Rise Of the Real People

I think most of things I've been hearing people in the Fashion Industry (trend setters, talk show hosts, fashion shows, etc.) say about all the model's new weight rules, etc ....are playing the "real girl" as if this a new thing. The TRUTH is the new models weigh about 5 pounds more than the anorexic ones. I really don't see any change at all - but I do hear alot of brain-washing rhetoric going on about fashion.
I'm sure the gentleman who's "blog photography" is very artistic - which leads me to say that Art is in the eye of the beholder. Why not keep it transparent and admit that he's using models who embody his style and technique? Why does EVERYTHING have to represent a "new - real model" look? It all just seems silly to me.
I'm not saying that

Did the author fail to imagine that the people discussing and showing interest in street style ALSO have an interest in traditional fashion models as well? For people intested in fashion, there isn't a brick wall between the runway and what people wear on the street. You can take inspiration from everything. I can appreciate the beauty of a delicate looking model on the runway, but I'm also able to appreciate a great outfit on a "normal" person. These things aren't mutually exclusive. And why does the article keep using the term "real models" to describe non-models? To put it bluntly, clothes look differently on fashion models than they do on the average person. It is much more difficult for a designer to fit a group of people that don't adhere to a set standard size. I don't think there will be a "Rise of the Real People" anytime soon.

So if the "real world" can't be a zero, why does the "real world" have to be plus sized. Get real. The next generation for the FIRST time will have a shorter lifespan than the previous one due to....tada OBESITY. Is the REAL enough for you?

I am surprised that people don't understand that only Runway models are the tall ones! You can be shorter, and as long as you are fit and healthy, you can find a modeling agency that fits you. Fashion models aren't necessarily Runway models. Plus, there are the 'Big, Bold, Beautiful' models.

MillaR - If you're trying to weed some sort of deep dark confession out of me I'm afraid I have none to offer for your pleasure. Unfortunately [for you] I simply make consious decisions about what I put in my body out of respect for my body. And yes, it is hard work, as I'm sure you know. BUT that's the reality - the choice. And YES I DO BELIEVE THAT MOST PEOPLE PLAY THE VICTIM because that is the easy way out. It is a lot of work to be aware and make consious decisions that impact your health. I won't ever apologize to you or anyone for that. And I do believe that many of those 'teenage girls' are responding to the pressure their mothers are placing on them to look and act a certain way, if you must know. There's loads of research from respected sources such as The Renfrew Center on the psychology behind eating disorders. It RARELY has anything to do a photograph and is usually tied to emotional or physical abuse, emotional issues, depression and other psychological sources...not the runway.

Beauty is in the hands of women now. Men can have opinions and input, but it is up to women to set the pace. It's easy to say "I love my body" but then six months later that same woman is 30lbs lighter. I feel that women are too easily distracted by outside influences. Notice that a majority of this thread is centered on women's bodies and sizes and rarely mentions men's. Men are part of the modeling world too. A model needs work and I imagine that for many, work can be hard to come by. So if a model has to lose 10lbs to get booked, they most likely will do it. A person's self worth, their health (both physical and mental) and self respect are very important. This is not an easy issue, but as a registered nurse, I really do feel that good health should come first in everyone's life.

Life is too short to worry about 5 or 10 pounds. As long as ppl are happy with themselves then let them be the size they want. Who cares if someone is overweight or underweight, we arent the ones to judge others. If people would look at the real person inside we would realize everyone has their own beauty within.

tingbao, anorexics live in a very private hell. Some view thinspiration websties featuring models and actresses, but they "use" these sites and barely talk about it, much less talk to other anos! I doubt she would have talkted to you about it. Nevada---at least you know the fake goddesses are fake. Personally, I find the women from the 70's sexiest. Those naked bodies were 100% real. Much sexier, dontcha think? I doubt the majority of men would care to see a 40 year old in the centerfold of Playboy, but I would bet many would. As long as she's nakes, right? LOL. But we are discussing selling women's apparel here, and how body image relates to that---not about porn models. LOL

I see quite a number of people who automatically took this article to mean that just because stick-thin models weren't going to be used, obese people were. I didn't gather that at all! I think we WILL see more healthy, marathoners in the mix, as well as middle-aged gorgeous people. I like the comment that stilettopunkstar made, as well. Openly chastising very thin people is no more acceptable than commenting on the weight of the obese! As it seems an author's height and weight are tantamount to the post's validity, I am 5'8" tall and weigh a muscular 142 pounds...and I love my body! I'd love to see sizes 6, 8, and 10 instead of the typical size 0s!

