THE END....FINALLY!!!!

Well, this is it folks...no more fashion blogs!! Since my creativity is basically dead, I'm going to quickly go over my last nine blogs.

“While clothes may not make the woman, they certainly have a strong effect on her self-confidence — which, I believe, does make the woman."
Mary Kay Ashe

I've talked about the ups and downs of the fashion world, the downs being racism, anorexia, discrimination, unhealthy "perfection", and the ups being diversity (mr/mlle Pejic ), healthy models, and beautiful imperfections.

Women are now more comfortable with themselves and their bodies—they no longer feel the need to hide behind their clothes.”
Donna Karan

The world of fashion, although imperfect because of its discriminatory ways, is ever-changing and improving. It is very diverse, and quite exciting for many. Whether you fancy shoes, tuxedos, or elegant dresses, the fashion world caters to everyone! It is amazing that clothes, jewelry, makeup and hair can be so...so...so... i don't know, exciting, inspiring! I admire people with unique styles, that follow fashion trends and interpret them in their own ways. Everyone has their own style, but I find it so refreshing to see someone looking fashion forward and just waiting to jump into the next trend, no matter how crazy it is!

“I don't do fashion, I am fashion.”
Coco Chanel

Anyway, I just want to say that I really admire models who follow healthy lifestyles, and don't sacrifice their health and happiness for their job, like Coco Rocha, my favorite Canadian model. I also really appreciate designers that are lenient and open to diverse models, whether black, beige, brown, transgender, short or imperfect. People are becoming more accepting of different, unique people, and it will get even better in the future. Lets all hope that the percentage of anorexic models goes down, so both they and the average girls at home watching them can be healthy and happy.

“A designer is only as good as the star who wears her clothes.”
Edith Head
http://educators.fidm.edu/educators/classroom-resources/fashion-qoutes.html

The masculine look

Okay, so women's clothes used to be super girly and whatnot right? Well, nowadays many designers are making women's more based on the men's look. Personally, I think it's so super awesome that women are walking down the runway in suits and blazers, to show that not only men get to wear these cool clothes. It also caters more to women who are more tomboyish, who despise dresses and heels. Even super girly girls love to dress up a blazer or oxfords (such as Taylor Swift).


Trending masculine clothes are oversized blazers, military inspired outfits(boots, skinny cargos), tuxedos, leather jacket, the buttoned up shirt, bow tie, baggy and ripped boyfriend jeans, the classic v neck with a plaid shirt underneath, ties, plaid shirts, oxfords, and more. I find these new additions to womenswear so exciting and fresh, because it's quite nice to have a change.The designers also slick back the runway models hair to create an even more masculine look, which often has the point of showing a woman's beauty even though she is wearing an androgynous look. It's beautiful.

Many women are wearing pixie cuts these days(like myself), which many consider masculine, and sure maybe it looks a little boyish, but I think it highlights a woman's face, showing that women don't have to have long, glamorous hair to be beautiful.



 This masculinity is essentially stripping a woman of her "feminine" accesories, showing her raw, true form, that she is still gorgeous without makeup, fancy clothes, long hair or jewelry.

http://www.thestyleblogger.com/4476/menswear-inspired-looks-part-ii-featuring-helen-weselcouch/

Ethnic Discrimination: Becoming more diverse

Sadly, in todays world, people of different races are still discriminated against, even in the fashion industry. Black models don't get the employment that white models do. Many designers and magazines are rather reluctant to accept black models.''Sadly we are in the business where you stock your shelves with what sells," says Carole White, co-founder of Premier Model Management.

"Yes, I'd say the industry is racist. In Milan black girls never work. In Paris it's still the same. It's 2011 and that's quite disgusting, really." (Anne Wilshaw, booker)

 

Take the magazine Marie Claire for example, in over 300 pages, there is only eight photographs of black women, and even less in other magazines, like Glamour and Vogue.

Apparently, black models dont have allot to offer, they dont have unique looks. I, along with most people, beg to differ. Many designers dont take models that arent white into account when they are preparing their clothes and makeup for their shows and ads.  Even though black models certainly do sell, designers like to take the ''safe route'' and hire a white model with blonde hair.Some model castings have limitations (ex: ''no ethnics'') , which certainly isnt fair. I mean, in a way I can see how designers cast for a certain look, but in the same light, its totally unfair. Often black models are shot in tribal prints and bright makeup in  desert scene(''african'' scene), which many find a bore and unfair that they are limited to specific styles.

Models like Tyra Banks and Naomi Campbell have had more than a few things to say about racism in this industry, and I dont blame them.

