Transition Year students can win a week's work placement in The Irish Times. Send us your thoughts (200 words maximum) on a media-related topic - if your submission is published, the placement is yours.
Waif-like, scrawny, raw-boned, lank . . . These are all words which summarise the models we are swamped with, be it from magazines, newspapers or the TV. Predominantly girls, their faces are gaunt, their eyes dilated and cheekbones protrude unnaturally. Ribcages visible to all, they trudge down the catwalk in such a plain and unassuming manner, with sombre looks and legs about to break, you wonder: is this the Jews' death march of 1945?
With girls as young as 14 modelling professionally, and many labels previously worn by the 20-plus category now favouring the teenage body, it seems the fashion industry has become a ludicrous place. The irony is that, despite constant talk of a huge increase in people aged 50 and up (together with the reality that older women are more financially secure and willing to spend), designers are shunning the more mature image and instead are milking the fresh adolescent.
Refreshing, then, to see Vogue dedicate six pages to older women, who range from 52 years right through to 100. Skilful photography, fine makeup, glamorous clothes and suitable accessories see these alternative models in an exceptionally good light. Is the precedent set for a nouveau chic.
Niamh O'Reilly, Rathdown School, Glenageary, Co Dublin
Ours is the generation of the chat show. Irish-made chat shows are increasing rapidly in number, if not popularity, as we edge toward the millennium. In Ireland, the two dominant TV talk-show hosts are undoubtedly Gay Byrne and Pat Kenny - one of whom is retiring at the end of this season, the other of whom has atrocious taste in music and such frequently uninteresting guests that his show has been labelled Kenny Dead.
Understandably RTE has panicked, introducing yet more chat shows covering different topics and hosted by fresh-faced females who have nothing much to say for themselves, including Carrie Crowley and Clare McKeon. Perhaps they are attempting to groom several people at once in an effort to find the one best suited to filling Gay Byrne's shoes.
I have personally had enough of this string of chat shows. There is only one Gay Byrne and I only hope that RTE will soon accept this and stop bombarding us with this inferior rubbish.
Write to media scope by posting your comments to Newspaper in the Classroom, The Irish Times, 11-16 D'Olier Street, Dublin 2, or faxing them to (01) 679 2789.
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Or you can use the Internet and email us at mediapage@irish-times.ie.
media scope is a weekly media studies page for use in schools. Group rates and a special worksheet service are available: FREEPHONE 1-800-798884 (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.).
media scope is edited by Harry Browne.
