A Beautiful Riddle

Fashion has long held beauty obsessions. Some are straight forward: like long and lean legs. Others are more idiosyncratic such as strong jaw lines or thick, dark eyebrows. Everybody finds beauty in different places. So what dictates fashions sometimes unlikely view of beauty?The girl on the street and youth play a role. Cultural references such as mixed race faces continue to inspire the fashion pack. A culmination of perfect features from Brazil, Jamaica and Japan provide an irresistible combination. A creative mind often explores perceived differences differently.Personally I don’t find beauty in perfection. Porcelain dolls never really interested me; honestly, I was a bit spooked by their perfect gaze. Could it be that designers have become bored with bog-standard beauty and are looking for a new direction in designer dollies? One click on the Ford model site showcases beauty’s riddle. Strange, ethereal and androgyny are regular and quirky angles are accepted. So when did wholesome beauty date? Younger and slimmer girls are being celebrated for their beauty, but maybe this isn’t a healthy ideal.Currently Eastern European, Asian and Gallic, red hair is up-to-the-semi-second. Full lips, wide set pale cat eyes, blunt fringes and long Lady Godiva manes are also on the pulse. Wholesome, delicate, All-American and African girls are under represented, elfin, freckles, sugary and sun kissed have departed, smiles and perfect teeth left the party some several seasons ago.There has always been a girl to change the model mould – who will she be? For now it will be left to the designers, photographers, and observers to define our future faces. In the meantime I will continue to hold my somewhat subdued view of beauty being in the eye of the beholder.■ BexBella