''There has never been a lot of money for black models in that world, because all the money was in advertising, in the campaigns and black models rarely got those so my wages would be... I’d be getting so much less than the other girls and I thought that was just so wrong.'' (Tyra Banks)

"There is a lack of women of colour within the fashion industry which needs to be addressed. It is important for the agents, managers, advertisers and designers who are promoting change to speak out. We are not here to complain, we need to find a solution." (Naomi Campbell)


The first african amercian women in the fashion world were Beverly Johnson, who was the first black model to be featured on the cover of vogue, and was on 500 magazine covers in her career, as well as Veronica Webb, the first african american woman to sign a cosmetic contract with Revlon, and modelled for top designers like Karl Lagerfeld and Isaac Mizrahi. Popular black models today are Chanel Iman (who models for Victoria's Secret), Alek Wek, Liya Kebede and Leomie Anderson.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/fashion-is-racist-insider-lifts-lid-on-ethnic-exclusion-782974.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=giub7E_YBbU

http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2011/feb/22/leomie-anderson-model-racial-discrimation

Andrej Pejic: Man, I feel like a woman

Pretty?

Looks like a normal, beautiful, unique, pale blonde model. Well, he certainly is unique. Wait, HE? Yes, Andrej Pejic is a man, who just happens to be lanky and feminine enough to pass for a woman, so he models both men and womens clothes.

Most people, upon seeing him in his normal attire and makeup, automatically assume he's a woman. But then when he starts talking, a person knows the difference. This 20 year old Australian model, who was scouted at 17, has amazing modeling career. Referencing his first opening for a womenswear brand, he says "No one actually noticed it was me, or not a girl." When approaching certain modeling agencies, he was turned away because he couldn't be classified as a male or female model.Many are thankful he has broken the order of modeling. "I've always been instinctively drawn to those with character, and those who don't conform to one physical ideal" says Sarah Doukas, head of the Storm line. Many photographers adore Pejic, admiring his different look. He walked twice in a Jean Paul Gaultier show, for the womens and mens line. He's definitely had to work harder than most models, which he is admired for immensely.

Many people are frightened by his appearance in the fashion world, they are threatened by the fact that he is neither a woman or a man, he is the middle space. Hopefully, people will now be more open to different people...I mean heck, he couldve gotten away with modeling as a woman, not like most models have existant breasts anyway...

He is a huge inspiration for transgendered models, and just transgendered people in general. Andrej is a wonderful role model for many men, breaking the normalcy of the fashion world.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nfkep3lI0Ig

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kt57ED5-5FU

Healthy is the new skinny!

These days, all stars are thin and beautiful. While this subject is stressed so much already, its important to talk about it. Whether it's as far as anorexia, or just deficiencies, women are hurting their bodies to look perfect. Lately, allot of models and celebrities have been coming out and talking about how they changed their lifestyles, or have always been healthy and want to make a point of advertising it to show young people that they don't have to hurt themselves to be beautiful inside and out. I wanted to list some amazing, gorgeous and smart models, that are thin, yes, but not waif-ish, they are beautiful and healthy.

First off is a model i've previously mentionned, Coco Rocha. Naturally thin, but not starving herself to look like a "perfect" model, who bravely ignored people who told her to lose weight. Brooklyn Decker, Bar Rafaeli, Alek Wek, Lara Stone, Doutzen Kroes, a well known Victoria's Secret model. Heidi Klum, another Victoria's Secret model, actress, tv host, fashion designer and business woman. Very well know Tyra Banks, who has modeled her whole life, hosts America's Next Top Model and is an author and businesswoman, is one of the biggest of these for promoting a healthy weight. These are all well known models that know how to treat their body right, and stand up for a healthy size and weight against picky labels.



The point here is to prove that anyone that has a healthy body is beautiful, whether they are skinny or not. People need to get over the fact that when some people have good diets and plenty of exercise they can still have some weight on them, not everyone is naturally thin. For example, Demi Lovato, who has been made fun of for her size, even though she is now healthy after rehab (for an eating disorder). To me, she is beautiful and the perfect size, many have chosen to be cruel towards her, even though shes naturally curvy. People will be people and theres nothing we can do about it except keep a healthy attitude and therefore a healthy body image.

Beautiful imperfections:The positive side ( born this way baby!)

While many models appear absolutely perfect, many actually have flaws, that the industry sees as beautiful. I've seen many models with gap teeth, strong noses and brows, small breasts, big thighs, etc. While many may see these characteristics as flaws, they are unique and beautiful to others, they make normal people with those flaws feel better about themselves.

