood, they want their sunglasses to sell—certainly not upset. So that makes sense, but then why such insensitivity and flippancy?
Public unawareness about the seriousness of eating disorders seems to steadily linger. For example, how often do we hear people joke about wanting or having an eating disorder (“I wish I could get an eating disorder!“ or “I think I have an eating disorder. I love food. [laughter]”-type statements)? In reality, this “Anorexxxy” branding-blunder seemed to do some unexpected good: it posed an opportunity to educate Thierry Lasry and bystanders about the graveness of eating disorders.
Even though the “Anorexxxy” had been around for approximately three years, shortly after Ouellette’s social media campaign, the frame’s name was changed. Bravo to all involved, meaning those who pursued increased consciousness and change as well as those who allowed openness for change.
