Supermodel Choi So Ra opened up about her extreme diet that left her fainting more than 10 times a day.
The model made a guest appearance on the December 2nd episode of 'Yoo Quiz on the Block,' and she shared the past diet that almost had her quit her job as a model. She said, "Just a day before the Louis Vuitton's show, I got canceled. They said I looked bloated but then my weight was the same as when I signed the exclusive contract with them."
She continued, "Next season came, and I thought I couldn't miss another opportunity like that so I was extra hard on myself. I only drank water for 5 weeks. I went from 52kg(~114lb) to 45kg(~99lb)." She then reminisced, "Everyone said I was so pretty when my body was shutting down. I didn't feel like living. I would faint more than 10 times a day and I felt acute pain even when someone touched my hand. I became sensitive to pain and all my bones ached."
She said it took her 2 years to become healthy again and concluded, "I questioned the fashion industry but then I realized I love fashion so much...So I came to the conclusion that I should be healthy so that I can work for a long time in this industry."
This is horrific, but not surprising. Fashion houses SHOULD owe a duty of care to their models and wider society.
Clothing shouldn't be defined by an extreme that depends on a person's 'body shutting down'.