MODELING: the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Summary by Krater

An overview of the history and evolution of fashion modeling from the late nineteenth century to the present, discussing the origins of mannequins, the rise of the supermodel in the 1980s and 1990s, and the industry's economic and body-image realities.

From the video

Answers: What is the history of fashion modeling and how has the industry evolved over time?

• History of fashion modeling
• Mannequins in early fashion shows
• The 1980s and 1990s supermodel era
• Body image and size standards in modeling
• Plus-size modeling and industry economics

What it concludes

• In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, models were called living mannequins and viewed as morally corrupt because their jobs entailed showing their bodies.
• Henry Ford's introduction of the assembly line in 1914 influenced fashion shows to standardize models and present them as mass ornaments.
• John Robert Powers opened the first modeling agency in New York in 1923, increasing model fees and enforcing strict height and weight requirements.
• Mary Quant revolutionized runway modeling in the 1960s by hiring top photographic models who could move naturally and bring personality to the catwalk.
• Gianni Versace propelled the 1990s supermodel era by outbidding competitors and inflating model rates from $10,000 to $50,000 for runway appearances.
• The introduction of television in Fiji in 1995 led to a rise in eating disorders among adolescent girls attempting to mirror Western body images seen on TV.