Body Positivity and Diversity in the Fashion Industry

by: Alyssa del Rosario

Fashion modeling has evolved since the late 1800s and certain beauty standards have changed throughout the years. In reference to an article, “A Quick History of Fashion Modeling,” written by Vanessa Helmer, she states,  “modeling was primarily a French term used to describe people posing for a portrait.”  The word “model” came from a Middle French word “modelle.”  Around that time, people would pose for painted portraits and would be featured on advertisements everywhere.  Before incorporating live models, mannequins would be integrated to model different styles of clothing.  “Charles Fredrick Worth, who is considered to be the “father of haute couture,” had his wife model his designs in the early 1850s” (Helmer).  His wife, Marie Augustine Vernet, was thought as the first fashion model.  Since then, modeling was starting to become a profession that spread throughout the world, which included one of the first modeling agencies would be Ford Models.  Ford Models was established in 1946 and is still continued to this day.  For most people, this is considered as a profession, rather than a hobby.  Helmer also mentioned, “being a successful model must meant being known within the fashion community.” Recently, there were established rules on what models should look like and there were certain standards to follow.  As the years progress, body positivity and diversity were starting to be more common.

Models create a positive impact towards advertisement and fame, but there is a different perspective that shows the dark side of modeling in the fashion industry.  In an article, “Models Speak Out on the Ugly Side of the Fashion Industry,” which was written by Shivani Persad, talks about the dark side of modeling in the fashion industry.  The pages on magazines and billboard advertisements characterizes a perfect description of what a model is but there is so much more that we do not know behind this.  There was a lack of diversity and body images that poses a problem for others.  Aside from those two problems, there is so much more.  I narrowed down my focus on body image and diversity because I feel like it is important to address this particular issue.

Modeling in the fashion industry depicted that every model, which are mostly women, has to be “perfect.”  In the article, “9 Revealing Confessions About the Modeling Industry From Those Who Experience It First-Hand,” Saltzman stated, “Body positivity and inclusivity has a long way to go in the modeling world.”  For this particular career, women go through physical and emotional trauma that adjusts their own way of life.   This causes the added and unnecessary pressure for them in order to be “accepted” by a specific agency.  Metaphorically speaking, this sounds like a black and white effect where everything seems to be a cliché.  A touch of color in this reality would shed some light where imperfections can change the perspective of others in the fashion industry.  Models, like Ashley Graham are proving the world that body positivity in the fashion industry is limited based on sizing among individuals, especially when this comes to women. Perfection only lies within you, not the given feedback by other people. For example, throughout elementary school, I would be bullied for how I looked and for how short I was.  Even though, I was not a model, I learned how mean people can be based on certain standards that were influenced by others.  I knew that I was never insecure about myself because I have learned to overcome this through my peers and friends. Self-love is important and it takes time to accept for who you are, especially when it comes to being insecure about yourself. Perfection seems to be an image that we all have to look like and follow.  Regardless of body size, no one is “perfect” and there is no such thing.

 In addition to this topic, diversity is always important in the fashion industry. There was a lack of diversity for models in the fashion industry.  Allison Kirste to conducted an interview to Justine Biticon to discuss on the topic of diversity and what it is like being a POC model.  Justine Biticon is a half-Filipino and half-Mexican model that is rising to the top of the fashion industry.  In this interview, Justine points out, “It’s sad that the industry believes that their sorry excuse for diversity are people of light pigment with European features.” (Kirste)  This was oftentimes seen as a form of discrimination practices to people of color and other races, as well.  The industry feels that they “follow” a strict set of guidelines that would reject an individual’s natural and true identity.  The more representation of diversity in the fashion industry will verify that younger girls and women should not be ashamed for their features, skin color, and racial identity.  Diversity is one of the most important topics that should be sought out on.  The growing market in the fashion world is continually evolving.  The market for models of all sizes, race, and shape is no longer being discriminated. Even though this is not yet completely nonexistent, this shows that there are more positive influences that promotes this change.  This is slowly evolving to prevent the discrimination of other models. 

 

Works Cited: 

Helmer, Vanessa. “A Quick History of Fashion Modeling” The Balance, 31 Dec. 2017,

www.thebalance.com/a-quick-history-of-fashion-modeling-2379382
Kirste, Allison. “Justine Biticon Talks Success, Self-Love and Representation.” Affinity

Magazine, Affinity,

www.affinitymagazine.us/2017/02/25/justine-biticon-talks-success-self-love-and-repres

entation

Persad, Shivani. “Models Speak Out on the Ugly Side of the Fashion Industry.” Verily, Verily Magazine , 7 Sept. 2017, 

                  www.verilymag.com/2017/09/new-york-times-models-speak-out-on-objectification  

Saltzman, Stephanie. “9 Revealing Confessions About the Modeling Industry From Those

Who Experience It First-Hand.” Fashionista, Fashionista, 29 Mar. 2017,  
www.fashionista.com/2017/03/model-fashion-problems-treatment-abuse-health   

  

Pictures:

http://www.flare.com/fashion/ashley-graham-wings  

https://hypebae.com/2017/11/justine-mae-biticon-model-interview