The modeling industry is one of the most criticised industry of our generation, yet still remains one of the most important factors of our consumer society. A majority of people feel it should have less influence than it has, or that it should be stopped once and for all with backing from a number of issues involving it. The issue I have with the modelling industry is the 'idealistic image' of the human body it conveys, and this is an issue many people obsess over. As a model is defined as something that is used to shape or portray a certain aspect of society, whether that be a certain fashion, sport or lifestyle, people feel that the modelling industry should employ a broader range of healthy bodies. Not to just use the petite, the plus size and the 'normal', but all the in-betweens. And this I fully agree with, because if a model is designed to represent our society then it should represent the variety and differences it has.
However, there is some loose criticism thrown on the modelling industry, such as the following... "Models are Objects... your body is a prop that shallow people use to make other people feel bad and then spend too much money on things." If anything models are objects to Capitalism, and their bodies are props to capitalist people to use in making fellow capitalist people spend more money in the consumer society that we have built ourselves. I find it ironic that people have this sort of criticism against models, but they are the people who fuel the conspicuous competition that prioritises making and spending money. Buying that top from your favourite clothing website, the top is shown on a model, you like the way the top looked on the model, you want the top to look that way on you. Choosing your new sofa in a catalogue, there is a picture of the sofa shown with a family sitting on it, you like how happy the family look with that sofa, you want your family to look as happy as that when you buy that sofa - that family are also models. Despite whatever your views are on the matter, you choose to buy into this scheme, and models are purely for advertising, and our society is built on advertisement and propaganda - so we can't throw dirt on a model for their successful persuasion. "Models are pretentious beings, who indulge themselves too much with their looks and narcissism" People fail to realise that appearance will always be one of the most significant influential factors in the way of which we approach life. We see with our eyes, read with our eyes, eat with our eyes - judge with our eyes. Although it may not be the most ideal way of approaching, but it's unchangeable because we will always see before we view, and viewing has a much more deeper approach. When regarding narcissism and being pretentious, I see no fault in loving oneself. Those who look down on people who love themselves are usually the ones with the insecurities, and it is perfectly normal to have insecurity, as should be loving oneself even with that insecurity. It is something to be encouraged, to be confident in ones skin. Because confidence in one's skin contributes to confidence in oneself and one's abilities. On the other hand, this criticism is very one-sided; to not judge a book by it's cover is one of our most profound morals, yet to call a model narcissistic from the way they pose in a photo is very judgmental. Since when has a photo told the whole story? If the product contained direct speech from the model listing their insecurities then that would be a different story. "Modelling is all about beauty. But there is no beauty in modelling." Again, a criticism based on a one-sided opinion. I feel modelling in the correct sense is very artistic and very influential, especially with certain model statements that act in portraying a strong message to those who view it. For example, such as the model statement "Black Mirror" done by model Deddeh Howard, who went out to improve modelling with her powerful movement on diversity in the industry. Something which turned out to be very beautiful, artistic and influential, and all shown through a series of modelling photos. "Models are brainwashed. Industries need to look past the looks, and show a person's brains and abilities." Finally, there is the stereotype that presents models as mind-numbed and vacant and as lacking in talent outside of posing for a photo, but there is more than enough proof against this. Take Cara Delevingne as an example: a very beautiful woman and talented actress. A well-known strong feminist and appreciated for her down-to-earth witty persona. It's also proven that she has stamina, with no problem in voicing her views, especially with her criticism of industry she's involved in in attempt to build awareness and make a change. There we go, a model with far more than looks and even brains. Therefore, like most industries, modelling has its downsides but faces criticisms and stereotypes that are not fair. People do not always appreciate the fact that some models actually enjoy what they are doing, but this is too easily mistaken for negative self-indulgence and for being pretentious. And despite criticised for doing so, it remains a large aspect of our society and the way it functions.
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And it always will be. As products of the late 20th century or the 21st century, we thrive on the changes our world has experienced through time. What we see as some societal amelioration to be proud of and propagandise to kick-start further changes, while we explore a time in the mid-20th century where we discriminated a race and a religion different to ours for being destructive, so in response we acted destructively towards them. We entertain ourselves with 18th century literature which outlines sexual double standards that lay between the two genders and how an unmarried woman would receive condemnation for partaking in sexual interaction, by force or by will, while a man watches flourishing in his high status because he did the same thing as that woman but did not experience the same consequence. Or we study that time where we killed our king in fear he would force his beliefs on everyone else, but maybe if his beliefs were the same as ours, he would not have experienced the same fate. We look back on our history, and rightly so, we think we made those changes to ensure that all that inequality and hypocrisy will not remain in our society today. But were those changes really progress or was it just adaptations? Because after all, like the philosopher David Hull once said, “hypocrisy is the lubricant of our society” and in my opinion, it always will be.
In a modified education system, which is now accessible to all that make up our society, we ridicule students for “acting dumb” as it is unattractive and unprofessional to absent oneself from their knowledge and understanding. So why do we look down upon a student for “looking down upon us” because they think they are smarter than us and essentially try harder than us? Because it is seen as unattractive and unprofessional to embrace your knowledge and understanding just because it makes other people feel stupid. In an occupation, where men and women now have equal opportunities and ideals, why do we prioritise our respect towards a woman more than we would towards a man? Is it out of fear that we will be pointed out for “disrespecting a woman” or is it that some feminists are possibly taking it too far? Because if some were solemnly about equal rights for both genders, why is the fact that the term ‘feminism’ is marked by only the female gender not a disputed problem? In a media that idealises the exceptionalism of our country and confidence among our people, why do we frown upon people for appreciating or prioritising their appearance just because it must mean they love themselves and make others feel inadequate? Well, why can’t we love ourselves? As we tell people with broken confidence that they should love themselves and embrace themselves for who they are. Because “you must look good” and “you must remain confident” because otherwise “it reflects bad on the business”. In a new wave of fashion that sees the beauty in all different styles and people of all different shapes and sizes, why do we feel the need to point out the differences in a person? Because we tell ourselves that difference is okay and being unique is a good thing, yet we refer to the beautiful shape of a human being who does not quite match our interpretation of slim and petite as ‘plus size’? So, if difference is a natural and essentially an expected thing in our society, why do we distance people in the modelling and fashion industry because they are different to the expected? Hypocrisy will never be something we can avoid, because despite the advancements and changes we make in our society, or the amount we preach over inequality or change our mannerisms, we can never be a part of a totally equal society. Although history will always prove to us that those changes we made were necessary, it cannot allow us to be fair in all aspects. Because at the end of the day, it is out of our hands to change - hypocrisy is the lubricant of our society and it always will be. |
Jem DuttonStudent Blogger. Archives
April 2018
CategoriesAll Current Affairs Lifestyle Narrative Journalism Opinion Articles Personal |