The Stereo Standards of the Modeling Industry
I would obviously be in denial if I told myself that the standards of being a model and what type of individual is considered "model-worthy" is not blatantly stereotypical. How many of us recognize that the "average" woman is NOT 5'8" and taller, nor is she thin as paper? Curvaceous is an unheard word in high-dollar modeling gigs.Oh, yes, there are plus-size models, and they are in "demand," but again, not if you're under 5'8". Everytime I think of that, I grit my teeth and pretend that it doesn't grind my nerves. I --along with many others-- find myself to be quite attractive; I have exotic, sensual features that some women would kill to have. I have taken striking photos in a shoot, and have a natural grace about me that is enviable. The only problem? I am 5'1". I do not fit the "standard" of a beauty model, and will likely never walk a runway for paid work, all due to my height. It doesn't matter whether I can work that runway better than some of the models paid top dollar do today, it doesn't matter that my shape is complementary to the shape of many petite women. I will not get to work a runway show simply because I am not "tall enough." And to top it all off, I am a woman of color --and rather than fight the waves of unjustice, fight the stereotypes that a model has to be thin, without curves and tall as the average man, modeling agencies specializing in working with women of color feed into the stereotype and request the same ridiculous standards, they follow the same agenda. Shorter women (of color) are prevented from walking runways, working for certain companies and just downright turned away because they don't meet the ridiculous "standards" of the industry. Not only do we hold a disadvantage for being women of color, we don't have the shape of Cindy Crawford (because we obviously don't look like Cindy Crawford), which easily makes us targets for denial. I wish that discussing it, blogging about it, and bringing attention to the matter would make a difference, but it's way too late in the game. And the game has shown and proven that it will not be changed, no matter who or what thinks they can tackle it full force. When we (as people and citizens) do not set the standards how we best see fit, they are chosen for us.....And at the end of the day, we are expected to abide by them, simply because we sat idle when they were chosen. We turned the other cheek and let someone do the "dirty work" for us, and now we have a heavy price to pay for it: the standard never changes.
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 | Funmilayo A. | 2009-07-28 10:00 | Way to go gurl! Hey, people have been complaining about this issue. I read an article on it last week too. Some say there are less women of color in modeling nowadays and I guess that is true. Have you also noticed that those successful women of color that actually get to make it to the top are usually dark? The light skinned ones don't get much jobs. The agencies want really slim and tall ladies. Even the so called plus size ladies are not that big. They just look like the normal everyday ladies.
As for your size, there are some exceptions but 5'1"! I don't think so but who knows? You could be lucky. If it's in you, you'll get there. I guess it has to do with confidence and determination. Apart from Runway, you can do other types of modeling so, why not start from there? If you are very good, you could get a runway job. |
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