For many young girls, the idea of becoming a fashion model is far-fetched, but still desired. Many models are looked up to for their seemingly perfect bodies and beauty they possess. However, behind the camera is a very intense lifestyle that most do not see, and this lifestyle is not always positive.
To say that modeling is extremely competitive is an understatement. The entire industry is based upon who has the prettiest face, the smallest waist, the best walk, etc. Full-time models feel the stresses of maintaining a slender body so they can book more gigs.
For many companies, a brand is looking for women of a specific size—one that tends to be quite small—to represent their brand. Though all body types should be accepted and are beautiful, some of these women go to extremes.
According to The Telegraph, a former model stated, “My modelling career lasted for three years and . . . I’ve had anorexia for eight.” Eating disorders are so prevalent in the industry that it has become almost a norm.
Stereotypes for these models include fasting, over exercising, and not treating their bodies properly. From all of these pressures, it can lead these women to push themselves too far.
According to the Washington Post, Ana Carolina Reston, former model, died aged 21 with a weight of 80 pounds. In fact one in four models in London have an eating disorder, and this is incredibly common in the industry.
Women are told to lose weight to fit into sample sizes of brands, and to appear more attractive to consumers. This takes a toll of the self esteem of these young girls and can lead them down a dark path. Modeling is a very intimate thing—it is between a model and the photographer to capture perfect images to sell a product or represent a brand. In other words, it is personal. Many models, however, are pressured into getting more personal than they would like.
Listverse touches on the controversy regarding former founder of American Apparel, Dov Charney. Charney assaulted models during photoshoots, forcing them to be topless, nude, or semi nude. This, unfortunately, is far from uncommon as many models are told that they will make more money or become famous if they shoot nude sets, or even go as far to have sexual relations with photographers and CEOs to sleep their way to the top as has been the stigma of the modeling industry for years.
Girls in the fashion world sometimes sign away the rights to their bodies through contracts. Companies will hold this over their heads while dressing them provocatively, putting them in photoshoots they do not like, and doing things that make them uncomfortable.
Women with average body types are told to either lose weight to fit into straight sizes, or gain weight to fit into plus sizes. Even in our world of body acceptance, the industry is incredibly harsh.
Models are extremely relevant in pop culture, but that does not mean that their lives consist of nothing but glamour. This speaks to the lack of respect by coworkers and day to day dangers regarding who they could potentially work with.
While self-esteem-boosting for some, the industry requires a thick skin and preparation for disappointment, still without fail in encouraging young girls to become victims of such a brutal and adult run world.
