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“Plus Size” Models

July 11, 2017

The ideal female figure has changed and this is how…

Below is a series of shocking statistics about the average size and weight of models has changed over the last two decades. This will raise awareness to many about how todays society views the ideal female figure and image, and remind us when there as a time when models were not expected to be stick thin and bones.

 

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“Most runway models meet the Body Mass Index physical criteria for Anorexia.”
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“Years ago, models averaged between a size 12 – 18.”
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“These days the majority of “plus-size” models on agency boards are between a size 10 and 14.”
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“50% of women wear a size 14 or larger, but most outlets only cater to sizes 14 and smaller.”

 

Today, some modelling agencies cater to “plus-size” models but not enough to actually make a change in the industry. As today, big well-known brands and shopping outlets showcased “straight-size” women to model “plus-size” clothing. Unfortunately, brands like Athlete and Fashion Nova have been caught out in the act, also shops like Top Shop have been criticised for not selling “plus-size” clothing.

From personal experience, I range from a size 10 – 12 (being 6ft tall)  in clothing and have been told I am bigger than the average size model. This was a real eye opener to the fashion and modelling industry and how strict they were for models to be the “right size”.

Ignoring issues like photoshoots that are only available to models that are a size 8 and therefore eliminating the possibility of using “plus-size” models. If we continue to ignore and rely on others to decide what we want to see, change will never happen. No one should starve themselves or hate their body because they don’t look like the unrealistic and photoshopped images on our advertisements.

There needs to be diversity to demonstrate and embrace a more realistic, natural and positive attitude towards our bodies. To especially show young girls and women that not everyone’s body is the same, some women are curvier, some are skinnier, some are shorter and some are taller. There is beauty in all.

 

Models of Colour

July 4, 2017

My name is Paris Laban, I am a Leo but also have strong Sagittarius characteristics as well. But enough about who I am, what is more important is what I stand for and what I can do. One of my passions is modelling, but in this industry there are problems and changes to be made for this industry to be equal, among all the different models. Fashion is art and art is never racist, so why are the major designers?

I am fully aware there is a lack of diversity in the fashion and modelling industry, are you? There are many beautiful black models and they are not represented the way they should be.

I have read and heard so many stories from black models (majority runway models) that face some type of discrimination in the fashion industry. From not getting booked for jobs as designers have already hired a model with their “look”, they get told,

“We love your look, but we’ve already got a black model.”tumblr_ok40eplOn31rtrxuao1_500.jpg.png

The little things (that actually have a great impact) like having to bring their own make up and even doing their own make-up, because the make-up artists the designers hired don’t have the range of different shades of make-up to perform on black models. Another is hair, many stylists have no experience working with black models, therefore have no idea how to work with the texture of black models hair.

This is a huge struggle for black models as most miss out on opportunities for work, as simply because the stylists couldn’t handle their texture of hair. Although straight hair extensions became a solution for some and even shaving their heads, as a result of getting jobs and protecting their hair from stylists with no experience with their texture of hair.

Even the supermodel Naomi Campbell, recalled at the beginning of her career she encountered with the same issues as of today, and after all these years later, its disappointing to hear that models of colour are still having to go through this. As a model, it’s a responsibility to be prepared for anything, even when the stylists aren’t, but for a model of colour, you have to be more prepared than others.

Racial diversity is not only a great problem in the fashion industry, but also in commercials and advertisements. There are hardly any black designers, the runways are almost completely whitewashed and it’s puzzling that some people think that blackface is stylish!…

 

If they can do it, I can do it.

Models of colour should not be sorry for what they look like, where they come from and who they are, it is time for the fashion industry to treat and see everyone as equals.

There are some models using their voices to encourage the industry to be inclusive of racial diversity. This applies to everything from casting models of color to having resources they need for shows, like hair and makeup. But there needs to be more voices to speak up in order for things to change…

Below is a video on the topic that was highlighted in a satirical and enlightening way, but it will definitely make you think seriously about the diversity in the fashion industry….