This is It

The purpose of my blog was to look in depth into the way supermodels have influenced society’s views on body image and fashion styles. Throughout my blog I discussed the trends past and present that have been made by various supermodels, along with the ideal body image that without a doubt made its mark.

The ‘birth’ of the Supermodel has launched the modelling industry into the limelight, allowing the world to get to know and idolise these young women. As the world of the Supermodel grew, so did the effect they had on young women. They became idols who were recognised globally, thus using themselves to selves as a selling point. They sold their body, their hair, their style, the trend and ultimately themselves.

This is my response and I believe Supermodels from Twiggy, Kate Moss too Mirander Kerr make it to the top and from there expand themselves by selling themselves. This being what they believe in along with fashion and their bodies. Though many believe these women are sending a negative body image, resulting in cases of anorexia and bulimia in young women who try to attain their perfection.

The model is simply a coat hanger wearing the designer’s clothes, a supermodel is remarkable and they influence individuality with their style. They influence unique characteristic and expensive clothes. This is not supposed to be negative. They create an image to look at, not always meant to be seen in the average lifestyle.

Street Style

The clothes that are worn on the runway are not always suitable to be worn on a typical day, though the exaggerated look can be seen on high profile celebrity is various forms. It is not clothes the models from the runway wear that initially get young womens attention into the different style, but rather a lot of time it is the models “off duty” style. The models style is what can make or break the model sometimes. A models style is a hot topic and is watched by a diverse range of women around the world.


Ever wondered why you never see a supermodel wearing the same thing twice in any given photo? Well that’s most likely because they don’t. That’s an expensive lifestyle if you think about it, but the truth is not everything is paid for. They receive gifts from designers who use them as their personal muses or in simple words dress up dolls.

The supermodels are given clothing, makeup and accessories; all with the intention of promoting what they are wearing. I know personally that when I see a supermodel, such as Chanel Iman, that is perfect and I could happily wear that style; meaning I would most likely buy what she is wearing. These supermodels influence young girl choices when it comes to what they wear and accessorize, it isn’t always about body image.

Embarking to Improve

As i was reading last month issue of Vogue Australia i came across a an article that immidiatly had my attention. The article was called ' The Great Debate", it focused on body image and the society, using quotes and facts to emphasise the point it was trying to get across. 
 In Australia there has been a new code of conduct on body image established. It is a set guidline to encourage fashion, media and advertising bodies to peomote healthy body image.

 I was able to get these new guidlines out of Voguesa september issue, and to me they are quite forward.



Then & Now

If we look back on the days when the fresh faced Gemma Ward started her modeling career; walking down the runway, shooting multiple magazine covers and generaly making her mark. She was young, blonde, skinny and had a face that is hard to forget.

 "Gemma is one of the very, very few models who look as though they come from another dimension." - British photographer Nick Wright"

Going back to the point of Gemma being so young; most models start when they are young , around 16 which is not always the wisest thing. They are still young girls who are developing into woman, yet they are put on a stage representing WOMAN. When these young women finish going through puberty it is alway a shock that they end up having breasts, hips and have likely lost their boyish figures.

 If we look at photos of Geema Ward when she started and to how she looks today, this information will definately be able to be interpreted a little better.

Now

Before

The industry uses such young girl, not woman, who are ment to be selling to woman around the world. Is this a bad image or should people be looking at the clothes rather than who is wearing it. Though in todays modeling world there ahs been new laws which ensure all models are 16 years or older if they are walking on the runways and they are also trying to ban too skinny models from the runways. this is something that will most likely take time, but we have time and we soon see the change from these new regulationts.

Now

Before

                              

    

      

A Comparison

 The fact is a majority of our Supermodels are tall and slim, but to what degree? If you see a photo of one of these models it is without a doubt that the image you see has been retouched to a degree of almost perfection. Or rather an unrealistic look. Comparing these few models to almost any female, you would be able to see just how many imperfections someone may have. Miranda Kerr, Chanel Iman, Adriana Lima and Alessadra Ambrosio are just a few of our new group of Supermodels. It would be no surprise to see them on the cover of an ad campaign or magazine. If you wanted to truly know what these woman actually measured up to in real life than on a magazine here are a few measurements and info which may help you understand why they are so big in the fashion industry.







Alessandra Ambrosio

           

Miranda kerr

Age: 27

Ethnicity: Serbian, Persian, Filipino, Turkish, Australian ancestry

Height: 177cm

Weight: 55Kg
Measurements: 85-60-85 cm

Chanel Iman

Age: 21

Ethnicity: Korean and African American

Height: 178cm

Weight:49kg

Measurements: 81-58-84 cm

Adriana Lima

Age: 29

Ethnicity: Native-Brazilian, African-Brazilian, Portuguese, French, and Caribbean

Height: 177cm

Weight: 51kg

Measurements: 84-61-86 cm

Alessandra Ambrosio

Age: 29

Ethnicity: Italian and Polish

Height: 178cm

Weight: 52kg

Measurements: 86-61-86 cm



Is this really Perfection.

It has been a little while since I last posted, though now something that I believe is interesting came to mind. We know that Supermodels look thin or skinny and also in most cases quite tall. But what is there height and weight? How do they compare to the average female body size?


