Why has high fashion/modelling lost so much prestige in the late 2010s?
Before 2018-2019, being a (runway) model and the likes was equivalent to other Tier 1 industries, such as Actress/PE MF/Tiger Cub HF/NFL/NBA/NHL.
But ever since VS cancelled their uber-prestigious Angel line and the likes of Gymshark and Calvin Klein started allowing fatties, deformities and troons to model to be "inclusive" (more like Gymwhale amirite), modelling has lost a great deal of its prestige.
Gone are the days of the likes of Adriana Lima dominating their respective niche in high fashion. Today we have to put it simply, unattractive women (or MTF troons) on billboards, runways and advertisements. And even if they are attractive, they're likely TikTok or Instagram influencers who are too short, don't know how to walk or have an inappropriate body type (hip dips, wide ribcage).
I'm glad to be working in PE MF, one of the few prestigious industries left.
Hey anglosaxonchad, I'm the WSO Monkey Bot and I am sad to say, but this thread is lonely, so thought I'd post in here to try and help out. Some potential topics that might help:
More suggestions...
I hope those threads give you a bit more insight.
Because I started earning less and became a mass market
My gf works in this field, and the times have changed.
You should have seen the campaigns of the 80s and 90s, before we were born. The women were literally hand picked for the photo shoots.
In today's world the consumer wants to identify more with the product and the average customer does not look like a model. They follow certain people on social media who present a more street style look and that works best. It's a combination of new distribution channel/referral marketing and much better logistics around ecommerce.
The large brands still run high end campaigns though, and the catwalk is still a thing.
Is that actually true though? Is it truly what the customer thinks or what society has decided the "customer" thinks? I am sure some people feel this way... but the whole point of a 'model' is that it's what one would aspire to be (i.e., so and so is my role model). Just my two cents.
I agree with you, but the market might not.
What looks good on a haute couture model won't be a fit to the average man or woman, especially in a more sedentary world/WFH.
Who do you connect with more? Some tall, incredibly chiseled and attractive guy who nobody will ever copy? Or that youtuber or some user online who embodies more of your interests, hobbies and career aspirations? The average guy is never going to look like jordan barrett or David Gandy, regardless of how much you work out. And if you buy the clothes they are selling, your looks aren't really going to be the same? My finance colleagues are more into fashion than me, but I can honestly say they don't look like any of the models online.
The catwalk and the fashion shows still exist, but they have lost out a bit on the huge amount of time consumers spend on other media channels. There is a reason why Victoria's Secret canceled their shows. People today prefer following tik tok videos and youtube stars rather than watch fashion TV (an actual channel in Europe). A decent amount of users do follow these models on social channels though.
I still purchase the clothes the supermodels are showing off, but I don't spend much time with their catwalks, videos, or fashion channels.
And not to forget: women spend a lot more time, money and decisions around fashion, make up, hair, et al than men. And collectively, with the market and the companies, they have decided that there has to be more diversity in advertising these products.
It could be a short, chubby barbie doll, more high end make up for African American ladies, or a shirt that is focused on a different cut.
All good points, with the exception of the VS show which has been mentioned multiple times in this thread. First, the fashion show is coming back this year and while it may not have the razzle dazzle and focus on the Angels as it did previously, it's back nonetheless. The show was largely canceled as a result of actions committed by Ed Razek, former CMO, who had close ties with ol Jeff and was incredibly tight with Les. Over the last 10/15 years of his tenure at the company, he had numerous complaints to HR about his behavior and was known for his hand selection of models for the show. Furthermore, in an interview with Vogue he made some pretty awful comments about the trans and plus size models and their place within the show.
In any case, this isn't a history lesson on VS but figured I could add more color to the narrative of the show's cancellation.
Good points though in your post, you're not wrong about a lot of things. While I may think that Tony Romo is more relatable in terms of looks, doesn't mean that Tom Brady isn't objectively much better looking but that's another moot point.
My quick and dirty take of what happened to the models OP talked about... The internet ruined them, like it has ruined many other things.
Iure sed omnis quas quas id culpa dicta quod. Commodi vitae voluptatem iure veritatis provident at qui et. Aut blanditiis dolorem illum assumenda. Esse cum doloremque non ut illo non adipisci.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...