Stella Tennant fronts the cover of Vogue Italia’s September 2011 issue, lensed by Steven Meisel.

The truly beautiful, high fashion image is inspired by Ethel Granger (1905-1982) who tightened herself into corsets to please her husband.

Ethel is described as a revolutionary women, who enjoyed indulging her husband’s tastes, including piercings along with her record-smashing 33 centimeters of waist.

Is it coincidence that 60 years later in our women’s rights world, Ethel’s record-setting waist measurement still stands?

Artist Rebecca Massey

Metamorphosis by Rebecca Massey, via Vogue Italia Photo VogueChange is necessary to evolve, even though it’s frightening ~ Rebecca Massey (website)

Next: New research on media models, body image, self-perceptions among obese people.