When one thinks of fashion, tall thin women with flawless complexion and perfect hair and makeup usually comes into mind. This is because we usually associate fashion to the models we see on the various forms of the mass media such as on the television and in magazines. This is due to the selection process where the stimuli selects information due to the frequency of thin models we see on fashion programmes in the media. Thus, we are influenced by the media and the perception we have of beautiful people are the perfect people we see in the media.
However, recently in an American magazine glamour, it published an article with a photo of a nude model which was unlike any of the typical stick-thin women one associates modeling with. Instead, the model was a woman with bigger thighs and also, a fleshier stomach. The article was well received by the public and many gave positive feedbacks about showing a woman who was comfortable in her own skin despite not looking like any of the usual models we commonly see in the media.
"Anyone who thinks that this model is unhealthy should have their head examined. She's tall, has an athletic build and a bit of a tummy. End of story,"
"A real woman who looks like a person,"
These feedbacks showed that people are becoming more receptive of the less than perfect models as they know at the back of their minds, that this is what women in real life look like. This would set a good example for girls who in their bid to seek for that perfect model looking figure, develop eating disorders. Despite the increase in eating disorder rates, we must also not fail to recognize that obesity rates have also been increasing due to the affluent lifestyle of people.
Therefore we must maintain a healthy lifestyle of eating right and exercising so as to not stray to the two extremes. But most importantly, we must be confident in our own skin and be proud of what we have.
MORE REAL WOMEN ON THE MAGAZINES PLEASE!
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/lifestylenews/view/1002565/1/.html
This topic was also mentioned on September 13, 2006 by the CNN.com. The article was about the world's first ban on overly thin models at a top-level fashion show in Madrid. In my own opinion, it is the quality that matters, not size. Consumers, like me, will be more likely to buy a product if the organiser projects an image of beauty and health, rather than a waif-like look. So now, girls will not be constantly bombarded with the message that they need to be super-skinny to be sexy or to be "in".
ReplyDeleteNew age models are getting fatter than supposedly they would be. I think it is a good sign just like what you brought up, it prevents people from getting eating disorders. With such images on magazines, female readers will be less weight conscious and may in turn be more health conscious. Models no longer have to starve and end up like malnutrition victims. It is good for both the health of the readers and the models!
ReplyDeleteI believe in healthy, not skinny or fat! So much as we want 'real' women out there, we don't want horrifically skinny or fat ones. Well eating disorders are on the rise, a healthy body image should be projected into the minds of girls since young.
ReplyDeleteHello!
ReplyDeleteWhat is perfect and what is not? Who has the power to define it? On what basis should we follow other people's perspective?
Models or mannequins (as they were once called) are used to present the work pieces of fashion designers on stage. That's why they have a criteria to be of a certain body shape and size so that it will be easier for the designers to make a full range of clothes of the same measurements.
However, as the media becomes more influential, the audience are swayed to the opinions that stick-like figures are "beautiful" as the models are put in the spotlight for the clothes that they rae wearing. Thus, the craze of the "perfect" figure came about.
I feel that everyone is beautiful regradless of how they look. Humans are unique creatures, of which nobody looks identical (jus check out our fingerprints). Like what liyin said, jus go and listen to the song "Everythhing is beautiful" by Ray Stevens. :)
I do agree with you that we need more real models in magazines. This is because these magazines would most likely influence teenage girls, who are most vulnerable to eating disorders, the most.
ReplyDeleteWith the girls looking up to the models as their role models, showing normal sized women would certainly prevent more girls from falling prey to the images of "the seemingly healthy women" that the media portrays.
By showing the postive reception by the readers also confirms the fact that women will like to see realistic figures which they can relate to rather than far-fetch stick thin figures.
Therefore, I am all for REAL SIZED MODELS too!!!
Heyyy!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE this post! haha. I believe today's soceity has placed far too much focus on women's image, so much so that all we are obsessed with is how we look like. It is great to see how the response was so great for this magazine. For once, we can actually see people accepting not so perfect figures. And that is what ot means to be a woman. It shouldnt be about the numbers but about embracing one's self(:
Hi
ReplyDeleteI think this post is quite interesting because it is not everyday that we see people accepting women in their own shapes and sizes. however, if that is the case, why do runway models still have to be a certain size and height? maybe the message hasnt gotten into those designers heads huh?
hello!
ReplyDeleteI think it is nice to know that too. With more people accepting themselves as who they are, it would make people not so self conscious. I didnt think it would be that well received but I guess people are quite unpredicatble people.
It is a nice article and is about time to re-define beauty. Of course beauty is to the eye of the beholder.But more effort and emphasis should be highlighted by all that beauty need not to be thin and skiny but fleshy and healthy. But definitely not fat and sloppy.
ReplyDeleteInteresting article you have there.
ReplyDeleteEven though I am a guy and would be less likely affected by such images, I do feel that showing real women would create a postive role model for younger girls to follow. This is especially since there are so many cases of eating disorder cases.
By showing the normal women, girls' view of beauty can be shaped towards the positive and that they do not have to be stick thin to be beautiful.
i feel that fashion has taken a turn towards the postive side where models need not be stick thin in order to be selected for modelling stints. This shows the changing patterns of beauty and that hopefully one day, all that the magazines do show are only pictures of REAL, HEALTHY WOMEN!!!
ReplyDeleteCHEERS!!
It is happy to see the huge reception and positive comments given by women to the magazine. This form of postive sanction not only encourages more of these models but also approves of their existence.
ReplyDeleteMaybe in the none-too-distant future, instead of models in the industry, the new models would be everyday women on the road showing that anyone and everyone is good enough to be a model.
I feel that by accepting these models, we can change our perception of models that they no longer have to be stick-thin. THat stereotype has to be changed that models can come in all shapes and sizes.
ReplyDeleteThis would certainly change the "barbie-doll" view of beauty and accept other models which do not go along the norms of what we perceive to be beauty today.
REAL BEAUTY.. in light of this issue, i feel that even though women may want to see more of such real models, it is impossible to have many of such models. This is because magazines run on the advertising fees of advertisers. Thus, whatever is portrayed is a reflection of what the advertisement wants to show and not the public. Therefore, I feel that despite this photo being receptive, it is difficult to see this as a trend that will stay.
ReplyDeletewhile showing real women brings us back to reality of how women should be like, it does not change the stereotype of what a pretty women should look like. Guys (me alike), would rather stick to the previous stereotype of women. I mean, we have been seeing such images of beautiful women being stick thin. So why change this belief?
ReplyDelete