People often think of modeling as a glamorous job that is simply about looking beautiful and having your picture taken. Though this statement holds truth, many problems lurk beneath the surface of an industry that affects models and the way they are perceived in society.
Everyone is aware that to become a runway model, one must have a skinny and delicate figure. However, the extent to where this expectation is pushed is detrimental to the health of models. Ulrikke Hayer, a model who was going to walk for a Louis Vuitton cruise show, revealed on her Instagram post in May 2017 that she was told “to drink only water for the next 24 hours”. When Hayer refused to do so, she was canceled from the show for “being too big.” Hayer said that she was grateful for already having an established career when this incident happened, but she recognized the harmful impact for younger girls who aspire to be models since these expectations often lead them to develop eating disorders and body dysmorphia.
There are few clear borders in the fashion industry. Sexual abuse and harassment is far more common in modeling because models are often treated as props rather than human beings. Many models, especially new ones, are often scared to speak out against the abuse because it can jeopardize their career. A study conducted by Model Alliance in 2012 revealed that 29.7% of models have experienced sexual assault and 28% of them have been pressured to have sex with someone at work. Models have even reported that their agents encourage them to sleep with people in stronger positions if they want to advance their career faster.
Brevity and financial instability also go hand in hand with a modeling career. Though there are some iconic models out there like Naomi Campbell and Kate Moss who have had their career for over two decades, most models work long hours and earn very little. If someone wants to become a model, he/she has to pay for their own expenses which often leads models into debt.
But let’s assume that a new model does eventually make it to the prestigious catwalks in Paris and New York. Is his/her career finally stable after earning that spotlight he/she worked so hard to achieve? In other industries this would be the case, but not for modeling. The president of the modeling agency Next Models London stated that designers prefer to hire models that are not too well-known because it helps “create an image of uniformity which then means the clothes stand out within the show.” A top model, Karlie Kloss, confirmed this in an interview with Vanity Fair when she claimed that designers told her “she’s too famous” to walk in their shows which means “no one will pay attention to the clothes.”
The moment someone signs onto an agency to become a model, it becomes hard to speak out against the injustices since models are just meant to be seen and not heard. But through social media, models have found a platform to share their experiences with modeling. Their voices are powerful because fashion companies—such as Valentino and Bulgari—have begun to take action from these complaints.
Not all models experience these problems in the industry, but it happens way too often to be overlooked.
Everyone is aware that to become a runway model, one must have a skinny and delicate figure. However, the extent to where this expectation is pushed is detrimental to the health of models. Ulrikke Hayer, a model who was going to walk for a Louis Vuitton cruise show, revealed on her Instagram post in May 2017 that she was told “to drink only water for the next 24 hours”. When Hayer refused to do so, she was canceled from the show for “being too big.” Hayer said that she was grateful for already having an established career when this incident happened, but she recognized the harmful impact for younger girls who aspire to be models since these expectations often lead them to develop eating disorders and body dysmorphia.
There are few clear borders in the fashion industry. Sexual abuse and harassment is far more common in modeling because models are often treated as props rather than human beings. Many models, especially new ones, are often scared to speak out against the abuse because it can jeopardize their career. A study conducted by Model Alliance in 2012 revealed that 29.7% of models have experienced sexual assault and 28% of them have been pressured to have sex with someone at work. Models have even reported that their agents encourage them to sleep with people in stronger positions if they want to advance their career faster.
Brevity and financial instability also go hand in hand with a modeling career. Though there are some iconic models out there like Naomi Campbell and Kate Moss who have had their career for over two decades, most models work long hours and earn very little. If someone wants to become a model, he/she has to pay for their own expenses which often leads models into debt.
But let’s assume that a new model does eventually make it to the prestigious catwalks in Paris and New York. Is his/her career finally stable after earning that spotlight he/she worked so hard to achieve? In other industries this would be the case, but not for modeling. The president of the modeling agency Next Models London stated that designers prefer to hire models that are not too well-known because it helps “create an image of uniformity which then means the clothes stand out within the show.” A top model, Karlie Kloss, confirmed this in an interview with Vanity Fair when she claimed that designers told her “she’s too famous” to walk in their shows which means “no one will pay attention to the clothes.”
The moment someone signs onto an agency to become a model, it becomes hard to speak out against the injustices since models are just meant to be seen and not heard. But through social media, models have found a platform to share their experiences with modeling. Their voices are powerful because fashion companies—such as Valentino and Bulgari—have begun to take action from these complaints.
Not all models experience these problems in the industry, but it happens way too often to be overlooked.