JENNIFER HAWKINS: so, what was she and marie claire really thinking? I speak to the mag's editor, Jackie Frank

ALL pictures courtesy of marie claire

If you didn't know by now, 'Jennifer Hawkins appears both naked and un-retouched on the cover of maire claire’s February issue, on sale this Wednesday, January 6, to encourage positive attitudes to body image and support the Butterfly Foundation.' so goes the media release.

So the point too all of this is?

Instead of re-printing the media release I was happily able to pose a few questions to marie claire editor and and publisher, Jackie Frank, today.

MH: How can Kate Ellis and her code of conduct (discussed with Kevin Rudd in Canberra a few months ago) make more of this body issue than just playing lip service to the issue?
JF: The board needs to look at areas they can affect. Apply pressure to the government that appointed them to put money where they can make a difference! Today Kate Ellis said that there has been money put into the health system. Well not enough!

People suffering from anorexia have to wait till they get to a critical weight to be admitted to a public hospital only to be released once they put on weight. With little if any support only to be re admitted again. It is an inadequate system! Money needs to be put into this area to help those in need. The only way a person can get adequate treatment is to go through the private sector at a cost of around 30k.

We ran a story on a beautiful girl who was caught in the trap of not affording the help she needed. Her father contacted us in desperation. She has since passed away. It's a tragedy.

MH: Should young school kids (both girls and boys) learn more about body issues and image? And to be happy with what they have?
More support needs to be pushed through the education system supporting and encouraging young children about loving themselves and embracing diversity.

MH: Many mags, especially many international titles, are responsible for feeding insecurities about our bodies. How can that change? And if there are dollars involved (in magazine sales) will it ever?

JF: Self esteem issues should be part of the education system.

MH: Air brushing, of course, will always be around, so what is publishing a not-air-brushed image proving when they are genetically gorgeous girls anyway! (Jen now and Sarah Murdoch, more recently in the Women's Weekly?)

JF: The idea of stopping mags air brushing is ridiculous as most young people are computer savvy and use photo shop on their own pics! They know how to do it themselves.

Yes, Jen is genetically blessed but no one has considered the point that Jen has made a living out of her body and that makes it even braver to put herself out on a limb imperfections and all.

Very few celebrities would do this and she deserves a pat on the back for putting that message out there. We are saying that nobody is perfect and even Jen has had her insecurities. Women need to give themselves a brake. We are hardest on each other!!

In a further conversation just now, Jackie went onto to tell me that her magazine has NOT gone about wanting every women to 'look like' Jennifer Hawkins, but to create an awareness of bodies, well, being the bodies we are born with.

She also said that in her November issue, she had 18 naked women in all shapes and sizes featured and THAT didn't raise a peak from ay section of the media.

And, that it does take a 'celebrity' body - in this case - a well-known clothes model - to raise an issue. That issue being one of self-esteem.

What I can see is that the main problem everyone is having is that the 'body' used as the 'example' looks a pretty darn flawless one to most of us. Retouched or not.

And let's face it it? A naked Jen on a cover of a magazine? Ummm, of course yhere will be a few bucks to be made out of this particular issue and in this day of justifying bottom lines and publishing CEO's wanting to make a buck, often any moral and ethical codes are put aside.

So, as a money spinner, it just may prove to be a stroke of marketing savvy.

But, it is nice to see the Butterfly Foundation (which helps those who may be experiencing body image issues lie anorexia) will benefit out of the signed 'sale' of the original naked Jen picture.

As for the printed story that goes alongside the pics, Jen doesn't give TOO much away, well, she does lives a pretty simple life but the most interesting part was WHY she said she did this shoot.

' "I would have been worried about what people thought, whether it was the right decision – a thousand different things… But over the past year and a half I’ve grown into myself, and I’m more confident and comfortable within the modelling industry. I did it for the experience… It felt quite sensual and sexy. I felt empowered”.
While naturally slim, and with a body most of us would call 'totally not the norm' – Jen tells marie claire about the hard work that goes into her success, which includes keeping her body in great condition through regular exercise and a balanced diet.'

Thoughts?