I was recently at a beauty-related event where models were used to show off the product. Most of the models there were of the fashion variety – very tall and extremely thin. This is quite common at non-fashion events I’ve attended and I’ve always pondered on why it is. After all, the models there were present for beauty demonstrations, whether it be hair or make-up, not there to show clothing (and even then, I feel that it’s society and the fashion industry which have brainwashed us into believing that tall and thin work best).
Are tall models (like the ones wearing blue pants) necessary for beauty demonstrations?
I know that some of you out there would suggest that it has to do with the roster modelling agencies have. However, one doesn’t have to work with the big, fashion-related companies. There are other agencies in this city, including the much-talked about Ben Barry Agency where many of the models are larger than size 14. Why not find models there? While fashion designers might make very small sample sizes, hair and make-up know no size (or height), and no age, at that. Most girls start wearing make-up when they’re very young (age 12/Grade 7 seems to be common, at least when I was in middle school back in the early 90s. I started using lip gloss on occasion around that age and by the time I was 14, was also using blush, mascara, eye shadow and foundation) and I think it’s a good idea to use a broad age range. However, we are NOT seeing this. Instead, we are seeing the same types of models one finds on the runway. How is that appropriate? How is that relatable?
Organizers really need to reexamine where they find models for beauty-related events. We always talk about wanting more diversity, size, ethnicity, age and so forth. While size can be an issue for the runway (until designers decide to make larger sample sizes or use shorter models), why not start with beauty? I don’t think it changes anything if the model in a beauty demonstration (or ad, for that matter) was 5’3″ and size 16. She’s there to show people what a product does, and as long as it works, it’s all good.
What are your thoughts on this issue? Do you think runway-sized fashion models are necessary for beauty events? Why do you think they’re preferred?
A version of this article was also published in the Huffington Post.
