Victoria’s Secret recently aired its annual fashion show. This fashion show had a lot of inclusivity yet also kept the models beautifully unrealistic: small waist, dramatic curves, and perfectly sculpted faces. This is the beauty of modeling, seeing someone who looks so good you swear it’s edited. That’s why we should keep modeling unrealistic. It sustains the art factor of modeling. If models didn’t look like works of art there would be no point of tuning in.
The body positivity movement is America’s double-edged sword. The intent behind it is amazing, everyone should be in agreement that no one should feel ugly in their body; but, this movement in many ways has crossed a line. It makes beauty less celebrated in an effort to promote inclusivity. This is especially true for modeling. People have been requesting more lenient standards for modeling in an effort to represent all body and skin types. In theory, this isn’t a bad idea, but America has taken it too far and has thrown out the standards that made models marketable– their unattainable beauty. The whole point of modeling is to celebrate and showcase breathtaking beauty; it’s to present beauty that the average person doesn’t and won’t ever possess. Disregarding this principle in exchange for inclusivity is not only unnecessary but also undermining the hard work models put in to walk the runways.
Additionally, inclusivity doesn’t automatically augment a less attractive model. Take Anok Yai for example, she’s gorgeous and often remarked as one of the most beautiful women to walk the planet. Every shot of her is breathtaking and dreamlike; oftentimes it seems like the camera was made for her. She is at the least conventionally attractive, if not the standard of beauty. If you take a good look at her she possesses almost doll-like facial features: perfect skin, a straight nose, big lips, high cheekbones, and almond eyes. When combined, these features create natural proportionality. Anok Yai also has an unrealistic body. She’s tall, lean, and has long limbs. She is in every sense of the word beautiful, often being described as looking unreal. This is what we typically expect of models, unreal beauty; and yet, she adds inclusivity. She’s darkskinned, allowing for an extra layer to her image. She challenges the western standards of beauty by not having pale, fair skin but she doesn’t lose the breathtaking beauty. This makes her a perfect example of inclusive yet still artistically unrealistic modeling.
Furthermore, the most popular models continue to be those who are unrealistically beautiful. Take the ten models that have made the most money this year, this list is filled with women who fit the standard of beauty that isn’t attainable for most people. These models include Kendall Jenner and Bella Hadig who are known for their beauty. These girls having the highest salaries emphasizing America’s want for art on their screens. The people don’t want to see people they can see at the store, they want to see women who are unique and breathtaking. So why not give the people what they want?
Modeling is an art. Artwork is supposed to be unique. If I could recreate every artwork I see I wouldn’t bother going to art shows. I also wouldn’t pay to attend a concert highlighting an average performer. So why should modeling be any different? Why is it that models are no longer expected to be unexplainably beautiful yet I still have to pay to attend their events? If modeling is going to continue to be an art, it has to remain unrealistic if people are expected to continue to attend modeling events.