These days, allot of people are running to tanning beds to achieve the bronzed look, to look like many celebrities. But do you remember seeing many bronzed beauties on the runway at any point? No, unless they're from Brazil or on the Victoria's Secret runway. I've seen many snow white models, and also many models that are dark as night, and they are both incredibly beautiful. While bronzed women are indeed beautiful, it really doesn't matter what your skin tone is in the fashion industry. Being unique is what matters.

Lindsey Wixson, a very well known model today, has a cute gap in her teeth. She is making just as much money, getting just as many spots on the runway as models with perfect teeth, if not more. While there is nothing wrong with perfectly straight teeth, many admire unique smiles. Kirsten Dunst has "vampire" or "snaggle" teeth, but is she still beautiful and one of the most famous actresses today? Of course, and she's proud of her fangs!

One of my favourite imperfections to talk about are strong and crooked noses. A woman doesn't need a cute little turned up nose to be attractive. While I've definitely wished for a perfect little button nose, I've learned to live with my big nose. A star I admire, Troian Bellisario, from the show Pretty Little Liars, has a crooked nose, but she is still unbelievably gorgeous. Another actress, Lea Michele, has a large, straight nose, that has been criticized, but is a huge actress and a beauty and fashion icon as well. Many other influential women, like Lady Gaga, model Erin Wasson and Meryl Streep are proud of their noses, they don't feel the need for a smaller, more convential nose. Because they know they were born this way and are proud of it!

Lastly, I would like to talk about big hips and small breasts. Most models we see these days are stick straight hangers, which most find unattractive. I mean, sure, allot of people barely have curves naturally, but a small waist and larger hips are very beautiful. No matter what a woman's shape, she's still beautiful. But many see hips as bad, but heck, what I wouldn't give for a smaller waist and/or bigger hips! Moving on to breasts now. Many flat chested women look at sexy, buxom beauties, like Scarlett Johansson and Katy Perry, and lose confidence, because they don't feel sexy. Let me tell you, flat chested women can pull off allot of outfits that big breasted women can't! Also, larger women suffer back pain, and lots of men prefer small breasts on their ladies. Now, I'm definitely not dissing women with large chests, just showing the benefits of smaller breasts.


 The lesson here is, there's really no definition of perfection, nor is there a definition of beautiful. Beauty is unique. Every woman is born unique, every woman is born beautiful.




http://www.sheknows.com/health-and-wellness/articles/842543/5-body-flaws-that-are-beautiful

Model Requirements: When will the discrimination end?!

Okay, so we all know there's many requirements for models, to be tall, thin, have perfect skin, perfect hair, etc. Today I will be targeting height and skin.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but most women aren't 6 feet tall. The average height for women in the U.S is 5'4. The minimum for runway models is about 5'8. Helllooooo where are they finding these models?!? Well, there ARE allot of models in North America that are European, and have been naturally gifted with the required height and waif-ish frames... Anyway, the point is, runway models shouldn't all be tall, it's so unrealistic for 6 feet tall women to represent designs. Sure, there should be some tall women, but also average women and petites! For myself, as an 5'6 average girl, can't see myself in allot of the things models wear on the runway. It's like oooh look at that super cute maxi dress on that super tall model!! I want it! Oh wait, never mind, I'd just drown in it...Designers need to pick a variety of models so people can actually see if they might look good in their clothes. It is terribly rude to discriminate against shorties!One thing I definitely appreciated coming from the world of modelling was the season for petites on America's Next Top Model. Those small girls were amazing models, they proved that you don't have to be tall to be a star.


As for skin, we know that the pictures most models in magazines have been edited, to make them look perfect and poreless. I see these ads, and I laugh. I don't know about you, but most humans i know have pores, big and small. We see that most runway models do have gorgeous skin, and don't have many skin issues. Their skin is so nice that they can wear loads of makeup and not get one pimple. Excuse me, wanna trade skin please? Of course, designers want to show their clothes on beautiful models, but their lack of blemishes is kind of intimidating, and once again, NOT REALISTIC. Sure, I know a few people who have perfect skin, and I am honestly jealous, but a woman doesn't need perfect skin to be beautiful. Most girls I know have zits. I sure as heck too, n top of many other skin issues. Many times I have wished to see a model with imperfect skin, to be able to relate, with no luck. The leaders in the fashion industry should develop a little compassion for average people, and maybe choose some models that aren't exactly "perfect" to make us feel a tad better about ourselves!