[iRyan]

Here's the thing: Models aren't met to look like "normal" girls. They aren't supposed to be representations of normal people. If they were, they would just grab regular random girls off the street. The truth is clothing, especially haute couture or expensive designer clothing, looks best on tall, skinny girls. Much like a mannequin. The fashion industry is all about portraying a fantasy of sort, that's rare and unique. Because that's what expensive luxury is all about.

I hate the notion that skinny or underweight = anorexic or unhealthy. HELLO, some people out there are NATURALLY thin, and many of the models on the runway ARE naturally thin - which is how they got discovered in the first place: for being, tall, thin, and looking like a model. I had how people claim just because your skinny, your not healthy. It's ridiculous. Not everyone's bodies are the same.

It'd be reasonable to use a regular or plus sized model for an average, mass commercial brand like Target or Macy's. But when it comes to designers, that's not the look they want. Because people who buy designer clothes don't want to look like everyone else.

There has been more body diversity in the modeling industry lately though, which more curvy-skinny girls on the runway, not just stick thin ones.

Take Lara Stone, for example. She is the #1 model in the world right now. And she's more curvy than most other runway models.





And also Barbara Palvin and Crystal Renn



Compared to other runway models...

[Ammi]

Originally Posted by iRyan

Here's the thing: Models aren't met to look like "normal" girls. They aren't supposed to be representations of normal people. If they were, they would just grab regular random girls off the street. The truth is clothing, especially haute couture or expensive designer clothing, looks best on tall, skinny girls. Much like a mannequin. The fashion industry is all about portraying a fantasy of sort, that's rare and unique. Because that's what expensive luxury is all about.

I hate the notion that skinny or underweight = anorexic or healthy. HELLO, some people out there are NATURALLY thin, and many of the models on the runway ARE naturally thin - which is how they got discovered in the first place: for being, tall, thin, and looking like a model. I had how people claim just because your skinny, your not healthy. It's ridiculous. Not everyone's bodies are the same.

It'd be reasonable to use a regular or plus sized model for an average, mass commercial brand like Target or Macy's. But when it comes to designers, that's not the look they want. Because people who buy designer clothes don't want to look like everyone else.

There has been more body diversity in the modeling industry lately though, which more curvy-skinny girls on the runway, not just stick thin ones.

Take Lara Stone, for example. She is the #1 model in the world right now. And she's more curvy than most other runway models.





And also Barbara Palvin and Crystal Renn



Compared to other runway models...

...good post

[iRyan]

Here's a rundown of how body size actually does differ on the runways...

[Ammi]

..they all look fairly similar LOL

[iRyan]

Originally Posted by Ammi

..they all look fairly similar LOL

Well yes, they are all skinny, but as you see the progression you can see how it changes. I mean - compare the first two pictures to the last two. There's an obvious difference.

[Ammi]

Originally Posted by iRyan

Well yes, they are all skinny, but as you see the progression you can see how it changes. I mean - compare the first two pictures to the last two. There's an obvious difference.

..yes, I can see they're slightly different...no two bodies are exactly the same....and there's 'toned' and naturally thin...they start off slim...and progress to toned I think
...it's a bit irritating when people 'knock' slim people.....it's what I am....because there's nothing we can do about it....I eat...sometimes loads....but those curves just don't happen I'm afraid

[Kizzy]

Originally Posted by Ammi

..yes, I can see they're slightly different...no two bodies are exactly the same....and there's 'toned' and naturally thin...they start off slim...and progress to toned I think
...it's a bit irritating when people 'knock' slim people.....it's what I am....because there's nothing we can do about it....I eat...sometimes loads....but those curves just don't happen I'm afraid

I think there is a big difference in the girls, the first 3 look dangerously underweight for their height. No one is knocking naturally slim people, the opposite im all for naturally slim...its abnormally skinny im opposed to it gives girls the impression that it is an acheivable norm...and its not.
The reaction from the young blokes of the forum is interesting, they dont see that image of an uber skinny girl attractive, as like alex said they look like boys.

[iRyan]

These are models that I think have the best body type: Joan Smalls, Karmen Pedaru, and Kendra Spears. They are skinny, but still very healthy looking.

[CharlieO]

I prefer skinny people. I think they look better for modelling so I say go ahead.

[Lee.]

My cousin is a model and has always been naturally thin and very tall... I can nearly get my arms round her twice, but she doesn't starve herself or take drugs to stay this way, its just the way she is. I do think though that a lot of models look ill and under nourished and are obviously purposely making themselves as skinny as possible.

I do agree clothes look better on tall, slim girls but I do worry about my daughter growing up thinking these girls are how she should look..

[Jamie.]

Skinny models should be excecuted.

[Samuel.]

Originally Posted by Jamie Pugh

Skinny models should be excecuted.

How's the anti-bully campaign going?

[Jamie.]

Originally Posted by Samuel.

How's the anti-bully campaign going?

[Lee.]

Bring back the days of the beautiful supermodels... we had Naomi, Claudia, Linda, Elle and Cindy and they looked like this..



Not this...

[Kizzy]

lol, its not the models fault. Its the designers using unaturally thin girls. The clothes would look just as lovely on someone whos ribs are not protruding ...

[Kizzy]

I'm bumping this as it's relevant to the issues in IAC, the portrayal of women in the media/fashion. The obsession with 'thigh gap' and attractiveness for everyone in the public eye.
My opinion hasn't changed, in fact I think the fixation with the impossible ideal is getting worse.
Poor Rebecca tonight feeling inadequate, even as an olympic athlete for being a size 12- 14!

[x-evenstar-x]

This is a really interesting debate, I'm a student in the fashion industry just now and it's bugs me greatly the size we have to make our collections to. We are told it's a standard British size 12 but when we took the measurements it's about the same as a store size 6.

It's true clothes do look much better on a slim tall person but I think there's a line where they become too thin, this is a video I love of Cameron Russell doing a Ted talk. http://www.ted.com/talks/cameron_rus...m_a_model.html she talks about the insecurities models feel etc.

Also I'd like to note that there are people in the fashion industry trying to make a change, but a select few can't do it alone.