“Finally I often find myself appalled by the fashion industry and what it represents. I struggle to see myself keen on being a part of the brain washing immoral industry I sometimes view fashion as.”
The above statement was written by yours truly in my first blog entry. A couple days after writting that blog I was stood outside Debenhams admiring a quilt cover that cost £140. After completly justifying to myself that there was no way I could afford the quilt cover I decided to move on but came to an abrupt stop. Debenhams has a massive ad print of a model modelling an outfit, what stopped me in my tracks was the fact that this model was in a wheel chair.
“Hmm...” – That was my reaction. And for no reason other than it was unexpected. It was the first time I have ever seen a model, modelling clothes in a wheelchair. That should come to no surprise because Debenhams are the first high street retailers to use a disabled model on the high street. Maybe the industry is moving forward and becoming less superficial after all...
In the above photograph we see Debenhams current models. They are proud to have variety, we see a black size ten model, a model in a wheelchair, a size 16 model and a 5”4 model. Oh how amazing, the fact that I am actually writing about this is in itself pathetic. Anyways, I read up about some comments the general public had. Some complained that the size 16 model was hidden behind the wheelchair, other’s were keen to condemn the advertising campaign referring to it as a ‘publicity stunt’. Yes fair enough, I agree, I too think this is a publicity stunt on Debenhams part but really who cares, every advertisement that comes out by any company is in attempt to make money, now why on earth would we complain about this one?
Look at Dove (above), they started a ‘real women’ campaign that made them money so they followed through with it. The reason it made money was because women felt relieved to see ‘real women’ and this is specifically due to the deplorable situation we currently find ourselves in. The fact that front covers of magazines and papers have been encased with snapshots of celebrities with spots or cellulite accomponied by headlines ending in exclamation marks is enough evidence of this. Are we, as the general public, so deluded that this is increasing sales? Unfortunately yes.
OH! How invigorating!!
After a bit more time spent looking through sites and stuff I came across this:
It seems a reality show started for disabled people similar to ‘Next Top Model’. Again I read comments regarding the show and most people seem to just be complaining about how these poor poor people are being exploited. Yet I think people in reality tv shows are always exploited aren’t they? Look at shows like Big Brother, I never watched it but I remember how Jade Goody was ripped apart by the media while on the show, yet became a National Treasure towards the end of her days. I also remember watching some late night repeats on tv after work and coming across Kim Woodburn gagging while eating some repulsive ‘food’ ( I think it may have been kangaroo balls ), it was hilarious, so much so it brought a tear to my eye. That’s exploitation but we have no problem with it, because we don’t pity them but we do pity disabled people, yet should we? Obviously these women wanted to be on this show and I’m pretty sure they were aware of what they were doing and the controversy behind it. Why are so many people trying to act like they need to be protected more then someone with both their arms?
Kim Woodburn
And the link to her gagging, just incase you missed it and are interested:
“Why on earth would any person want to put themselves through this show? And why would I want to watch? I know we all have our own disabilities—physical and emotional—and imperfections to overcome in life and, yes, we are all capable of achieving our dreams. But modeling is not for everyone. And that’s OK. Neither is being a surgeon, a writer, or a nuclear physicist. I’m all for promoting awareness and equality, but should it mean subjecting one’s self to certain humiliation and rejection? There’s nothing encouraging about that.”
- Amy Angelowicz
Oh shut up Amy! Are my thoughts, I’m pretty certain the reason why they are putting themselves in such a situation is because they want to and can. Furthermore its people like this, strong individuals who take a step to make a difference in what they believe, the ones who listen to all the hate but shrug it off that do make a difference, same as all those women who humiliated themselves when they decided to join the workforce in a man’s world a few decades ago. And why isn’t modeling for everyone? Is the point of fashion modeling not to display clothes? Are we as people of the world not all different? Should we continue to live in la la land with Amy ( amongst others ) and pretend the only people who should model clothing are the photoshoped, unhealthy sized models we look up to now? Or, now bear with me here, should we embrace these changes? People with physical disabilities are all around us so I can’t quite grasp the big issue here.
Anyways in conclusion to my research on the whole fashion and models thing, I suppose I have learnt that there are steps being taken to change our mentality which is encouraging however most of the responses seemed to be discouraging. All the same most ‘new’ things start off that way, so give it a couple decades and maybe we’ll see a difference. In the mean time I have decided that the fashion industry doesn’t have to be as pathetic as it is if people continue in making changes and the public are more frequently exposed to ‘different’ people till eventually they stop thinking its weird and start thinking its normal. And perhaps I may take some photographs to express myself visually on the matter.
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