It's the cookie cutter effect. The girls that are somewhat 'mass-produced' marked by their sameness and all look like they could come from the same family tree. Their on the runway with the same hair and makeup as each other walking for the same designer... It's hard to tell them apart.
In the 70's we saw a lot of women of colour as a popular 'trend' and even in the early 80's however once this 'trend' finished and fell out we were bombard by the same looking women with fair skin on the runway again who somewhat look as though they are duplicates of one another. However top models such as Naomi Campbell, Jourdan Dunn and Chanel Iman are speaking up and asking companies, designers, casting directors and the public 'what's happening with diversity on the runway?'
In todays society models strut out but are not emphasised on the runway. You see Naomi Campbell, you see Chanel Iman and you saw Beverly Johnson but todays models are not making an impact or scene… They are just merely strolling the catwalk and living up to their phrase; 'clothes horses'. You don't see the individual, you don't see a soul, all you see is the clothing and yes this is why the fashion show is being run; to showcase the pieces, but why showcase your designs on someone who is lifeless and shows no personality. Wouldn't your designs be noticed by a larger audience if they were placed on someone who gave a little bit more than a stroll down an outlined walkway?
This may sound like it has more to do with the model not showing their personality than the designer but the reason why models are being overlooked in shows and aren't being noticed is because there are at least fifteen to twenty other models who look identical to them in the same show. So how can someone give a little more when there are cookie cutter women who have exactly the same hair and makeup walking in front, behind and beside them?
Simon Doonan made comment to this and has said "the girls are very all, often Eastern European - there was a time where there was more individuality and all the girls were very well differentiated. This occurred right into the 90's but we now have the emphasis on efficiency…You've got to show the maximum number of looks efficiently and get the pictures out. Fashion shows are now cold."
You used to not only see the dresses but you also saw the humanity - models would shake peoples hands, wave into the audience and smile while people were drinking. The best we get now is if we actually get to see different looking models showcased in the one show.
Some designers realise this and are now trying to bring back that personality rather than an amble down the runway to promote particular individual women and are attempting to push their personalities. When all the models have to look similar they are regimented to then follow through into the print.
Diversity has fluctuated over the years, hopefully in the near future we can see change not only on the runway but in the decisions, opinions and mindsets of the more powerful in the industry.
In todays society models strut out but are not emphasised on the runway. You see Naomi Campbell, you see Chanel Iman and you saw Beverly Johnson but todays models are not making an impact or scene… They are just merely strolling the catwalk and living up to their phrase; 'clothes horses'. You don't see the individual, you don't see a soul, all you see is the clothing and yes this is why the fashion show is being run; to showcase the pieces, but why showcase your designs on someone who is lifeless and shows no personality. Wouldn't your designs be noticed by a larger audience if they were placed on someone who gave a little bit more than a stroll down an outlined walkway?
This may sound like it has more to do with the model not showing their personality than the designer but the reason why models are being overlooked in shows and aren't being noticed is because there are at least fifteen to twenty other models who look identical to them in the same show. So how can someone give a little more when there are cookie cutter women who have exactly the same hair and makeup walking in front, behind and beside them?
Simon Doonan made comment to this and has said "the girls are very all, often Eastern European - there was a time where there was more individuality and all the girls were very well differentiated. This occurred right into the 90's but we now have the emphasis on efficiency…You've got to show the maximum number of looks efficiently and get the pictures out. Fashion shows are now cold."
You used to not only see the dresses but you also saw the humanity - models would shake peoples hands, wave into the audience and smile while people were drinking. The best we get now is if we actually get to see different looking models showcased in the one show.
Some designers realise this and are now trying to bring back that personality rather than an amble down the runway to promote particular individual women and are attempting to push their personalities. When all the models have to look similar they are regimented to then follow through into the print.
Diversity has fluctuated over the years, hopefully in the near future we can see change not only on the runway but in the decisions, opinions and mindsets of the more powerful in the industry.