F I R E VOLUME ONE WHAT IGNITES YOUR FIRE?
A LETTER FROM THE EDIT R
Popular culture is ridden with invisible rules, and these rules are dangerous. Once you notice them, they become much less subtle. In fact, they are glaring you right in the face. Basically, these rules are the interplay between false beauty standards, and the invention of trends. Beauty standards build a system of oppression and segregation, and the trends act as a quick fix method to fulfill the beauty standards. How? Look at any mainstream store, magazine, or online platform and you will be bombarded with idealistic and unrealistic beauty standards; photoshopped models, makeup advertisements, and the general pressure to conform to an ‘ideal’. Likewise, the same can be noted about trends; fashion trends, beauty trends, and lifestyle trends. The beauty ideals create an illusion that a person is not complete as they are, and the trends act as a filler for the nonexistent void. The reason this is so incredibly ridiculous is that there is nothing missing from a person in the first place, it is simply the illusion playing off a person’s self esteem and desire to belong. Ultimately, this results in serious body image issues, which can lead to many dangerous consequences. Everyone is complete and beautiful as they are, and anything saying otherwise is a lie. Here, we are fighting fire with fire and burning down the illusion.
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MENTAL HEALTH AND MODELLING FASHION BLOGGER ANNIE CERISE GETS REAL ABOUT TRUTH AND STATISTICS
When a model is observed on the runway it is likely that the first place our attention is drawn is toward their physical appearance, such as their most prominent features and the way they have been styled. It is rare to truly witness what happens behind the scenes of the modelling industry.
Body image issues and mental health challenges are becoming increasingly pursued conversations within the industry, with many stories and surveys bringing to light the reality of the glamorous industry. When a model is observed on the runway it is likely that the first place our attention is drawn is toward their physical appearance, such as their most prominent features and the way they have been styled. It is rare to truly witness what happens behind the scenes of the modelling industry. Body image issues and mental health challenges are becoming increasingly pursued conversations within the industry, with many stories and surveys bringing to light the reality of the glamorous industry.
Four years ago, Model Alliance conducted an “Industry Analysis� survey, where 85 active models in the USA spoke out about their experiences with body image and mental health challenges. Results had shown that two-thirds of these models were to diagnosed with an anxiety or depressive disorder, and that one third were suffering from eating disorders. As both a writer and a model, I was very passionate to find more in depth analysis of experiences facing these challenges in the industry. I asked a group of models two questions pertaining to the issues at hand, and their responses did not surprise me. The two questions that they were asked
As a model, what are your thoughts in regards to those in our industry who are living with mental health challenges and body image issues, and how do you think we should go about facing the challenges within the industry?
The overwhelming response that I received from the industry professionals is that the modelling field is brimming with mental health challenges and body image issues, and that more immediate action in raising support and awareness is needed immediately. The models that were interviewed talked about their specific self esteem issues in relation to the standard expectations of the modelling industry, speaking on how fragile of a line they must walk. Being considered ‘too tall’, or ‘too short’, or not the ‘right’ specific size for the industry were some of the main concerns the models talked about. One model stated “I feel I have to fit societal standards of 'beautiful', or I'll be out of work. It heightens my own anxiety and depressive disorder, and it is exhausting.”
In regards to possibilities of creating positive change towards the challenges of the industry, the models came to a general consensus of promoting healthy models, fighting for diversity in the industry, and creating strong self empowered voices and communities. How we work to promote positivity and acceptance within this industry must be done as a collective, where every voice working towards positive change has the power to be heard.
Written by Annie Cerise