If you look at any model on a runway, you will see a really slim (almost scary slim) model with very little figure. Fashion designers put their clothes on women that they think their consumers will idolize. If you look at this model's arms, they are really, really thin. So I decided to look at certain ways the fashion industry and commerical industries have tried to incorporate a "real" image of women.
America's Next Top Model is a show that has women compete to be a top model, but the models are usually taller than 5'7" and are below a size 4. However, Tyra Banks decided to do a plus-size season of this show. The beginning credits are below. The "plus-size" women all seem pretty average looking and not what you would think of when you think of "plus-size." Plus size is considered to be (on average) size 14 and up. However, most of the women on the show were between the sizes 8-10. Although this was a good idea in theory, Tyra kind of missed the mark when it came to including a different image (although these women looked more real than in her other seasons!).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pmtg0jQA-z0
We also mentioned in class the new Hanes ad. They show women of varying races, sizes and shapes. While this is also a good step towards a better image for women, we mentioned that it has become fashionable to "pretend" like you are reaching out to women of all sizes. I thought this editorial was interesting that shows this viewpoint.
http://collegecandy.com/2010/01/15/stop-exploiting-plus-size-women-fashion-magazines/
Another thing I would like to mentioned is Chaz Bono on Dancing with the Stars. This refers to our earlier talks about transgender and inscribing gender. Chaz is transgender and they placed him to dance with a women. There was outrage over this because some people said it was confusing to children (how would they know he was a girl before that, if you ask me?) and was sending the wrong message. I think this is pretty ridiculous, but a lot of people felt very strongly about it. This is an interesting news story below that talks about the story.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VS8EtnJRrq4
I was struck most by the ad for the “plus-size” season of America’s Next Top Model. While it’s somewhat of a step in the right direction in terms of society acknowledging women of various sizes and shapes (other than tiny models with stick bodies), I was uncomfortable with the message it sent. The models featured in the commercial were all beautiful and able to produce stunning photos. However, when examining the pictures, the word ‘plus-size’ never crossed my mind. Yes, these women had curves and weren’t showing signs of malnutrition, but, at most, they were simply average-sized. I feel like the term ‘plus-size’, either in reference to a model or type of clothing store, has a negative connotation associated with it. If you’re considered plus size, you aren’t fitting the norm, you must be placed in a special category. In order to remove the stigma associated with having a “real” body, labels like plus size must be completely discarded.
ReplyDeleteAfter watching the America’s Next Top Model ad, I happened to find another video, which showed a ‘plus size’ model being retouched, from beginning to end. The initial photo showed a woman with natural curves lying on a couch. She had shapely legs and a large chest. By the time the video ended, the same woman was shown to have super thin legs, arms, face, fingers (!), and much smaller bust. I was stunned at how a software program and some clicks of the mouse could completely transform a person. It put into perspective the lies continuously perpetuated by the media about image and the futile pursuit of perfection. Women are constantly being compared to an ideal that isn’t even possible to achieve.
It disgusts me to think that sickly and thin is ‘normal’ and healthy and average must be labeled ‘plus size’. Women must take the initiative to recognize the lies we’re fed and learn to accept themselves and their beauty for what it is—REAL.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteRunway models have always blown my mind with how stick-thin they are. I never understood why they would showcase bones as being the "ideal body shape". Being that thin is a sign that they are extremely unhealthy and suffering from malnutrition. None of the girls shown have any signs that they are "fit-skinny," such as having muscles or any sort of body tone, because this would make them look bigger. It's almost as if the designers are extremely cheap and don't want to spend money on using more fabric to make clothes that would actually fit a normal sized person.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely agree with you that Tyra missed the mark in showcasing "plus size" models too. Those women in the commercial look so normal to me that it's almost scary they would consider them to be overweight. It would make any girl who wears sizes bigger than a 5 to assume she's "plus size" too. This correlates with the articles we read and discussion in class about eating disorders and how the media and clothing stores cause women to assume they are overweight.
In response to what Kellie wrote, I've also seen a Dove video of how they took a photo shoot of an already pretty woman done up in makeup and showed the process they took in editing the photographs to raise her cheekbones, make her lips fuller, make her face skinnier, etc. They call it the "evolution" and that "beauty is just a click away". It amazes me that no one in this world is perfect, but the media tries to fool everyone into thinking that there are flawless women out there. I can understand touch-ups to get rid of acne marks or wrinkles, but I draw the line at completely changing the configuration of someone's face.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYhCn0jf46U
I do believe that our fashion industry uses models that most women cannot relate too. Not only does this making women feel as though they can never have an ideal body, it is also unhealthy for the models. These models starve themselves to fit the runway look, and as a result they are killing their bodies. As we discuses in class many different things can contribute to eating disorders, I do believe fashion plays a big role. Everyday women want to look like models, or they believe that these models are “normal” body size. I don’t understand why being able to see your bones as model makes you pretty.
ReplyDeleteThe ads of plus size models look more like everyday people, but why are they considered to plus size. This makes it seem that if you aren’t a side zero you are plus size. The ads are supposed to help with women’s images of their body but it seems to only have a negative effect. Top Model also tried to show “plus size” models. Just from looking at the youtube video it seems that none of these women where “plus size.” I think by making a different category for these women, it just showing that they aren’t accepted into this culture.
The fashion industry should embrace every size of women, though they do not need to give them names or different categories. Why does there have to be a difference between “normal” and “plus size” models. The designers should want to design their clothes for everyday people. They shouldn’t want to make clothes that cannot fit average people. Until the fashion industry changes these negative effects are still going to be place on society.