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Fashion Evolution: How the Economy Affects Model Appeal

The evolution of fashion models has come full circle from edgy to down to earth. Expect this trend to continue since industry experts say that when the economy falters consumers, such as us, tend to relate more with softer, simpler faces.

When the economy is booming, “We experiment a little more” with complicated looks and extravagant makeup and hairstyles, says Ivan Bart, senior vice president at IMG Models, one of the world’s largest modeling agencies. “Now the key for advertisers is to bring people into the store.” A colleague at IMG, talent scout David Cunningham, calls it “a more commercial period.”—WSJ.com

This simpler canvas allows for designers to reflect a more popular appeal to their target market. The fashion landscape has become much more segmented in today’s world. Models have had more of a niche, opposed to a universal appeal that would represent several brands across the board. Now, they are starting to fall into more ‘mainstream campaigns versus high-end fashion iconic brands.’

The evolution of models is much more reflective of diversity than it was 10 years ago. Back then, the girl-next-door appeal meant only Caucasian and now it represents a much more diverse appeal. Definitely, a reflection of the growing global world we now live in.

Do you prefer a more fresh face versus an exotic look? Does this truly influence your appeal for the brand?

Tags: designers, fashion, model, modeling, style

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Comment by Maryanne on September 19, 2009 at 10:15am: in the early 1980's i stood before eileen ford, who told me that work would be difficult for me to get, because i was a brown-eyed brunette in an era of blue eyed blondes.
the one thing i constantly heard was, we need to lighten your hair, you look too "brunette"
they didn't have coloured contacts back then, otherwise i know that my hazel eyes would have been made blue.
thank goodness that these rigid barriers were broken, and models were allowed to represent a variety of looks.
the last 'possbile' frontier would be to show women of all sizes.

notice i said possible.
i personally love a typical model look.
it photographs well, the clothes look better. and it's graceful looking walking a runway.
these are given facts.

glamour magazine recently showed a photograph of a "healthy" young woman who weighs 180 lbs.
and she had an average body type. to my eyes and in my opinion, she looked overweight. her stomach was beginning to protrude on her lap, which is not "healthy" despite many women championing the "look".
glamour will be running more "plus size" models in their november issue.
i hope that this " mini trend" doesn't prevent young women from wanting to exercise and watch what they eat. i have seen too many young women, waddling down the streets in manhattan, breathless and panting.
there is nothing attractive about that.

also..glamour magazine is the " cash cow" in the conde nast empire.
which means that more controversy, sells more magazines.
i know for a fact that the editor is not 180 lbs or a size 14.

when i open a fashion magazine, i don't wish to see an average looking woman,
with an average size 14 body, i can see that anywhere , everyday .
and in any other non-fashion magazine.

about the questions which you have raised fresh-faced vs exotic:

each type has it's niche.
i wouldn't want to see a fresh faced girl advertising dolce or prada or gucci.
yet an exotic faced woman advertising for hilfiger wouldn't work either.
so each look has its place.

when i was younger perhaps there was a bit more influence with the models look and my thoughts of the brand.
i will say that during the 1980's paulina porizkova was a well known gorgeous face at vogue. yet, in 1987 a young unknown model did an editorial spread with paulina. that model to my eyes..leapt off the pages she looked that exciting, you didn't even notice paulina.
that model was linda evagelista. she and steven meisel brought back modeling to the fashion industry.

but at my age, i look at the layout of the ad, how much digital manipulation went into the making of the ad?
how does the clothing look?, makeup?
so i am seeing it with different eyes.

with the fashion industry on shaky financial ground, as it is today,
most manufacturers are going to play it safe.

i personally like those manufacturers who won't play it safe and still allow fashion to be something to dream about. i want fashion in the purest sense.
to me, italian vogue is a book of art, which is produced monthly.

Comment by bodymotion on September 20, 2009 at 5:13pm: Sladana Amidzic has a dope face, perfect,

Comment by Lady Lux on October 5, 2009 at 1:19am: MaryAnne, thanks for your very thoughtful response! Wow, that should be a blogpost in its own right! I completely agree with you that each look has its place: some exotic looks are better suited for high fashion, while the girl next door resonates better with a clean "All American" brand. I am also observing that due to the downturn, many designers have started to play it safe (or safer at least) by reducing the risk factor of their lines, look books and campaigns. Perhaps that's the main factor that's responsible for an increase in the "girl next door" look.

Regarding regular sized vs plus sized models: this is a very complex conversation. On the one hand, we want our young girls to be comfortable in their own skin. Some girls will never be stick thin, not because they are fat, but because that's how their body is built. On the other hand, we do not want to downplay the importance of health. Regardless of whether you are skinny or a bit fuller, the main thing is to be healthy, toned, and in good shape: muscles, heart, lungs, and of course spirit.