life of a model

“Twenty years ago, the average fashion model weighed 8 percent less than the average woman. Today, she weighs 23 percent less, it said. Plus-size models have shrunk, too. A decade ago, plus-size models averaged between size 12 and size 18. Today, the majority of plus-size models an agency boards are between size 6 and size 14, the magazine said, based on its own research.” (Lovett).

Also mentioned in the ABC News story is a photo from PLUS Model Magazine that displays a nude, thin runway model entwined with a nude, plus sized model. This photo was captured to show the dramatic, but beautiful difference between the two women and to show viewers that both women are successful and beautiful even though their dress sizes are different. In the piece, an interview with famous model Beverly Johnson took place where she was able to give her opinion on the issue with the sizes of today’s models, “I think the whole obsession of being thin — I see more women and sometimes men that are super, super thin than in any time in history,” she said. “My daughter is a plus-size model,” she added, “and she’s one of my heroes because she’s one of the warriors that are going out and saying, ‘Listen, we need to embrace our bodies and love our bodies as they are.’” (Johnson).

One important and eye opening interview that took place in May of 2013 was with former Victoria’s Secret Model Kylie Bisutti, where she describes the hardships and moral wrecking challenges that come with being a fashion model. In 2009 she won a competition to be a Victoria’s Secret Angel (model) but after a few years she resigned from the business for her morals and health. She explains that she and the other models went through vigorous diets and workouts to maintain their bodies a...

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... like fashion trends. Many of you are saying, “What the heck am i supposed to be?” Exactly who you are right now: that’s who you need to be.” (Banks).

Being a model in today’s world is obviously a challenge and it comes with a lot of obstacles and critic. Even though changes are taking place such as fashion councils turning away anorexic women and magazines such as PLUS Model or Vogue using their publicity to make a difference, the world of modeling still has a long way to go. As time goes on, models and even plus sized models are getting smaller while society as a whole is getting bigger. It’s a sad truth, but until something drastic happens and raises awareness for these women that live a life of hunger and dissatisfaction, the fashion industry will have the same tall, skinny high standards that normal, real life girls and women will always work and strive for.