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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