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A model is a person who poses or displays for purposes of art, fashion, or other products and advertising.
Modeling is distinguished from other types of public performance, such as an acting, dancing or mime artistry, although the boundary is not well defined. Appearing in a movie or a play is generally not considered to be modeling, regardless of the nature of the role. However, models generally have to express emotion in their photographs, and many models have also described themselves as actors. Types of models include glamour, fashion, fitness, bikini, fine-art, and body-part models.
Fashion
Fashion models are used mainly to promote apparel. Fashion Modeling generally can be divided into the following sub-categories:
- Fashion catwalk or runway modeling
- Fashion editorial modeling
- Fashion catalog modeling
- Fashion print modeling
- Fashion showroom modeling
- Fashion lingerie modeling
- Fashion swimsuit modeling
- Fashion fitness modeling
- Fashion fit modeling
- Plus-size modeling
Supermodels
Supermodels are highly paid, top fashion models. These (usually female) celebrities appear on top fashion magazine covers, in catalogues and in fashion shows. They often live in New York City, and during fashion weeks they usually have 4-5 shows/day.
The first model to pave the way for what would become the supermodel was Lisa Fonssagrives. The relationship between her image on over 200 Vogue covers and her name recognition led to the future importance of Vogue in shaping future supermodels. Fonssagrives at the height of her career could be both sophisticated and yet a kook, with which every American woman could identify. Her image appeared on cover of every fashion magazine during the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s from Town & Country, Life and Vogue to the original Vanity Fair. Model Janice Dickinson, however, asserts that she was the person for which the term was coined.
Other notable supermodels and top models have included Twiggy, Gia Carangi, Tyra Banks, Christie Brinkley, Niki Taylor, Rachel Hunter, Linda Evangelista, Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford, Linda Evangelista, Elle Macpherson, Stephanie Seymour, Kate Moss, Claudia Schiffer and Christy Turlington. Currently, according several fashion world's personalities as Claudia Schiffer, Gisele Bündchen is the only supermodel of her generation, although there are some others famous names as Alessandra Ambrosio, Carolyn Murphy, Natalia Vodianova, Adriana Lima, Karolína Kurková, Daria Werbowy, Gemma Ward, Ana Beatriz Barros, Fernanda Tavares, Isabeli Fontana and Heidi Klum. Notable male models include Tyson Beckford, Marcus Schenkenberg and Evandro Soldati.
History of fashion models
The first true fashion model is generally believed to be Parisian shopgirl, Marie Vernet Worth. She became the first professional mannequin in 1853, to help her fashion designer husband, Charles Frederick Worth.
Body type
Main article: Size zeroThe Association of Model Agents (AMA) says that female models should be around 34-24-34 inches (86-61-86 cm) and at least 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) tall. Currently, the height required to do fashion shows has increased. During the last fashion shows in Europe, the average height was 1.79 m (5 ft 10 in), the average weight was 50 kg (110 lb), with bust between 85 to 90 cm (33.5 to 35.4 inches), waist under 62 cm (24.4 inches), and hips under 90 cm (35.4 inches), to fit the 34/36 size of haute Couture prototypes. Average dimensions for a male model are a height of 180-188 cm (5 ft 11 in- 6'2") and a weight of 64-75 kg (140-165 lb). Male models are also toned and fit.
The unusually thin shape of fashion models has been criticized for allegedly warping girls' body image and encouraging eating disorders. Organizers of a fashion show in Madrid in September 2006 turned away models who were judged to be underweight by medical personnel who were on hand. In February 2007, six months after her sister, Luisel Ramos, also a model, died, Uruguayan model Eliana Ramos became the third international model to die of malnutrition in six months (The second victim was Ana Carolina Reston). Luisel Ramos died of heart failure caused by anorexia nervosa.
Glamour models
Glamour photography emphasizes the model rather than products, fashion or environment. Typically the sexuality of the model is emphasized in glamour photography, while in fashion photography the emphasis is on the clothes.
Early glamour modeling is often associated with "French postcards", small postcard sized images that sold by street vendors in France. The early 1900s the pinup became popular. Pinups depicted scantily dressed women often in a playful pose seemingly surprised or startled by the viewer. The model would usually have an expression of delight which seemed to invite the viewer to come and play. Betty Grable was one of the most famous pinup models of all time, her pinup in a bathing suit was extremely popular amongst World War II soldiers. In December of 1953 Marilyn Monroe was featured in the first issue of Playboy magazine. Playboy became the first magazine which featured nude glamour photography and was targeted to the mainstream consumer. Glamour models became popular in the early 90s with the Hope Talmons and Dita Von Teese that created a gateway into the modern neo models like Heidi Van Horn and Bernie Dexter.
Fitness models
Fitness modeling centers on displaying an athletic and healthy physique. Fitness models resemble bodybuilders, but with less emphasis on muscle size. Their body weight is usually similar to (or slightly heavier than) fashion models, but they have a lower body fat percentage due to increased muscle mass relative to fat mass. They are usually muscular. The most recognized by name fitness models are Sebastian Siegel, Michael O'Hearn, Christian Boeving and Clark Bartram.
Bikini models
Bikini models are similar to fitness models with emphasis on a fit physique and the beauty of the female curves. Bikini models are usually curvaceous and fit.
For women models, usually the models can be shorter- more around 5' 5"-5' 8" (1.65 m - 1.73 m) and need to be about 100 pounds (45 kg) or lighter.
Fine art models
Main article: Model (art)Photographers, painters, sculptors, and other artists hire models to pose for their art.
Alternative models
Main article: Fetish modelAn alternative model is any model that does not fit into the normal category. Punk, Goth, Fetish, Tattooed, or having a uniqueness outside other model types. These mix with high fashion and art models.
Body part models
Some modeling agencies have divisions which represent male and female models with particularly attractive body parts. For example, hand models may be used to promote nail care products, leg models are useful for showcasing tights, and wrist models are used to showcase watches or bracelets. Petite models or females who are under 5' 7" (1.7 m) have found success through body part modeling. An example of a petite body part model is Isobella Jade.
Working conditions
Despite the stereotype of modeling as a glamorous profession, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics the median wage for models was only $11.22 per hour in 2006. MarketWatch listed modeling as one of the worst ten jobs in America.
External links
- online database of professional fashion models on FMD
Notes
- Rosemary Ranck, "The First Supermodel", The New York Times February 9, 1997 (online) retrieved September 24, 2006
- Supermodels don't exist anymore, says Claudia Schiffer Source: news.com.au. Article from: Reuters. Retrieved September 13, 2007.
- http://models.com/top25sexiest/top.html?fnumber=5&lnumber=1
- MODELS.com's Icons - 5-1
- http://www.modelworker.com/history.html
- Presque Top Model Oct 06
- USA Today: Do thin models warp girls' body image?
- CNN: Skinny models banned from catwalk
- Ban on stick-think models illegal, Jennifer Melocco, The Daily Telegraph, February 16, 2007.
- ^ Mantell, Ruth (November 1, 2007). "The 10 worst jobs in America: Low pay, no benefits put these workers in a tough spot". MarketWatch. Dow Jones. Retrieved 2008-01-31.