Eating
Disorders
"Save Mary Kate" T-Shirts Spark Controversy
 (August 11, 2004) -- Teen actress Mary-Kate Olsen's
battle with anorexia has inspired a controversial new line of 'Save
Mary-Kate' T-shirts.
The unlikely fashion items have been launched by fledging design company
Randy and Moss, whose owners say they will give 20 per cent of profits from
sales of the tops to America's National
Eating Disorders Association (NEDA).
Randy and Moss co-founder Melissa Moss says: "One night we were working on
designs and reading magazines that featured Mary-Kate's eating disorder."
She and partner Randy Bol, both 25, came up with a design and had the
t-shirts ready within a week.
They're now being sold on the duo's website savemarykate.blogspot.com, whose
rallying motto is: "Together we can do this. One t-shirt at a time."
Bol sketched the picture of Mary-Kate, twin sister of Ashley, complete with
protruding ribs and a disproportionately large head - an image some fans have
branded "grotesque".
Moss counters: "Anorexia
is not a beautiful thing."
While the shirts have been selling well, Olsen's representative Michael
Pagnotta and NEDA are far from thrilled.
Pagnotta says: "I'm not sure what Mary-Kate needs saving from."
He is quick to point out that the shirts are not endorsed by Olsen and
suggests that the twins' company, Dualstar, may look into a possible copyright-
infringement claim.
Moss says if NEDA declines to accept the donations, she and Bol will find
another charity.
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