I understand this, and, in fact, feel some of the indignation myself. The women photographed look unhealthy and unhappy. But, more significantly, I don't think magazine editors and fashion photographers realize how ridiculous they seem to the rest of us. Tim Robbins and Julia Roberts play American journalists who don't dress well, but have lots of sex because they're forced to share a hotel room and don't have any clothes. Once the two are dressed, however, their ability to relate dissolves.
Famous models flit in and out of the film, too.
Although she is a sweet person, she spends her whole French vacation shopping. This movie is perfect in its creation, but flawed in its execution. In other words, so quintessentially does Robert Altman satirize the fashion industry that we couldn't care less about the designers, models, reporters, and editors who try so desperately to keep women obsessed with their looks. On the other hand, viewers who are easily taken in by superficialities probably won't even get the satire, so they'll miss the point of the movie entirely. Meanwhile, there are the rest of us, bombarded by the message sent by these vain and conceited people.