Fashion begins with a blank canvas – an idea sculpted and sewn into art. Designers express their emotions through the gathering of fabric. They have a certain image of how it sits on a body. They present it to the world on models.
The bodies that showcase the art never distract from it. The fabric is draped at a perfect angle and length for a simple, sleek model. It deserves to be showcased with no other attention drawn from it. It deserves to be displayed on a body that won’t divert from the art.
Fashion is glamour. It starts with a simple, sleek body that can be bold enough to wear some of the most courageous couture. Their job is to wear art. They practice the perfect presentation of not too much hip sway and just enough head bob so that the garment moves just the way the designer imagines.
Designers spend months, even years on single pieces. They put their heart and soul into their work, and when it comes time to showcase it – the designers wish to display just that.
Of course, a dress on a hanger never looks the same as when it is filled with the volume of a woman’s body.
The last time I went shopping I grabbed a few garments that looked semi-appealing on the racks, but needed a second look. However, after close examination in the dressing room and having my womanly curves fill the sides of the dress, it became a new piece. I could either encourage myself to hit the gym, find another size or imagine myself walking, just as the models do, into the club on Friday.
And when you do find that perfect fit, you almost feel as if the design was made for you. But, designers create fashion for the love of art, not for the love of the “size 2.” The designer follows a simple, clean bust form to pin the fabric scraps creating a masterpiece. When the work is complete, it is off to be showcased on a simple, sleek human body.
Walking down the runway in a perfectly-crafted garment, the model struts up and down the cat walk showcasing the piece. No distractions from large body parts or exaggerated physiques draw attention away from the art. Any extras the models add become distractions from the piece. Spectators focus on the way the fabric breathes; they watch how it sways with each step and feathers with each twirl.
Models can too quickly be criticized for malnutrition. Too easily, young girls are fooled with what it takes to achieve a sleek physique. The common misconception is that a majority of fashion models deal with weight issues in unhealthy ways. However, with the proper diet and exercise, a fit body is obtainable.
Successful models like Gisele Bundchen and Bridget Moynahan both have fit bodies and have made a career out of taking care of them so they can be of use for the fashion world. Their physiques have showcased some of the most memorable collections and did so without adding a single distraction.
I know that just because the designer has a slender model showcasing the dress, it does not mean it should only be worn on those body types. But why would they want to showcase their work of art on a distracting figure? They are unveiling to the public a work of art – and just that.
