Scrutiny of the use of models in fashion has intensified of late, building pressure on the industry’s perceived standards of beauty. Demand has grown for a more diverse use of models, representing women of all shapes, races and ages in magazines and on the catwalk. Change may be slow but it looks like the industry’s finally waking up.
At figleaves.com it’s also why we’re so keen to find beautiful fuller figure and DD+ models like Chloe and Violet. We think our new loungewear model Andrea is the perfect example of someone who’s slender but happy and healthy with it.
Andrea in figleaves Loungewear Chloe in Oola Violet in Midnight Grace
What started with the Dove Campaign for Real Beauty is now a commonly considered feature of many designers and brand campaigns. This year’s London Fashion Week saw inclusive catwalk shows from PPQ and Mark Fast, but in some ways it’s surprising to think that their use of a wider range of models is still seen by fashion insiders as shocking or a statement.
figleaves favourite How to Look Good Naked features models in their sixties and now Calvin Klein are hitting the streets in a bid to find the next big thing in their 9countries9men competition. Witnessing the ways in which popular pressure is changing the fashion industry is exhilarating; it’s great to see how the issues we believe in are reflected by consumers too.
In the 1980’s The Ford Supermodel of the Year competition launched as a means of identifying new talent for the fashion industry. 50 countries hold national regionals and the winners from each country go on to compete for the Supermodel of the Year title, winning a contract with the agency who have previously represented Twiggy, Elle Macpherson and the self styled ‘first’ supermodel, Janice Dickenson.
Since its inception winners have gone on to model for Christian Lacroix, Diane Von Furstenburg and Oscar de la Renta. The 2008 winner Kang Seung-Hyun became the S/S’09 face of Lacoste, and Chanel Iman, who took 3rd place in 2006, was the most booked model on Milan’s catwalks this autumn having previously walked for a plethora of designers including Marchesa, Marc Jacobs and Yves Saint Laurent.
As we read about this competition we were interested to note that candidates should be aged between 16-21. While we’re excited to see new British talent, we can’t help but feel that there are a lot of gorgeous women out there who could add even more beauty to the campaigns of our favourite designers, regardless of their age. We truly support the multitude of competitions that take place to find new faces for fashion but it’s far more interesting to watch designers who take a fresh approach to diversity in beauty.
This year’s Ford Supermodel of the Year competition will hold an open casting for the UK candidate on 23 October in Grosvenor Place, London, with the winner being crowned in November.
Dear Amy
I wonder where you got the idea for this article?
Its not nice to copy you know!!!!
Posted by: www | October 08, 2009 at 04:59 PM
Hi www, Amy was inspired by topics on our facebook fan page & her favourite shows America's Next Top Model and How To Look Good Naked (in particular Gokette Ashley). On blogleaves & in our community we like to dicuss topics that we think are important to our fans and followers. As I'm sure you're aware, this fashion month has brought old debates about perceptions of beauty in fashion back to the fore. Is there anything you'd like to add to this debate or is there a particular post/article you had in mind?
Posted by: Sophie | October 09, 2009 at 02:46 PM