20.7.13

THE UGLY SIDE

There are hundreds, if not thousands of girls who dream to become models. To pose in cute dresses and walk in heels, in order to feel glamours and loved. They watch mainstream TV shows like 'Keeping Up With The Kardashians' and notice how Kendall and Kylie Jenner also aspire to model. The show glamorises and sugar-coats what the modelling industry is actually like, showcasing the girls modelling for bumble-gum brand Sherri Hill. These girls fall into the category of 'Faux Fashionista', due to their basic understanding of fashion and their imbecilic belief on fashion; because they know who Cara Delevinge and Jordan Dunn are, they also understand fashion.  However, knowing fashion labels and knowing fashion are two completely different things. 


The two sisters, playing around for a Sherri Hill campaign.
Heidi Klum once said "In fashion, one day you're in. And the next day you're out.", these girls have to prepare for this. Models must be thick-skinned, your body is under the microscope 24/7, every flaw or imperfection, will be found. And it won't stop there, I've said it before and I'll say it again, the industry is cut-throat. Although it's not advertised, no-one cares. These models must remain professional and calm whilst taking critiques.

Racism is also a growing problem for the industry, it's always been brushed away, hidden and unspoken as designers and casting directors shy away from the topic. However, earlier this year, casting director James Scully spoke out. He states "I feel the Dior cast is just so pointedly white that it feels deliberate. I watch that show and it bothers me - I almost can't even concentrate on the clothes because of the cast." Taking a look at other shows, that season, it proves his point. The finales of Gucci and Saint Laurent mostly feature Caucasian models. Scully also proposed the ideas of tokenism, where a couple of other ethnic models are used here and there, so the house avoids accusations of racism, such as Calvin Klein.


Finale of Saint Laurent Fall 2013, despite Xiao Wen Ju, are there any other ethnic girls?
I feel as though certain television shows, should take into consideration the image they are portraying to young girls (and boys). Perhaps they are unaware of the power and influence they have on young minds, however it is very effective. Avoiding heavy emphasis on a certain topic and offering a wider, broader perspective.

In no way is this a bashful post to the modelling industry, as they've created some of the most beautiful women - Natasha Poly, Magdalena Frackowiak, Bianca Balti, Fei Fei Sun, Vlada Roslyakova...it doesn't stop there. I hope this post is deemed as a reminder for the model aspirer's, "Is this the right career, for YOU?"






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21 comments

  1. I've always dreamed to be a model but didn't know these things. Very interesting topic! :)

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  2. Wow. I never thought of it this way!
    Amazing post! <3

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  3. I support everything you wrote, we think that being a model is just wear nice clothes, jewerly, shoes, etc. But the truth is that it isn't, there are so many things behind all that. As a "requirement" to be a model is to be skinny, i think major companies should take on healthier girls to runways and campaings, so all the girls who aspire to be a model could have a real idea about how a real time girl is or should be. Great topic!

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    1. And I agree with everything here! I'm glad you can understand the point that I am making, I hope it was clear!

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  4. I agree, out of all the thousands of girls who want to model, only a small selection of the beautiful, unique girls will make it far enough. I also think that people have to understand that models will always be skinny, and the majority will be white - I'm in no way being racist, just pointing out the fact that the industry most likely will not be changing any time soon. Also, I agree with you about Kendall and Kylie - they will never be seen seriously as high fashion models in the industry

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    1. I understand Ola, I hope young girls can too. Perhaps it'll get better with age? Thanks for the comment :-) Always means a lot

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  5. this is a very ineresting post! didnt know all these things.

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  6. That was really thoughtful, and I think it's really good that you brought this up, because it makes other people think too! -sur-unetoile

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    1. Thank you, I like to read all your comments and opinions :-)

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  7. Fernanda - marcjvcobs21 July 2013 at 21:40

    First of all, Victor I love your writing! You obviously know what is what and who is who and I like that about people who like fashion because as you wrote there are many faux fashionistas but at least they know who Gisele is, right? I hope they do. And second, I think this 'theme' of writing is something most people don't know about they sa designers always hire '"ethnic" models for example Gisele... well yes she is brazilian but away from that is she any different than most models? Ok this comment is getting out of hand! Love your piece!

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    1. Thanks for your opinion, I'm glad we agree on the same topic!

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  8. Fernanda - marcjvcobs21 July 2013 at 21:41

    Oh and I think Kendall and Kylie try to hard and will get nowhere in the industry oops.

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  9. Sorry it took so long for me to get to read this but absolutely great post. This has really opened up my (and I'm sure others) eyes to the reality of the modeling aspect of the fashion industry.

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  10. This article is amazing, victor! I totally agree with you about kendall and kylie. Yes they're beautiful but i just cant see them as models...

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