Cameras flashing around, and everyone’s center of attention is only one person; the model. From her head to toe, everything needs to be perfect. Because that is the way models are, they are “perfect”. Or they need to be perfect for the camera, for the runway, or those thousands of clicks. However, being perfect in front of the world is nowhere near too easy. They need to hide their struggle of sleepless nights under concealer. And giving up is never an option. Because no one becomes a model in one day. It is the result of many rejections, hard work, and sweat. While showing off the glamorous sight to the world, many models’ lives are being put at risk. But at what cost?
Nonetheless, every industry has its ups and downs and a dark side. The glamorous industry of modeling looks bright and shiny from the outside. Meanwhile, behind the perfect photos and glamour there lies so much pain, tears, and anxiety only models know. Sometimes more success brings more depression and stress along with it. And one needs to have a strong mental ability to face it and yet overcome it from all.
Negative body image
How do we often like to picture a model? Someone who is thin and tall but not curvy right? While flipping through the fashion magazine or watching any fashion show does the “perfectly thin” body allure you as well? And that eventually becomes our ultimate goal. This is nothing but the negative body image stereotype that the fashion industry has created. The displaying of unhealthy body types is one of the biggest issues that the fashion world has created. Meanwhile, the youths are convinced by the fact that to become a model they need to look so too. Same way, the models with curvy bodies face an extreme fear of getting rejected and insecure about their bodies as well. To get the “perfect thin” figure they become determined and ready to do everything. This, however, can bring a high risk for their lives.
Mental Health is never stable
Stable mental health becomes an American dream for many models. One day they may get rejected for being too fat and too thin the other day. As if modeling and rejection go hand in hand. Every day they may get a new reason to become insecure about their body. The imbalance in sleep routine, goals to become number one can cause enough damage for depression and anxiety.
Inferior complex
The last thing any model wants to hear is you are too fat, too thin or you do not have that skin. However, the obsession of the modeling industry with light skin models creates an inferior complex. As if there is a hangover of fair skin tone. This makes the dark-skinned models face racism and insecurity. Furthermore, this is becoming a type of stereotype where a model gets rejected because of her skin color.
How it truly feels to be a fashion model
Strangers had more power over my body than me. They could order me to lose weight or change my hair color. I was nothing but a human doll available to rent 24/7 in the name of beauty- says Leanne Maskell who became a model at just 13. Focusing on her statement, one can imagine what kind of situations a model has to go through. However, Leanne published her book named The Model Manifesto. Furthermore, she also mentions that the made-up photoshopped versions of her on magazine covers made the model feel worse than before. Every day she had to face a new struggle to fit in. Meanwhile, the sole purpose of publishing the book was to help change the way society views modeling.
“Grueling, not glitzy” can perfectly define the modeling industry. It is, however, far less glamorous than they appear. And Leanne Maskell is just an example of reality. Many fashion models have witnessed the worst scenario to achieve their goals. While growing up, many young girls want to become fashion models. And the wrong display of fashion ideas can harm them from the beginning. The continuous glamorous competition can also turn their lives upside down. In this scenario, the fashion icons and the fashion industry have their work to do. Young people or aspiring models look up to other big names for idolizing. Therefore, theory can try to raise their voices against all the situations. This would help to create a huge impact on the youth and the industry as well.
Also read: Trailblazers of the Fashion Industry