Fashion Industry Secrets: 10 Little-Known Facts
When we watch a fashion show, we are intrigued by the intricate outfits and the expression on the models' faces. There are certain rules that models who fascinate us with their clothes and physique must follow. These have changed over time. From the designer to the model, there is a great deal of labor behind the work. We have compiled the information we think you don't know about the fashion industry for you...
1. Models used to be asked to smile. Neutral facial expression is still very new in this industry.
While we are used to seeing expressionless faces on the catwalk, models used to smile at fashion shows years ago. According to the names of models over the years, expressionless faces are relatively new in fashion. Before the 1960s, before models like Brigitte Bardot and Jane Birkin, women were rocking the catwalks with beautiful smiles on their faces.
2. Posing with a serious expression is more effective than smiling.
It may sound strange to say that a serious face looks much more elegant than a smiling one, but for the fashion industry it does. According to some professionals, this is because the model's face should not overshadow the garment: 'They want to show the clothes, not our faces. If we smile, we focus attention on our face and not on our clothes.'
One study showed that neutral facial expressions increase perceived product value because they seem unattainable.
3. Professional models stay in the same room when traveling.
Models working in agencies often travel to other countries for months or years to grow and get new opportunities. Therefore, they tend to live in shared apartments with other models. However, these places are not really as fancy as the ones seen on America's Next Top Model show.
Sometimes they even sleep on bunk beds or sofas. Still, rent is deducted from their salaries.
4. They embraced changing beauty standards.
It's a bit old-fashioned to think that catwalk models are the beauty that every woman desires. In the industry, designers want the most neutral faces and bodies possible to show their work. They no longer see models as an ideal of beauty.
Now, in addition to showing all face and body types, brands like Victoria's Secret have finally normalized a new perception of skin tones and sizes that we can identify with. Plus-size and Asian models have a growing positive influence on social media.
5. Models must also be careful about the underwear they choose to wear in daily life.
Just as we wouldn't wear a black bra under a white shirt, models can't leave their underwear to chance when under the spotlight.
The solution is to wear flesh-colored underwear that goes with any outfit. They also take special care that the bra is neither too tight nor too loose, as it has to fit their body perfectly. Apparently, no matter how beautiful they are, it is not enough to put on a beautiful dress and go out and conquer the fashion industry. It requires a lot of attention.
6. They may have their period during the show. The solution to this situation is to use tampons.
Most women have an unforgettable memory of getting their period while wearing white pants.
In the case of a model, she has no excuse if it falls on the day she has to go on the catwalk or do a photo shoot. They can't avoid wearing tight dresses or swimsuits, even if their stomachs are swollen. They are asked to use tampons so that they cannot be seen through their underwear. When they wear things like thongs, they have to be very careful that the tampon string is not visible.
7. Catwalking is neither easy nor comfortable.
Their shoes may look great, but wearing them is not so great. The people in charge of their wardrobe don't give much thought to how the shoes fit, so models can end up wearing shoes that are too big or too small. There are solutions to wear them, like wrapping them with tape if they are too big or making them fit if they are too small. So if you're a model, it's only a matter of time before they ask you to walk gracefully in shoes that are two sizes too small.
8. Easy or not, it takes a lot of practice.
Walking the catwalk is actually more like dancing than walking. It requires a rhythm and grace that requires practice. Also, since they often wear uncomfortable shoes and tight clothing, models have to work hard to walk with a natural and elegant posture. That's why even the most famous models often practice just walking on the floor, walking on a treadmill in heels.
9. Models' social media is more important than you think.
When auditioning, model candidates may be asked to share their social media. This is not to see their posts, but to check their number of followers. The more the better their chances of being selected. Therefore, they aim to become popular on social networks not only as a model but also as an 'influencer'. This is how they get job offers.
10. Not every design is made to be sold.
You may have wondered while watching a fashion show: 'Who would wear something like that on the street?' But clothes are not made to be sold in stores. As we said, for designers, fashion is not just beauty, it's art. So, when you see a fashion show with clothes that no one will wear, you should think that what you are seeing is actually an art exhibition.
Of course, there are also ready-to-wear fashion shows that are purely commercial. The clothes are sold in stores and tell us what the next trends are.
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