By Gracie Mair
Paris Fashion Week has been around for seventy-three years, inspiring young women and letting them express their talents in modelling.
Paris Fashion Week has been around for seventy-three years, inspiring young women and letting them express their talents in modelling. The annual fashion show began on Tuesday 27th of February and ended on the 6th March. Some people may think that models are not deserving of any honour or their average annual salary of $49,200, but how much have models really fought throughout history? In light of International Women's Day, we need to take a look back into history, look into how women have refused to play by the rules to become independent and the history of women’s oppression.
In the 18th century, it was seen as socially acceptable, almost mandatory, for women to wear tight corsets made of whale bone and wire to squeeze in the stomach and physically move the organs upwards. This made eating and even breathing extremely difficult for women an, whilst also crushing them with the stress of societal opinion. If we look back to the current fashion situation, women of all sizes, body-types and capability are accepted and seen as beautiful, all due to how women in the past have fought resiliently against discrimination and hate.
With a majority of the people interested in runways and fashion being young girls or teenagers, a huge amount of stress is placed upon them to have the “perfect” figure and to be just like the girls they see on TV. Models in major fashion shows have trained for years, watching their weight, and grown up in full knowledge of what they wanted to be when they’re older, so when young girls try to accomplish that look in a few weeks/months, it has disastrous results. Companies that only hire modes with the “ideal” body or certain assets can have a huge impact on the self-esteem and mental health of young girls and women. Trying to achieve a models’ look by using extreme methods such as meal-restrictions and getting rid of the calories in more vulgar ways can lead to anorexia, bulimia, physical altercations such as a destroyed oesophagus and overall low self esteem which can lead to depression, anxiety and other mental health disorders.
Having a plethora of different models being accepted into society and being seen as beautiful can have a positive effect on the entire world, and raise self-esteem and body positivity in young adults, and instead of them being brainwashed into thinking that stick-thin women are perfect. The modelling industry has started to embrace all shapes and sizes.
Fashion today has changed for the better, and women have worked hard for that for over 200 years. Young girls of today have such a diverse range of beautiful women to look up to, and that wouldn’t have been possible without the determination and ambition of women in the past. We have so many different types of models that are accepted in society, and continue to fight for women’s freedom and creativity, yet are so underappreciated.
Take a moment out of your day to think about all of the sacrifices that influential people of the past have made that affect you, your sister, your mother, your aunt, your grandmother and female friends. Think about how much our culture has changed and if you’re interested, do some research of your own!
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