EmRata's New Book Is Available For Pre-Order
'My Body' will explore what it means to be a woman today.
The book, titled ‘My Body’, hopes to reflect on themes around the female body, consent and the experience of being a woman.
It comes after the model’s essay in the New York Times, ‘Buying Myself Back’, went viral, sparking discussions about image, ownership and exploitation in the industry. In the piece, Emily reflects on the realization that she had fewer rights to her own image than she had expected.
Amidst stories of having to purchase a painting of herself, and a paparazzo suing her for posting a shot of his on her Instagram, we get Emrata’s most harrowing tale. It is, of course, the encounter between her and photographer Jonathon Leder.
Then a young and unknown model, Ratajkowski had agreed to an unpaid shoot for a magazine – not an uncommon practise in the industry. Ratajkowski now says it was once of the worst experiences of her career, alleging in ‘Buying Myself Back’ that Leder plied her with alcohol and sexually harassed her. Years later, Leder would use those photos, some of them nude and previously unpublished, for a photography book. He called it, quite simply, ‘Emily Ratajkowski’. Horrified and outraged, Ratajkowski sought to block its’ publication. Her efforts were in vain. The model quickly learned she would not be paid for her participation, nor would her consent be sought. Leder, in spite of everything, continues to profit from her image. He even went on to put two more books together, all entirely focused on a model who considers it a violation.
Ratajkowski may not have been able to stop the publication of the photos, but she is refusing to let her voice be silenced. Lately, she's become a common figure in political and social activism, campaigning for Bernie Sanders and fighting for women's rights. Ratajkowski is taking back control.
You can pre-order 'My Body' here.
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