“You can’t reason with crazy, you can’t argue with stupid.” Who is this quote from? I saw it as a status on a social networking site. (I like to offer credit where credit is due.) Sometimes we are all guilty of being so sure about something that no one could change their mind on a particular subject, but when the situation is reversed and other people are the ones acting “crazy” and “stupid”… it’s just frustrating.
This point is made because I’m not trying to “be stupid” and argue about something that should be controversial, but when I was researching one of my topics, I thought of that quote as I stopped myself from commenting on a popular modeling place. I wasn’t that impressed with what, where, and how the fight went between some models, photographers, and some other representatives of the fashion industry. Everyone has their own subjective opinion on the subject of beauty, who a model should be, and their role within the fashion industry. Models come in all shapes, sizes, ethnicities, and experience levels, but when you get together a bunch of industry professionals and see them chatting in an open online discussion about plus-sized models… beware!
Ignoring the term “Plus Size Model” and calling the subject “Size” is a heated argument. Some things are currently facts in the modeling industry:
• It’s not just for “pretty girl” types or “Ken-doll” guys.
• It’s not just for tall and skinny people.
• You can be a successful model without being famous.
• Models work for clients and are paid to represent that hired image.
• And EVERYTHING related to work ethic, personality and professionalism is pretty much the same in the industry, no matter what TYPE of model you are.
So people arguing about the standards of what a REAL model IS should look at what they say as a FACT that cannot be “discussed”. The bottom line is that the CUSTOMER or people working on behalf of the client are the ones HIRING THE MODELS. That’s a fact. Be it a fashion designer, corporate commercial client, magazine, photographer, advertising agency, etc., it is just some of the people who decide what type of model they want. It is THEIR standard of how they want their product to be perceived by consumers. It’s their choice.
If a High Fashion Magazine wants a tall model in size Zero for their editorial distribution… that’s their choice. If they don’t attract a large group of consumers to buy their magazine because they alienate a large group of people of stature, then that is their loss too, but it is their choice to make their brand exclusive of those consumers who are cosmopolitan, trendy, and money to spend on their advertisers. Sometimes they forget that people oversize 8 can be cosmopolitan and trendy and have money too.
Some of those magazines deal with smaller Plus Sized models, so again, it’s still their choice as far as size goes. They do it for their reasons, but it has nothing to do with equality in the modeling. Modeling is not an “Equal Opportunity Employer”. They are considered contract workers who can usually work for many different clients and are highly regarded for their app clearance and often exposed to physical criticism. Not many care that they work in sometimes harsh conditions, long hours, and no guaranteed 15-minute break or lunch break, etc. Not many other careers would ever tolerate that intense scrutiny without the threat of a lawsuit, but models are exposed to it on a common basis. That said, there may still be a passion for models enjoying what they do.
Above and beyond some questionable conditions the models are exposed to, they still do it and give their personal best. If they don’t, they won’t last long complaining to “the boss”. Modeling is a choice for the individual, so if the good usually don’t outweigh the bad… it may not be the right career for you. Models may be the center of attention, but they’re not the ones making significant changes in the industry without a customer giving them the chance to shine. The same choices apply to whether or not to represent a fashion designer at a Fashion Week by Plus-Size Models to show their line of Plus garments on the runway. Heck, a lot of designers don’t even have Plus Size designs. They will hire anyone who shows off their clothes in the best way.
In recent decades, industry standards regarding High Fashion modeling sizes have dropped from size 4/6 to size 0/2. The same drop in size from Plus models from size 14/16 to even size 8 shows the same trend that smaller sizes and body angles that shoot well are still in demand. Models are human mannequins, r rather human “pendants”, so their job is to sell them. Note: Some designers simply don’t have the creative motivation or talent to develop flattering plus-size garments. It’s not their fault if they don’t have the passion to create specific garments that fit an average to plus size person. The artistic eye within the modeling industry can have a distorted view of themselves and the things they see as the shortcomings of others. Regardless, models from both smaller ends of these size ranges can be hired to represent their customers, but the other omitted sizes of plus models and consumers find this unfair. I’ve seen their argument too, and they’re just as willing to argue and demand respect, but many Plus models take it personally when overlooked for a smaller model. It can be discouraging for ANY model who believes they deserved the booking another model got. That alone is a general experience that everyone will eventually have to deal with, so whether it’s size 2/4/6 or size 12/14/16… it’s up to the customer to interpret what he thinks is best is for the consumer. Nothing personal… it’s business and it comes down to it. I’ve seen their argument too, and they’re just as willing to argue and demand respect, but many Plus models take it personally when overlooked for a smaller model. It can be discouraging for ANY model who believes they deserved the booking another model got. That alone is a general experience that everyone will eventually have to deal with, so whether it’s size 2/4/6 or size 12/14/16… it’s up to the customer to interpret what he thinks is best is for the consumer. Nothing personal… it’s business and it comes down to it. I’ve seen their argument too, and they’re just as willing to argue and demand respect, but many Plus models take it personally when overlooked for a smaller model. It can be discouraging for ANY model who believes they deserved the booking another model got. That alone is a general experience that everyone will eventually have to deal with, so whether it’s size 2/4/6 or size 12/14/16… it’s up to the customer to interpret what he thinks is best is for the consumer. Nothing personal… it’s business and it comes down to it. That alone is a general experience that everyone will eventually have to deal with, so whether it’s size 2/4/6 or size 12/14/16… it’s up to the customer to interpret what he thinks is best is for the consumer. Nothing personal… it’s business and it comes down to it. That alone is a general experience that everyone will eventually have to deal with, so whether it’s size 2/4/6 or size 12/14/16… it’s up to the customer to interpret what he thinks is best is for the consumer. Nothing personal… it’s business and it comes down to it.
Ultimately, modeling is a subjective career choice, so before the industry makes drastic changes and increases the size of models that represent them, everyone should treat this industry like a business. Just being a really good MODEL is not easy, sr those who have that talent, strive to find the right job for their career. Yes, there is an artistic element in many parts of the industry as well as image, character acting, and proper posing techniques, etc. to them. It is not intended as a personal insult to you as a person, but rather as a lesson in flexibility to go with the flow of what you have been hired to do. Many models give up or never find their “niche” in the industry, but there is
If you’re ever in a position to comment, judge, or just read about the industry… please be open-minded that it takes all sizes, looks, ethnicities, and types to be in this career. The process can be grueling for one’s self-esteem, especially long-term as a career choice. Sometimes when reading comments and discussions on some of these industry topics, you see people who are supposed to know what they are talking about because they are models, photographers, etc. themselves. Everyone is entitled to an opinion, but when you see individuals who claim that only one way is “good” or that one type is “beautiful”… .
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