Marie Claire's annual November body issue

Explains Aspasia Karras, Marie Claire South Africa editor, "According to statistics, two out of every three women are unhappy with their bodies and weight. Most women wish they were skinnier. So often the media is accused of perpetuating the body-beautiful image, and this month we have decided to address this issue."

Apart from articles addressing the body question, six advertising agencies were asked to conceptualise a poster campaign to communicate the concept of 'Love Your Body': Ogilvy Cape Town, King James, The Jupiter Drawing Room Cape Town, M&C Saatchi Abel, TBWA\Hunt\Lascaris and Canvas Lifestyle.

The front cover, featuring home-grown international supermodel Candice Swanepoel has been a particularly controversial topic as many question the congruency between it and the "Love your Body" campaign and articles. While the campaign urges women to love their body's just the way they are, the sultry image of Swanepoel, who is also labelled "World's hottest model" on the cover, does not seem to reiterate this ideal.

Russell James exclusively photographed Swanepoel for Marie Claire South Africa in New York.

For more:

• Official website: www.marieclaire.co.za
  
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/MarieClaireSA
  
• Twitter: @marieclaire_sa
  
• Twitter Search: #MCLoveYourBody or Marie Claire love your body