By Definition a Model is a person who is employed for the purpose of displaying and promoting fashion clothing or other products and for advertising or promotional purposes or who poses for works of art.
But in Black Hollywood aka Atlanta that word is over used and abused. I'm here to explain the art of modeling and what are the basic requirements In general, mainstream female high fashion models are tall, thin, and beautiful. Mainstream range - 5'9" to 5'11" with outer fringe being 5'8" to 6" with the extremely rare exception down to 5'5" and as tall as 6'1".General descriptive terms for the "model look." The industry looks for someone who is small to medium boned, fit but not buff. With a long graceful swan like neck, a square jaw and high strong cheek bones. The eyes should be wide set, almond shaped and even, with thick eyelashes. Skin should be clear, small pored, even toned with no scares, tattoos, or piercing. Lips should be medium to full and teeth should be straight and white. Shoulder should be broad and squared and you should have a long legged look (more leg then torso). You should have good posture and be able to carry yourself gracefully. Hair should be healthy and in good condition.
With that being said if your 5'9 and below taking pictures in the bathroom, swimsuits, or holding your breast or anything of that sort, please stop calling yourself a model. The art form of modeling is to be respected and not looked upon as a groupie activity. In Atlanta I've noticed alot of "models" exploiting themselves they will do any project just to gain any exposure. So sometimes I hesitate to tell people I model, because the High Fashion couture career I'm pursuing is getting over shadowed by the rest of the "models" in Atlanta.
I randomly asked several males this question " If a female in Atlanta tell you shes a model, what are your first thoughts?" see responses below
"Most women i come in contact with who claim to be a model just think putting on swim suits and taking pics holding their breast makes them a model"
"Honestly, when I hear that, it goes in one ear and out the other...almost a turn off..."
"Yea who doesn't "
"Where do you work"
"I don't run into many "models" in ATL"
So YOU think your a "MODEL" ???if your pictures look ANYTHING like this
Aspire to be better! turning your azz up to the camera requires no skill or talent on the models part. Rather you realize it or not your degrading yourself in the process.
I prefer to be true to myself, even at the hazard of incurring the ridicule of others, rather than to be false, and to incur my own abhorrence.-Frederick Douglass:
Girl speak the truth. That last pic makes one look like a hoe/stripper instead of a model. That's why women should always value themselves. They call themselves queens but often act like something other than royalty.
ReplyDeleteI must take issue with your statement that models are 'beautiful' when that determination is subjective. All models are objectified for their bodies; whether one is tall and thin or curvaceous and short is of no consequence. You are being judged on your physical appearance. You cannot admonish "not models" for using their physical appearance (big booty)for work in 'ethnic' publications; they are getting paid for their work just as you are.
ReplyDeleteI can understand your frustration with the perception of your profession but to attempt to establish what a model is and is not gives the impression that full figured, petite, niche or any other non traditional model is less than serious, and less than relevant.
Stating that models do not have tattoos or piercings is incorrect, lest we forget Omahyra Mota, some agencies will take models with body art and piercings. They have airbrush and Photoshop for that nowadays.
If you dislike the way your industry is perceived you can always use your knowledge to change it (ala Tyra Banks)or advocate for more quality use of models in general. I can't fault these women for working in the available jobs slots considering no one is breaking down doors to hire high end models of color.
There are some models that would be insulted that you, an African American woman, dares call herself worthy of working HIGH END COUTURE. The establishment of high end beauty that you are defending does not return the favor considering that only 16% of all modeling jobs go to women of color.
By typecasting the type of person that qualifies as a model you are doing the same thing to others as the traditional modeling industry has historically done to all non-whites.
I truly appreciate your comment but you seem to miss my point completely.
ReplyDeleteLauryn Hill says it best."Showing off your azz 'cause you're thinking it's a trend Girlfriend, let me break it down for you again"
Its about RESPECT and the reason myself and other models like me gain none, is because of the pictures I displayed in my post. What I stated in my blog are FACTS, African American models Alek Wek, Chanel Iman etc fit into those standards. They carry themselves with respect and dignity. Instead looking like someone who works in the adult entertainment industry.
The requirements aren't written in stone and most models have tattoos, I have 3 myself, what my point is, the term model is a term that is over used and abused, taking amateur pictures, in bathing suits, in the bathroom, or showing your azz to the camera is NOT MODELING...not even close. I respect the full-figure models, women with curves, just because we have these assets doesn't mean we must exploit ourselves for exposure
A few notes on the above comment
ReplyDeleteBeautiful is as subjective as calling model 'work' being half naked for the sake of exploitation and not true art.
Never have I met a model- a serious model, one who actually has potential to be in actual runway/print, who would portray herself in a manner that is degrading or inappropriate just for an "available slot" in a music video or "model" magazines.
Arkeedah, you are worthy of WHATEVER you set your mind to. Anyone who is insulted that you put yourself on a higher level is simple-minded and a term that they probably use often, "a HATER".
By stating the FACTS you are not typecasting anything. Designers use certain measurements when making their clothes and look for models that size to fit in them (DUH).
Maybe i've missed something but when have you ever seen these "curvaceous" model in any print or runway?
Yes, the industry has a very small amount of women of color portrayed in many areas, however, we as women must put ourselves on a higher plane, not needlessly downgrading ourselves just to be seen. Once you are perceived in a negative connotation towards the modeling industry, it's very difficult to prove otherwise.
Tyra is helping women by showing them what the industry wants and how to get yourself there. I've never heard her defending the women in the Tip Drill video.
"ethnic publications" hmm.... so as I flip through Ebony and look through the fashion articles... yep! just as I thought. No ass shots or exposed breasts.
Airbrushing and Photoshop can't be used in real life sweetheart. Tattoos and extreme piercings are a distraction on the runway and takes away from the designs.
Obviously, not understanding the industry and just hearing bits and pieces from media outlets would cause people to think and speak like the comment above.
It is better to be thought wise the open your mouth and remove all doubt.
A few notes on the above comment
ReplyDeleteBeautiful is as subjective as calling model 'work' being half naked for the sake of exploitation and not true art.
Never have I met a model- a serious model, one who actually has potential to be in actual runway/print, who would portray herself in a manner that is degrading or inappropriate just for an "available slot" in a music video or "model" magazines.
Arkeedah, you are worthy of WHATEVER you set your mind to. Anyone who is insulted that you put yourself on a higher level is simple-minded and a term that they probably use often, "a HATER".
By stating the FACTS you are not typecasting anything. Designers use certain measurements when making their clothes and look for models that size to fit in them (DUH).
Maybe i've missed something but when have you ever seen these "curvaceous" model in any print or runway?
Yes, the industry has a very small amount of women of color portrayed in many areas, however, we as women must put ourselves on a higher plane, not needlessly downgrading ourselves just to be seen. Once you are perceived in a negative connotation towards the modeling industry, it's very difficult to prove otherwise.
Tyra is helping women by showing them what the industry wants and how to get yourself there. I've never heard her defending the women in the Tip Drill video.
"ethnic publications" hmm.... so as I flip through Ebony and look through the fashion articles... yep! just as I thought. No ass shots or exposed breasts.
Airbrushing and Photoshop can't be used in real life sweetheart. Tattoos and extreme piercings are a distraction on the runway and takes away from the designs.
Obviously, not understanding the industry and just hearing bits and pieces from media outlets would cause people to think and speak like the comment above.
It is better to be thought wise the open your mouth and remove all doubt.