Models: Fallen Angels

"Fashion is the art, Designers are the gods, Models play the part of angels in the dark..." - Fashionista, Jimmy James.

That is my favorite part of Jimmy James's notorious song Fashionista. I believe it is everything that is true (or thought to be) about the fashion world. Specifically talking about the models as angels. Models have this feature of being unattainable or "out of this world". The infatuation with models affects everybody; Whether to look at them as sexually enticing or as role models to follow. 

When did it all start though? That's when I started to dig in to the history of modeling and investigate the timeline of the industry. Here's the story: 

It is believed that modeling started as early as 1892 in Paris (Where else?! Riiight). When designer Charles Worth used his wife Marie Vernet Worth to model his clothes in a time where such an act was condemned and thought to be unacceptable. 

Marie Worth Modeling for her husband's collection

Modeling started to become more acceptable as Jean Patou used only American white women to model his designs as he identified with them making the craft more socially acceptable. Shortly after, the opening of the first modeling agencies in London and the US started to kick off what has become a thriving modeling industry.

By the 1930s,40s and 50s, More models graced the high fashion magazines and started to turn into super models. Janice Dickinson, The self proclaimed "World's first supermodel" earned about 2000$ per day making her one of the highest paid model during the 80's (She just announced bankruptcy last week, read here). She as well as other top models Christie Brinkley, Cindy Crawford and Elle Mcpherson were on the cover of American and European magazines of high end fashion magazines such as Vogue and Cosmopolitan. 

Lisa Fonssagrives, Dorian Leigh and Twiggy - early modeling years.

That's when the era of "Super Models" really started. Models such as Naomi Campbell, Kate Moss, Gisele Bündchen  Heidi Klum and Tyra Banks really cemented their status. Everyone was infatuated by their glamorous looks and fascinating lifestyles. They were so unattainable that many in the attempt to channel them have fell into many psychological and body disorders. Models were the "IT" girls and everyone desired to be them or with them.

Janice Dickinson on the cover of Vogue Paris

However, now models seem to have lost their "Holy Aura" and have come a little closer to earth. With the invasion of superstars from various industries due to their popularity to promote high-end fashion brands, the modeling system seem to have been expanded to hold more than just a few elite. Not to mention, the ever increasing number of amateur/professional photographers using people that they know to model for them. Now In Egypt, everyone with a camera and a good looking girl/guy friend seems to be a fashion photographer paired with a model.

Model: Dina Attention Whore & Shot by: Baheeg Sexually Oppressed Photography

The exclusivity of what once was an elitist profession has somewhat gone. The glamorous presence of models changed to a more down to earth and casual vibe. The barrier has been broken and there's no turning back. This doubles as both a good and a bad effect. Now people feel a little more comfortable with their image and bodies when seeing models they identify with or a super glamorous model taking a normal picture of herself and sharing it with the world. However, this gave away the glamour and extravagance of models as well as the exclusivity of the designer clothes. Of course, it still remains a rather coveted and hard profession but those who become models in front of the camera and off camera are fewer than ever.

Tyra Banks and Lady GaGa reveal how they look without make-up.

Keeping up such a "show" all the time must be exhausting. For some it comes naturally and for others they have to work a little more to form into real stars.  In such a time where accepting and embracing differences is all the rage; it's not a surprise that models or otherwise do the same and show a more vulnerable side. 

Even though old school super models looked picture perfect all the time with such ease and extravagance, it is those who just be who they are (Whether they lead a seemingly-perfect life or not) have more Picture Perfect moments than scandalous headlines. After all, isn't that what really matters?