Twiggy is a great example of a Supermodel who is rather small. She stood at 5”6” (168cm) when she was 17 years old, not the typical standard of the ‘Amazon’ type Supermodels that sprung up in later years. Twiggy is able to be seen in photos as being on the skinny side and this is true. She weight approximately 41kg or 90pounds when she was at her peak and measured in at 81-58-81 cm. Twiggy had a BMI of only 15.

“She was anorexic-thin without being anorexic”

Another quote which I believed was effective with the intents to describe Twiggy’s waif figure, “Twiggy is an X-ray not a picture”, this was said by Marshal McLuhan.

Another British model who is on the short and thin side is Kate Moss. She measures at a height considered too short for the catwalk, yet Kate Moss was able to overcome that obstacle to become one of the best know Models around the world. Kate Moss is 170cm or 5 feet 6 inches. Along with her short height she had a very low weight, she only weighed 48kg.



Supermodels such as Naomi Campbell seem to be what most would consider the height of a supermodel. Naomi is known to be 177cm or 5 feet 10 inches tall; this is a height that is seen more often on today’s catwalks. Her weight was not as precise as she did have times when her weight varied minimally. Naomi’s weight was estimated to be around 48-54 kg.

Gisele Bundchen is a name known worldwide; this has helped her become the number one earning Supermodel as I pointed out before. She is 179cm or 5 feet 10 inches and weighs approximately 57kg. I know supermodel like Gisele have set a standard of almost perfection that most girls would idolise.

Everyone is different, even Supermodels vary and change overtime. Girls need to know about the different standards of ideal perfection and what is attainable. Gisele has a standard that would be hard for a lot of women to achieve but at least it is not as unrealistic as Twiggy and Kate Moss's image.

In my Dreams.

"We don't wake up for less than $10,000 a day." - Linda Evangelista, 1991.

 Well for starter i would like to point out supermodels, some more than others, would be waking up to this amount of money along with free clothing, make, cars and what many other things that there face and body are able to sell.

 Over the past couple of years one model has stayed at the top of the Top Earning supermodels. I believe this is a quite obvious model, but for those who are not so familiar with her work it is non other than. Gisele Bundchen.

 She not only modeled as a Victoria's Secret Angel, but also has major endorsements for labels such as Ralph Lauren. There is also the fact that she has a line of sandals which are the most-sold Brazilian flip-flops in the world.

 Just to rub it in a bit more, last year Giselse raked in an amazing $35 million through all the many products and labels her face is signed to. This brings her total fortune to an astounding $150 million.

The leading ladies who earned an amount far from Gisele's, but still very impressive are:
Hiedi Klum who earned $14 million last year. Impressive for this hard working mother of four, who also is the presenter of the hit show Project Runway.

Finally it would not be a recognised list if Kate Moss wasn't on it. Though Kate Moss may not be every ones favourite she has still left her mark.She made $7.5 million.

I believe the work done by these women is impressive and too most is nothing but a dream.

We'll Still Buy it.

We all know the work of a Supermodel involves promoting and selling whatever they are being used for to advertise. The advertisements they are in can be seen around most of the world; on billboards, magazine covers and editorials, television, books, clothes and a variety of different products. The models are used in advertisements as they are meant to be of a high standard of beauty which will draw our attention. When a Supermodel is being used it is not just the way they look that sells the product but the models name.

This is something that I feel I do myself. I know if I was to see a supermodel, such as Abbey-Lee Kershaw or Gemma Ward, on the cover of a magazine I would be more inclined to buy it, rather than a magazine that uses a model or person that is not well known.
On the righ Vogue magazine : Gemma Ward

                        

There is also the fact that not all advertising campaigns are appropriate for people of all ages or cultures to view. Sometimes the quote ‘Sex Sells’ is taken too far, becoming a little too controversial, and yet it can be seen by many as classy or beautiful when the face or body of a supermodel is being used.

The cover to the left would definately be looked at differently if it was on the cover of a racy magazine. 

Our own Perception

 There is this saying Supermodel syndrome, have you heard of it before? I didn’t, not until today actually.
   I feel that even though I don’t know it very well there are certain people who would have crossed it before. It may be recognised more by a certain type of person, but one thing that it most likely obvious, yes it does have to do with body image and perfection .

  Peggy C. Founder of the Montreux Clinic made a good point which I came across while reading her book,

‘Supermodel syndrome is not the cause of eating disorders, it is best to think of it as a possible trigger’.

Still some people will hang on to the belief that the reason people have eating disorders is due to the fact there are young, thin, beautiful women being used to advertise many products around the world.

  We view modelling as an area where perfection seems unattainable; this type of body image will affect many women in different ways.

  Peggy touched on an important point that can many young women will be able to relate to,

‘...that media and advertising images that glorify perfection and beauty contribute too many women’s sense of un-happiness about their imperfect human bodies.’

As I continued reading I was positive that she would bash supermodels, stating that they are the major cause for women’s body dysmorphic views and eating disorders. Though she actually contradicted this by saying she is not convinced the rate of eating disorders would fall with a movement to vanish the supermodel syndrome (unrealistic looks). She believed people with eating disorders would just find another source of perfection to emulate.

