The Evolution of Fashion Modeling

[Joe > Average]

Restored

 

The purpose of this thread is to explore, discuss and examine the evolution of fashion modeling. I'm not quite sure how to go about that yet, but I do know that I want it done .

[Joe > Average]

My model fandom actually started in the 2000s. I saw a Gemma Ward editorial and became fascinated with high fashion modeling. This isn't it, but you get the point.

 

 

It was an extension of the interest in photography, costume design and makeup design that I already had. It would be awhile until I got into models 'for the looks' so to speak the way I did women in everyday life and celebrities. When that time came, I started to appreciate commercial modeling more. I went from there to appreciate the marketing aspect of commercial modeling as it introduced (to me) the supply and demand aspect that I wasn't familiar with in fashion. Of course, still not nearly as much as mainstream entertainment, but more than high fashion. Now, I appreciate it all, but have limited knowledge of its history. Trends vary from season to season, so one decade to another appears even more alien. We can already see how this 21st century decade differs from the previous. Anyway, here we go ...

 

Guideline: Although I would love to explore the evolution of the model body, I hope to observe the rules regarding weight discussions and make observations rather than inspire debates.

[Joe > Average]

In Progress: the last and middle of each decade will likely be added. Maybe more. Of course those prior to where I started.

 

1970 - a shirt! Interesting !

 

1980

 

1990

 

2000 - progressively more toned up to this point although it seems that this is more toned than its successors?

 

2010 - I'll be curious to see if the smile beats the smolder percentage wise, but it appears that the smile wins more often than not.

 

 

 

 

 

Notes

 

60s-70s

 

Many of the 60s cover models would be considered plus-size by current standards although the first cover model was slimmer than many 21st cetury cover models.

There was very little writing on the covers.

80s

 

Still very little writing on the covers.
The model is wearing a swimsuit in 6/10
The 60s and 70s covers were more racially diverse
From Cheryl Teigs onward, bustier cover models begin to appear
The mid-80s features the first non-water oriented background (a desert)

90s

Half as many covers have a swimsuit (3/10) than the 80s
Toned abs become more trendy
First African-American cover model
The 90s cover models are also bustier overall than the previous decades
Before the 90s, there was never more than one model on a cover
The 99 cover is the first with a ton of writing on it.

00s (First Decade)

Photoshop becomes more apparent
Necklaces, beads, hands and arms to cover the bosom becomes tredy
First decade without a swimsuit on any cover
Female athletes modeling becomes more trendy
Fist non model on a cover(?)
First female athlete on a cover
The trend of toned abs continues
After the middle of the decade, the standard of toned abs declines
More Latin models than any other decade
Mid 00s, suddenly a lot of words on the cover. Previously very few.

00s (Second Decade)

Photoshop becomes more prevalent.
All covers have a lot of words.
The cover model becomes progressively a lower percentage of the cover writing's focus.
A model appears on three consecutive covers for the first time since the 80s.