18th Nov 2005
I Was Thinking The Other Day…..
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I was sitting with a “FANTABULOUS” colleague of mine the other day having lunch in Flint, MI (that is her in the cool pic wearing the shades) and we were just doing our normal chit chat of the day, when it dawned on me….should models know about the fashion industry than the normal knowledge of who Gucci, Prada, and Fendi are?
I asked a few models from the show I am touring with at the table next to us what fashion designers or retailers did they admire and here are some responses: Armani, Gucci, Baby Phat, Marshall’s, Loeman’s, Yves Saint Laurent, Chanel, Versace, Dolce & Gabbana, Tall Girl, etc. Their answers, unfortunately, really did not surprise me. I kind of felt sad that the only names in fashion they could think of were so typical. No Comme des Garcons, or Dries Van Noten, or Jil Sander, or Chaiken, etc. Which made me wonder if their knowledge of the industry that they are so desperately trying to enter is as typical as the answers they gave me? Is it really beneficial that they read up on the history of fashion, how and what makes a particular garment, who’s who in photography, styling, writing, etc, or will their pretty faces and semi-perfect bodies (yes semi! only Photoshop deems their bodies to be perfect) carry them through the world of fashion and modeling?
My answer: Yes, models should want to learn every facet of the fashion industry and just not focus solely on modeling. I believe that makes a better and more well-rounded model. And it doesn’t hurt to kill that stereotype that models know NOTHING!!!! I mean look at Tyra Banks, Iman, Heidi Klum, and Christy Turlington. They have succeeded in the modeling industry 10 fold and are smart enough to know that a pretty face and nice frame can get you so far. They’ve catapulted their careers into media, fashion, books, cosmetics, even the lecture circuit. These models -if they haven’t had their job stolen by celebrities- grace numerous magazine covers, advertisements, television spots, etc. and whether they know it or not, like it or not, they are role models to millions of little girls that idolize them. Why shouldn’t they be cultured and educated enough in their industry and others and show many little girls yes, you can be beautiful both inside and out, and carry an intelligent conversation.
Now that I’ve done my rant….What do my readers think? Should models be knowledgeable about other facets within the fashion industry besides modeling, or should they be only seen and not heard? My fellow fashionistas lend me your responses, I am listening!
-Tenisha
Posted by Tenisha @ 3:30 am
November 18th, 2005 at 1:49 pm
The best models do understand fashion references, both broad and obscure. The best designers know how to sew a garment from scratch. Unfortunately these are rare souls. Should they learn? Yes. Will they bother? Don’t bet on it.
Found your blog through Almost Girl’s Black Friday series… I have linked:)
November 19th, 2005 at 8:59 am
Models simply walk down the aisle looking beautiful. Aside from posture, balance, and weight training (read anorexia) they really don’t need to know the history behind the designers and the clothes that they wear.
November 26th, 2005 at 3:44 pm
I believe models should know about the fashion industry. They shouldn’t just focus on getting the job, but also focus on who are their employees. For example if some one is an animal activist they would not look into taking the job of a model for a clothing line that consists of fur, leather, and snakeskin. It is a person’s obligation to look in their employer’s history. It is important that a model should know the background history of a company since they are affiliated with the world of fashion. Fashion models represent an element of fashion. They give an understanding, a grace and concept of a designer’s creation. They illustrate whether the designer’s line is couture, urban, youthful, or sophisticated. Knowing the basics will not get you far in any industry. There is no one really instructing a model on what they should know and not know. It’s all up to an individual to fill themselves of knowledge of the industry. Having great knowledge of the modeling and fashion industry does in deed make a model a well rounded person. It shows they know about fashion’s past, present, and they can be essential to representing it in the future. Being beautiful is an advantage, but having a powerful mind will open continuous doorways. Modeling is a job. To be a good candidate for a job you have to have great credentials to your name. Besides having credentials a model should show uniqueness and endeavor to the history. It is not “cool†to do and like what everybody is into. Whether if a person is a model, doctor, or cook is important for them to pave their own way. A model’s main purpose comes from a physical nature, but they should also reach out and exemplify that they are born with a unique mind of their own.