Ideal Beauty: One Size Doesn't Fit All

Ideal beauty is such an arguable thing; beauty is in the eye of the beholder after all, however, there are a certain set of 'rules' when it comes to what is considered ideal in the fashion industry.


One of my favourite editorials of late is the 'One Size Fits All' photo essay for V Magazine (below)

Photography by Tony Richardson


The model on the left Jacquelyn Jablonski is considered the "ideal" measurements for modelling. The model on the right Crystal Renn, however, is considered plus sized.


PLUS SIZE MODEL:


The requirements for female plus-size models are no different from those of other models, except for larger bust-waist-hip measurements; the minimum acceptable height is generally no shorter than 5'9"/175.3 cm and they must have clear skin, good bone structure and a well-proportioned body. While there are a small number of male plus-size models represented by agents, there are no clear height and size requirements.

NAME: Crystal Renn
HEIGHT: 5'9"
MEASUREMENTS: 39-32-43


VINTAGE:


The 'vintage' ideal, that is, in the era of Marilyn Monroe, promoted similar proportion, but boasted a smaller waist with a larger bust and hips.

NAME: Marilyn Monroe
NATIONALITY: American
HEIGHT: 5'5.5"
MEASUREMENTS: 35-22-35

NAME: Dita von Teese
NATIONALITY: American
HEIGHT: 5'4"
MEASUREMENTS: 34C-23 -33


STANDARD/ SUPER MODEL:

NAME: Jacquelyn Jablonski
NATIONALITY: American
HEIGHT:5'9.5"
MEASUREMENTS: 32-24.5-34.5

NAME: Kate Moss
NATIONALITY: British
HEIGHT: 5'6" - 5'7"
MEASUREMENTS: 33-23-35

NAME: Miranda Kerr
NATIONALITY: Australian
HEIGHT: 5'9"
MEASUREMENTS: 34-24-34

NAME: Tyra Banks NATIONALITY: American
HEIGHT: 5'10"
MEASUREMENTS: 36C-24-36

NAME: Naomi Campbell
NATIONALITY: British
HEIGHT: 5'9.5"
MEASUREMENTS: 34B-23-34

NAME: Heidi Klum
NATIONALITY: German
HEIGHT: 5'9.5"
MEASUREMENTS: 35-24-34

NAME: Gisele Bundchen
NATIONALITY: Brazilian
HEIGHT: 5'10"
MEASUREMENTS: 34-24-34

NAME: Lara Stone
NATIONALITY: Netherlands
HEIGHT: 5'10"
MEASUREMENTS: 33-24-35


MODEL TURNED ACTRESS:

NAME: Angelina Jolie
NATIONALITY: American
HEIGHT: 5'7"
MEASUREMENTS: 36C-25.5-35

NAME: Cameron Diaz
NATIONALITY: American
HEIGHT: 5'10"
MEASUREMENTS: 34A-24-34.5


ANOXERIC:


Luisel Ramos died on the catwalk in 2006 due to a mass heart attack caused by malnourishment. At the time of her death she had a body mass index (BMI) of just 14.5. She weighed 44kg (97lbs) at a height of 1.75m (5'9"). The World Health Organization considers a BMI of around 16 to be starvation.

This should NEVER be allowed on the catwalk.