Turning away from the professional model in fashion photography

[AgX]

The German fashion magazine `Brigitte´, released bi-weekly, founded 1957 and having the most readers of magazines of its kind, just announced no longer to employ professional models in their own photoproductions.
The new productions will to be seen the next year.

The reasons behind this are stated to be as well the extremes amoungst skinny models, the wish of their readers to not longer be presented raw-models and the change of origin of fashion, as less designers are of influence but women are influenced rather by what they see on other women.

 

[2F/2F]

One can only hope that the photography will become less foul because of it...Hey, we can all dream a little, can't we?

 

[Sirius Glass]

Are they really making a statement or have they figured out a way to cut their costs?

Steve

 

[AgX]

Yes, it was already uttered here in the media that it could be a means to cut down costs in times of crisis. It was argued by that magazine that they did not employ top models so far, and that the earnings of the lay models would be in the same range as payed before, and that lay models would be more troublesome to work with, so that they would not have any economic benefits by using lay models.

Whatever intention they actually have, if they really fulfill their intends it would be interesting to see how the public will react. Due to their still great reception the magazine might be influential on fashion photography beyond their own.

 

[Ian Grant]

I think this is more about moving away from "Super Models" and the up & coming wannabe's with high rates.

Companies used to be prepared to pay huge amounts for a top model because she (he not really) would help them sell clothes/products because the model was as well known as the brand.

A good friend was a model for a top agency (UK) in the 70's but she wanted a private life so was very selective, she preferred anonymity.

The magazines will still use Professional models, but of a different mentality. There are plenty of excellent semi and fully professional models around with great and often unique looks. I won't post a link (as she seems to be having a break) but one model I've worked with is superb, fresh, vibrant, and great to work with, her rates are excellent, she's married to an American artist, she works for anyone with a good portfolio, dunno why she's worked with a Wetson though (Kim).

Ian

 

[AgX]

No, in this case it is really about lay models.
Brigitte calls their initiative "Without Models".
(Of course the question arises, how long one stays a lay model, if one is booked repeatedly.)

 

[Nick Zentena]

I thought super models more less went out a long time ago?

Here in Italy there is a push for size 42 models. Normal runway models are 38. So two sizes larger. There was a news story about a designer using 46 models for his runway show. Certainly pros.

A few years back at least one or two models dropped dead.

 

[Ian Grant]

Jesus Nick, models are usually size 6 (anorexic), 8 thin but normal, 10 bit of flesh to grab onto.

But size 38/42 you're into HUGE women can they even walk ?

Ian

 

[Sirius Glass]

Jesus Nick, models are usually size 6 (anorexic), 8 thin but normal, 10 bit of flesh to grab onto.

But size 38/42 you're into HUGE women can they even walk ?

Ian

They are moved in wheel barrows!

ROTFLMAO!!

Actually, my girlfriend is a size 4 who sometimes wears a size 2 and she certainly does not look anorexic. [5'9" @ 125 pounds / 1.75m @ 56.7 kg]

Steve

 

[BradS]

but soft, what paradox hides behind this ruse?

(beside the really big european lady in the room!)


say I grab a drunk off the street, drag him or her in to a studio, dress him up in designer clothes and pay him a small fee for standing or laying around the studio for two hours while I shoot away with the latest digital thingy.....for a magazine ad....


isn't my drunk now paid to model...and therefore, a professional model?

Or, is this like the olympic athlete?

 

[Ian Grant]

You know Steve in these regions (where I live) very large women were once held in great regard. But they should go to the US as the big women are very much larger That's from purely VISUAL experience

Ian

 

[Sirius Glass]

You know Steve in these regions (where I live) very large women were once held in great regard. But they should go to the US as the big women are very much larger That's from purely VISUAL experience

Ian

Redd Foxx described women's bra sizes as coming in "small", "medium", "large" and "Holy Toledo Moses!".

Steve

 

[Alan Johnson]

Really this non-employment of pro models by a German magazine appears just another example that young people are getting the worst of this recession.

 

[Eric Rose]

It's the same movement that has rendered many long time pro photojournalists under-employed. The magazines and even TV media outlets would rather get free cell phone images from people looking for their 15 seconds of fame. Image quality, the ability to capture "the moment" or being able to tell a compelling story photographically has been dashed to the dust bin. Instead we are sold on the necessity of having "late breaking" news coverage at the expense of quality.

The drastic drop in advertising revenues has forced the media outlets to look for cheaper ways to do business. It's a sad fact, but one we will have to get use to.

Eric

 

[Nick Zentena]

Jesus Nick, models are usually size 6 (anorexic), 8 thin but normal, 10 bit of flesh to grab onto.

But size 38/42 you're into HUGE women can they even walk ?

Ian

An Italian size 38 is 76cm hips. So less then 30inch hips. Believe me they've got nothing to hold on to.

 

[perkeleellinen]

US, EU and UK all use different numbers to rank the female body shape I think.

Agree that this i probably a recession-squeeze decision and as such I agree with Alan Johnson. But the spin is interesting and especially the implications of a shift away from professional models based upon their shape.

 

[AgX]

For those who understand German, here is a 10min national public radio interview with the chief editor:
http://www.tagesschau.de/multimedia/audio/audio44552.html

 

[Dave Pritchard]

You know Steve in these regions (where I live) very large women were once held in great regard. But they should go to the US as the big women are very much larger That's from purely VISUAL experience

Ian

We have a region called Mississippi. That's a world-champion place for fat people. In the US, poor often correlates to fat. Perhaps the German fashion press could recruit models from rural Mississippi.

 

[AgX]

It is not about fat women, but about women in which the average reader recognizes hereself in a physical way, but also about women who have a story whith them in contrast to the anonymous model. For this women from public life are going to be employed too.

 

[Ian Grant]

The editor's been interviewed by the BBC she's a very attractive woman herself, they are running a 2-3 minute piece every hour on the BBC World Service TV News channel. They put it in a broader context where a UK fashion designer recently showed a collection and used UK sized 12-14 models, also US guidelines against using thin/anorexic models.

Ian

 

[Sirius Glass]

Thin is in, but fat is where it is at!

Not for me! That is what my ex used to say.

[Note: she is an ex]

Steve

 

[benjiboy]

I've often thought that the fashion industry would sell a lot more clothes,if the fashion models looked more like normal women and less like a good meal would kill them, so Miss or Mrs average could relate to them .

 

[Q.G.]

Miss or mrs, and mr, Average would rather see someone offer them things that hold a promise of no longer looking like miss or mrs or mr Average.

 

[winger]

There have been more and more articles like this - http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/beau...uren-model-fired-for-being-overweight-525248/
I'd like to think this played into their decision as well as the money they'd save.
And today, while standing at the supermarket checkout, there was a headline about Kloe Kardashian (sp?) and how she went from a US size 10 to a size 6 and was still called fat by the tabloids.
It sorta amazes me that we have a huge problem with obesity and yet also a problem with women getting called fat who are no where near fat.

 

[eddym]

It sorta amazes me that we have a huge problem with obesity...

Nice pun...