Former international top model Maayan Keret will deliver a talk entitled, “Media Impact on the Female Body Image,”  at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 5 in the Holmes Lounge at Washington University. 

A successful model at only 17 years old, Keret was featured in top fashion magazines such as Vogue, Elle and Marie Claire. As she worked with leading designers such as Yves Saint Laurent, Marc Jacobs, Calvin Klein, and Donna Karan, she became increasingly aware of the demands (spoken and unspoken) to shed weight.  Keret went on to co-found Your Runway, which offers body image workshops and lectures for women and teenage girls.  She is a frequent spokesperson, known for her non-traditional perspectives on how the female body should be represented in Israel’s media.  

She wrote and published “The Beautiful Women,” a non-fiction book with real-life narratives of models and actresses who have struggled with eating disorders and body image issues. Keret is on the front lines in creating a healthier space and lifestyle within Israel’s modeling community.

In her presentation, Keret will speak about the female body and how perception is affected by society and culture.  She will share how one can reclaim control of the female image through one’s personal actions.

Keret’s talk is free and open to the public; a reception will follow. The event is organized by Hillel at Washington University with support from Hillel International and the Jewish United Fund’s Israel Education Center and is co-sponsored by several additional university departments and student organizations. 

Holmes Lounge is located in Ridgley Hall just south of Brookings Hall.  Parking is available in the surface lots north of Brookings Hall off of Skinker Boulevard in any yellow-designated parking spot.  For more information, contact WashU Hillel Executive Director Jackie Levey at [email protected].