 I know there are supermodels that have sent the wrong message; this message was then spread widely by the media and our culture. My view is that women shouldn’t have to feel the need tolook like something so unattainable that is displayed in many ways almost unrealistic. Preferably women should feel perfect in their own skin, even with these supermodels being around. You need to have diversity to attain true beauty.

An Attainable Standard....

When someone brings up the topic of Supermodel’s the first things that is likely to be heard is criticism, and even an insult. Most people, who share these views, would not follow the fashion industry and understand the work that goes on behind the scenes. Rather it is more preferable for some people to insult these young women than give them praise for something that is considerably unattainable to them.

By giving a fashion figure the title of Supermodel, they must be doing something right... Right? Why do we not praise them then?

This is true; they are doing great things for their work which happens to be promoting an image that people may strive for. In many cases when it is a young adolescents or women that looks up to these figures (like me) you do not see all the negative problems with the models body or style, but rather the lack of imperfection. The ridiculous standards of that supermodels present, may be out of reach for most of these women, but I can positively say this does not hinder their attempts to achieve perfection.

An Endearing Time

The work of a Supermodel is always relating to their star as a sex symbol or global celebrity. They are still high fashion models but with more advantages. Many are used in a ways that sell their beauty and fame in order to endorse any particular product, magazine or other advertisements. With their Supermodel ‘title’ they are able to influence those who look up to them.

So, in fact they are promoting themselves.

A great example takes us back to the 1960’s where the dominant standout was Twiggy. She was known back then and to this day for her big eyes, her short boy cut hair and twig-like waif figure. Her popularity grew to be known worldwide and she was named “the face of 1966”, by a British Newspaper. She was an idol in so many young women’s eyes that now she was able to influence them in a way that turned out to be unhealthy, unrealistic, and something that will always be known of in the sixties.

"Whether you're thin, fat, small, dark, blond, redhead, you wanna be something else," said the world's first boldface supermodel, Twiggy. "I wanted a fairy godmother to make me look like Marilyn Monroe. I had no boobs, no hips, and I wanted it desperately."

The media attention, photo shoots and magazines targeted at females were selling her beauty, style and trends. The ultra mini look was first made popular when Twiggy modelled it, starting the trend many girls soon followed around the world.



Since the 60’s the Mod look has come back and graced our runways of the 21st century. Giving inspiration for the new generation of females to be part of fashion history that will always be known.
Giving thanks to Twiggy, a Supermodel in many ways.







It only took the look of one young woman, to keep a style alive over 40 years later.

Influential supermodels, The New or the Old

It may be easier to understand the influence of a supermodel by looking at these Supermodels from the past and the ones that are in the spot light today. Supermodels that were influencing young women back in the 60’s were influential in a way where they were looked. This new generation has different views and lifestyles, both of these affect how we deal with fashion and body image. Like the 60’s young women look up to these Supermodels and compare themselves to them. The new Supermodel’s of this generation do not seem to be as big and popularised as they once were. The thing is, they are still around and still leaving their mark on societies views.

Supermodels that have stood out in the fashion world and made it to the “super standard” include:

                                                                          Twiggy

                                                                   Cindy Crawford

                                                                    Eva Herzigova

 

Christy Turlington

Kate Moss

 

                                                                  Naomi Campbell

Claudia Schiffer

                                                                      Elle Macperson

                                                                Heidi Klum

                                                                   Tyra Banks

The new generation of supermodels in the 2000’s seems to have faded. This has had an effect in the way models transform into Supermodel, and now there seems to be a greater number of supermodels.

                                                               Alessandra Ambrosio

Gisele Bundchen

Adriana Lima

Abbey Lee Kershaw

Miranda Kerr

Chanel Iman

Understanding Supermodels

 Supermodels have been around for many decades now and have influenced the way we perceive style, body image and what is supposed to be the female perspective. These women though are most likely only known for being Supermodels, but before they were Supermodels they were most likely to be like anyone else growing up: School, house parties, formals and possibly even working the typical part time job.

 Though before we get into the topic of supermodels there is one thing that should be known. This is why do we call them “Supermodels”?

Well here’s a little fact, the term Supermodel only became popular during the 1980.These women are the most famous fashion models, most desired and highest paid fashion models. Though for them to get to this point they would often have been involved in haute couture and commercial work for the biggest brand names and magazines.[1] Think of Chanel, Prada, Givenchy and my favourite Louis Vuitton! They would have appeared in magazines, on the covers or editorials, for reputable magazines such as Vogue, Marie Claire, Elle and so many more. The work they receive is reliant upon recognition as they lend their fame and looks to the product to help with its promotion.

 You have to wonder how a model rises up in the fashion world and gets the title Supermodel. See now you can understand it just happens once they reach this high level of fame, where their names are seen in tabloids around the world.

“Name recognition is the single largest indicator that someone is a supermodel." 

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[1] The Lilith Ezine 2010, Super Models and fashion Models Viewed 2/08/2010,http://www.lilith-ezine.com/articles/fashion/Supermodels.html