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Fashion is a fickle business. As Heidi Klum says every week on “Project Runway,” one day you’re in, the next day you’re out.
The latest thing that is in: real people. That’s according to an article in a recent issue of Newsweek called “Rise of the Real People.”
Apparently pretty people aren’t seen as interesting enough. We’re sick of skinny, expressionless models. We’re looking for people who look more like us. And that means they don’t have flawless complexions and perfect bodies.
“I definitely think there’s some backlash amongst people who see fashion shows, then read stories about how the models have to smoke themselves to death and only drink lemon water for six weeks,” said Simon Rogers, head of Ugly New York, a casting agency for “real”-looking models. “People would like to see somebody up there who reflects how people on the street really look.”
Internet sites like Street Peeper and Stylesight are continually popping up showing how real people wear real clothes. Real people have even been shown on runways.
TV shows like Carson Kressley’s “How to Look Good Naked” are showing that makeovers don’t have to involve plastic surgery, just a nice outfit and a boost of self-esteem.
Could it be that real people are making a comeback? After years of being relegated to real places, we just might be able to break into the unreal world of fashion.
Could we see models with hips? Models with zits? Models with cellulite?
Are we ready to be inspired to buy clothes after seeing them on less-than-perfect bodies?
It would seem to make sense. Most of us aren’t a size 0. Seeing how a dress looks on a body with fewer curves than we had at age 11 isn’t a good indicator as to whether we’ll look good in it. Seeing a model who is familiar with a cheeseburger is.
Don’t worry, pretty people. There is still a place in the fashion world for you. After all, a “real” person could never pose with the $18,000 belt recently seen in New York magazine.
A real person wears a belt that she had to poke an extra hole in to account for her added realness.
Funny thing is, real people have and will always outnumber unreal images in movies, magazines and catwalks.
Real people have the power to decide what’s in and what’s out.
The fashion industry — and every other industry — couldn’t survive without us.
For years, we’ve bemoaned too-perfect images of unattainable beauty yet we’ve bought into it with every diet pill, miracle cream and hateful word we’ve said about our realness.
Will real people finally embrace ourselves? Let’s hope this trend is more timeless than the little black dress.
Contact Käri Knutson at kknutson@winonadailynews.com or (507) 453-3523.
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sanfi74 wrote on Feb 11, 2008 2:40 PM: