Growing up in the 80s and 90s, I was a HUGE fan of our supermodels. They really did all go by their first names – Cindy, Naomi, Christy, Linda – and they were freaking goddesses! Seriously, they had long legs, great curves, big hair, and they were so off the charts. Then the heroin chic craze came, and ever since it seems like our models have gotten smaller and smaller. After a while, you kind of become numb to it. Then you read an article one day where Tyra is saying that at the size she was when she hit it big, she would not have become a star today. Hold up— you mean Tyra Banks, one of the most successful supermodels of all time, would not have been a regular model if she were modeling today?? Yep. She was a size 4 back then, and, as we are well aware, most models (and let me say, I mean the high fashion models) are a size 0 (which, how is that even a size?? 0 is a none number). Anyway, ladies, let us please remember that we do not need to compare ourselves to the incredibly skinny women who grace today’s runways. I am not calling any of them names, or saying they are too skinny. For a lot of them, that is their natural size, and I won’t diss anyone for being too small or too large. But just take a moment to see that as a society, our priorities and body guidelines have gotten completely out of whack. We are not supposed to look like broomsticks. Women are supposed to have breasts and butts. Just throwing this thought out to the masses. thus endeth the rant!
Dior Ready to Wear Spring Summer 94 show in France in 1994 – Tyra Banks. Credit: Pool ARNAL/GARCIA/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Image
- S
And even though she’s “thick” for a model, she’s still almost curve-free in comparison to the average woman I see in a bathing suit
But I guess that’s the best part about being human – how different we are from one another, and how we’re all gorgeous in our own way.
Completely agree! And yeah the 90s supermodels looked like goddesses, amazonian beauties. Not once have I seen a model look so great today, no offence. I guess it’s all about trends even regarding bodies as well unfortunately. Anyway great post! XO
You’re right… it’s kinda saddening that even body types have trends in fashion. This is why I love Chanel Iman and Victoria’s Secret. Chanel Iman felt she was too skinny and did not feel like a woman and has actively voiced her opinion and even gained some weight.
Victoria’s Secret will fire models who are too thin. VS target market are women with curves. That’s why Candice Swanpoel (sorry if i misspelled her name) was almost let go.
Forgive me if I’m wrong but doesn’t designer clothing normally start at size 4? I do believe so and then size 0 to 1 is basically the equivalent in ‘regular’ branding.
I say that because all my jeans are size 0 – 1, but I wear size 4 in designer branded clothes. So I’m thinking she was basically a zero! Anyway, I do understand your point. A lot of these models today do look ‘anorexically thin.’ I was actually thinking that after viewing the Barbara Bui collection recently!
I think S meant that the models themselves are a size zero. However, you are right, typically the runway clothes are a size four. Certain designers are notorious for hiring waif thin models to showcase their line because they want clothes just “hang” on them, so to speak. They want their clothes to be the center of attention rather than the model.
Runway modeling has always gone back and forth with the size of the models, but it seems as this go around girls and young women open up magazines and this is what society is presenting as the essence of beauty, when it is not.
Let me tell you, I tried out for America’s Next Top Model one year and I was sitting between these two girls. One asked the other girl what size she was. The girl replied back, “I’m a size four.” The first girl then replies, “Oh, you won’t make it… you’re considered plus sized. I’m a size zero, that’s what they want.”
I wanted to commit an act of violence to that girl’s face. Considering I was also a size four.
-K
PS: I enjoy reading all your comments.
I agree with you that a woman ought to have breasts and butt. otherwise we are simply men walking around with a vagina.