I agree with the people on here who feel as though only the two extremes are being addressed. The person that is so materially warped and was talking about how image is everything and that your daughter will never be fat, feel sorry for you and more so for your daughter.
Personally I believe models should be thin, but in a healthy way. I don't like looking at the hollowed out sadness that they project currently. The marathon runner had a good point, in that not all thin looks sickly. Why don't they change the height requirement a bit and start recruiting models, ballet dancers, swimmers etc to model. Those are the women who truly exude self confidence and health in a beautiful way.
I would also like to make a final point about the girl whose doctor but her on a diet at 124 lbs, get a new doctor. I have always been "heavy" for my size due to a mixture of heavy bone, muscle mass, and large chest. I am 155 lbs at 5'7, but have a 27 inch waist, which by no means makes me fat. I work out a lot and have a very toned body. I did some modeling a while back for a lingerie company, and because I wear a size 7/8 I was modeling "plus sizes" which is ridulous.

Well i think that this is actually a good start. Looking at women on the tv who look like practical stick is in fact nice but let be real will anyone who actually eats and does everything normal actually look like that. I am a teen and i had problems with underweight y? Because you feel left out and you see everybody else that is thin and popular of course you want to be like them. But to say the truth not everyone looks nice thin. Many girls do it for different purposes but which ever it is its probably not worth it. Im at a normal weight now and have no problems at all yes its not good to be overweight and be on a runway show because that is not what everyday people look like. But looking at walking sticks do this stuff isn't either.

No one's going to answer me, but how do you guys feel about non-standard sized designers? Shouldn't they have a chance to shine? Especially petite designers? Short women are more ignored when it comes to media/fashion industry than larger, average-heighted women. Many of us don't want to buy old lady styles nor do we want to shop at the little girls' department!

I have noticed that "curvy" seems to be the PC way to say "fat". In all the articles and ads where "curvy" is used the pictures show us women that most would describe as fat. Abnormally thin and bony is no more attractive than fat. As someone said, healthy is what's beautiful.

I'm just worried that the message of "love your body no matter the size" and "curvy (read: fat) is beautiful" is just as damaging a message for young girls as "thin is in". The emphasis should be a healthy lifestyle and whatever weight or shape you are as a result of *that* is beautiful.

For the record, I am 5'3" and 136lbs. I have an hourglass shape and would describe myself as curvy. Describing fat rolls as "curvy" is just semantics.

And of course no similar conversation in regard to men's body shapes will ever take place.

I think fashion models have it made: see http://www.glamourgirlcollection.com They have everything you need to become a fashion model. I really loved my first fashion show experience.

The change is lovely, but a a slim person, it hurts to see people once again say that i am not atrractive because of my size. just as it is wrong to critize people for being overweight it is wrong the other way around. Two it might send the wrong message if not excecuted properly. it could send a message to young women that it is better to be overweight than to be just plan healthy. being healthy in the skin and body shape appropriate for each person should be the focus not to judge of fat or skinny just healthy for you. Most skinny of slender people don't complaint but to be honest slender people go through jus as much hard ship as people who are overweight. To total negelt or move away from one particular group of individuals is wrong regardless of who. In America there are more Overweight people than slender, so imagine the number of slender people who are pick on and cast down more so than overweight. Also as a designer and a person who sews it is easier to buy fabric for a slimmer person. Fabric and others materials are so expensive theses days and sometimes it is easier. Also if a designer can make a pencil have curves then maybe that says alot about a designers ability to give the clothes it self movement and curves rather than depending on the models curves to bring out the clothing Just some things to concider.

Why the hell do we even care about the weight and size of our runway models ??? fashion is about the clothes and not about the size of the girl who is wearing it down the runway. The fact that they are rail thin and expressionless doesn't bother me at all. Lets be realistic, women that are 6 feet tall and weight 95 pounds are not the norm. How many women do u see walking down the street that actually look like that ?? YOU DONT !!! So, get over it and stop blamming the fact that the industry uses these type of women to sell their clothes. I'm 5'3 and I have enough sense to know that i will never be a size 0 or look like those girls nor do i want to !!!! It is your own fault if you lower yourself to an unrealistic standard just b/c the fashion industry isn't embracing what an average woman really looks like.