Modelling blog

As reported across the fashion media, the organizers of one of the world’s largest fashion show, the Clothes Show Live (5th to 10th December 2008) announced the male models with waistlines between 26 and 28 inches will be considered as size zero and will be banned from joining the upcoming fashion show being organized by the said fashion show.

According to Clothes Show Live, thin male models are nothing but ‘Manorexia’, male version of anorexics.

Reportedly, men undergoing anorexia treatment has increased by 67 percent for the past 5 years. For this reason, the international beauty and fashion event has now taken the step of disqualifying unnaturally and unhealthily thin male models for the first time.

Before any male model will be allowed to join the fashion show, he will first be assessed if he is naturally or unnaturally thin by measuring his BMI or body mass index and when the model has a body mass index below 19, he will be classed as underweight. Not only this, but those with waistlines measuring 26, 27 and 28 inches are also not allowed to take part in the show.

The organizers of the Clothes Show Live further stated that they are doing these things because they are concerned about men following the super thin body associated with male celebrities like Russel Brand and Pete Dohety.

Every model – male and female – has to have an exceptional runway walk. To quote Tyra Banks, they must look ‘fierce!’. Models must also be versatile so that they can meet client requirements. If the client wants them to look mournful while walking down the runway, good models need to be able to convey that not only on their faces but on their walks too. The same goes for designers who want their models to look happy or ‘high’.

Ladies must learn to learn back, relax and walk on their heels. Nothing is more important in runway modeling than good posture. Designers look for models with good lines that will be able to display their clothes well. Leaning back is good for posture, but it should not be overdone – unless if the model wants to look like the Tower of Pisa.

Models need to relax too. Designers would never hire models that walk like stiff boards down the runway. Some eccentric designers may require models to walk like boards, but those are rare events. Both male and female models need to learn to relax. The easiest way to do this is to walk the runway like you are walking the street.

The heel to toe walk is advocated by most modeling coaches. Walking this way will help models avoid a ‘galloping’ walk. It is also much easier on the feet.

Transgender models are taking on Reality TV routes in a big way. One of the most talked about models is Isis King. King was one of the contestants in Tyra Banks’ reality TV show America’s Next Top Model. King was recently booted from the modeling show, but she says that she will still pursue her dreams in modeling and in fashion design. Another transgender character is Laverne Cox of ‘I Want to Work for Diddy’.

King was recently asked how she felt about becoming part of Top Model. She said, “Tyra picked me because of my performance and she picked me because I stood out in the background of a photo,” she told a magazine last week. “I don’t think that it’s a trend…she picked me for that reason.”

“I think the one message we always try to get out there, that Tyra always expresses, is you want to widen the spectrum of what is considered beautiful,” Said America’s Next Top Model producer Ken Mok.

J. Alexander, who works as a runway coach in Top Model is also known for his cross dressing ways.

Cox on the other hand was a strong contender on the hip-hop reality show. She has even referred to herself as a strong black woman.