image via http://plfoto.com
This is not a post about the negative effects of smoking or how to quit but rather the story of how I was connected to smoking in the fashion industry. Anyone who has worked in the industry knows that almost 80%+ of the people involved smoke cigarettes everyday, whether you are a model, designer, work in sales or print, smoking is an inevitable aspect of socializing in this high profile environment. In this industry, smoking is linked to the femme fatale, being hip and thanks to some recent editorials, it is seen as Chic.
Today is my 2nd year anniversary since I quit smoking. I am proud of myself for having stopped, however I did not quit smoking due to the health issues involved (which are deadly) or because my family pressured me to do so but rather because I chose to. I can give you a list of excuses as to why I picked up smoking but all of them seem bland. In reality, I saw how ridiculous it was to spend $8.00 on a pack of cigarettes, I grew tired of heading out in the cold to get a smoke break and asked myself one day, why am I doing this?
I come from a family where women smoke, they do not smoke daily but rather in social gatherings. However, I used to light up a cigarette everyday. Unlike the United States, in many countries smoking is not seen negatively, it is harmful and everyone knows it but it is not viewed as a deadly sin. My grandmother who was indigenous from Guatemala’s southern coast chewed and smoked tobacco since the age of 5 years old. I know some of you may find this shocking but in Guatemala, a country where the main exports are coffee, tobacco and cacao (chocolate) the indigenous people have survived using tobacco to suppress hunger for hundreds of years when the crops failed to produce any food. Also, smoking was linked to social status in the past, for example in Paris during the 1930′s and 1950′s, women who smoked were perceived as fashionable and elegant, a view that has completely changed today.
I have met many colleagues who have told me they smoke because of peer pressure or it helps them relax during stressful deadlines, however there are those who use cigarettes to suppress hunger to maintain a slim figure. In a fast paced industry, I thought smoking would cure my anxiety and stress when in reality, a cigarette gave me a smoke stench face and an empty pocket.
2006- me with short hair and having a cigarette before designing
I will not tell you to quit because it is bad but rather assess your situation and see if what you have is any different from having an alcohol, drug or any other type of addiction. Do you smoke to escape your problems, be in shape, to stay awake or cure anxiety? The truth is that no one can make you do anything unless YOU want to do it. I stopped cold turkey (no patches or gum) and to this day I still get cravings, however the negative aspects of smoking are too many for me to want to continue with such habit. If you want to quit there are several resources that will help you such as, www.smokefree.gov.
I hope my story helped shed some light about smoking in the fashion world and will help others move forward.
Glendy
Wow. I never realised it was such a common thing in the fashion industry! I’ve heard about the appetite supressing qualities, and know of girls who have taken it up/ not wanted to quit for that reason, which is a bit scary.
My sister took up smoking when she was training to become a nurse! So many nurses smoke! I know that has nothing to do with the fashion industry, but I find this even more disturbing, as those working in the Health industry must be more aware than anyone of the risks involved!
I guess it’s up to the individual, but well done to you for overcoming the smoking addiction! I know from witnessing several friends’ attempts at quitting that it mustn’t be easy.
Excellent point about a little-known fact in the fashion industry.
Congrats on your two year anniversary!! Quitting smoking is difficult, especially in the fashion industry, so I commend you. I quit smoking about three months ago. I started many years ago, and have quit and started many times. Each time I started it up, the harder quitting would become. Three months ago I got a horrible sinus infection that I could not smoke through, and that is how I quit. I’m never going back. The weight that is gained after a person quits is only temporary. Great post!
I quit smoking nearly a year ago, just after i fell pregnant. I find I miss the social aspect of it a lot, but I definitely don’t miss the smell of stale smoke in my hair and clothes.
Congrats on being 2 years smoke free in such a cigarette obsessed industry!
great post glendy!
i just love this, because i also had a two year anniversary recently, and quite honestly in hindsight, all the reasons i had in my head for smoking were idiotic.
1. it’s relaxing. bs. nicotine is a stimulant… and i wasn’t relaxed smoking out in the cold rain, nor was i relaxed when i couldn’t escape the stench.
2. it keeps me thin. i didn’t gain one pound when i quit. i did gain weight because i stopped going to the gym, my previous obsession before blogging.
3. within one week i noticed my skin looked more brilliant than before.
after the age of 35… you can basically see if a person had smoked. it’s on their skin, deep wrinkles…leathery texture start to form…
so if you’re vain, you’ll quit. if you’re health conscious you’ll quit, and if you’d rather buy nice shoes, you’d quit.
I really enjoyed reading your post! I like that you will help others with this informational blog post. You look so chic in your photo!
Wow, this was really insightful. I really enjoyed reading this, because while I am not a smoker, I am tempted to pick up the dirty habit because it DOES seem so glamorous. Watch any classic movie & you will see these gorgeous women, in beautiful gowns, smoking away ever so effortlessly. I've always admired that sort of thing, but I know that it's a facade.
Thank you for bringing me back to down to reality. I did a blog post dedicated to smoking once, & while reading this, I could definitely relate.
PS, you are absolutely stunning! As well as I found your blog through the blogger spotlight for IFB. You most certainly deserve it. :]
Wow, this was really insightful. I really enjoyed reading this, because while I am not a smoker, I am tempted to pick up the dirty habit because it DOES seem so glamorous. Watch any classic movie & you will see these gorgeous women, in beautiful gowns, smoking away ever so effortlessly. I've always admired that sort of thing, but I know that it's a facade.
Thank you for bringing me back to down to reality. I did a blog post dedicated to smoking once, & while reading this, I could definitely relate.
PS, you are absolutely stunning! As well as I found your blog through the blogger spotlight for IFB. You most certainly deserve it. :]
Hi guys, I have been bombed with a crazy project for the Fall runways and have not been able to get back to all of you, thank you so much for your support and I am glad some of you can relate :)
Congratulations on the 2 years! wow. I was never a smoker, (thankfully) I was too broke to buy them as a teen so never got into it.