From body-shaming to fast fashion exploitation, from racist mindsets in modelling agencies to fashion’s gender pay gap, the fashion industry has many flaws hidden behind the sparkle and silk of the runway. Large fashion brands have been critiqued and often called out on their discriminatory outlooks, however they continue their rigid path in the form of size 2 models.
We are in the midst of an ever-changing era where the definition of beautiful is fluid and constantly transforming. However, the fashion industry’s celebration of beauty remains rigid; youthful, predominantly Caucasian, long-legged 5”9 and size 4. Unfortunately for many of us, we’ve had to watch this celebration of beauty from behind the screens.
The highest paying brands have imposed an ideology that makes representation in the fashion industry a meer gimmick. Modelling agencies and fashion outlets have crafted a glass window separating the hourglass sculptures from the uniquely sculpted. Without realising, with the help of the social media era, we have shamed the vast majority of beautiful women and enforced a comparison between every uniquely shaped woman. Fat shaming in this way has repeatedly been said to give rise to many mental health issues. There have been numerous psych studies discussing the fashion industry’s impact on both mental and emotional health, an implication that we all must fight.
Australian brand Kookai has recently sparked controversy of its own imperfections. Whilst their bodysuits and wrap dresses may sparkle on the mannequins and posed pictures, the reality is quite sad. Personally, I’d only heard of the stories regarding the Kookai scandals and fat-shaming a few weeks ago, however, this has been up for talk since 2014. For 6 years, people have pointed out Kookai’s narrow variety of sizes, screaming at us that being any size over 2 is unacceptable. For 6 years Kookai has ignored their buyers and continues to criticise the extra bite you took from that one cookie. Lucy Gransbury writes, “Unlike the Heart Foundation’s BMI calculator, clothing store Kookai thinks I’m fat,” after putting in $50 for a dress that snapped after one wear and much more for a dress that only came in size 1. To put this into perspective, the average Aussie woman is a size 16.
This may seem extreme to make a whole article out of. However, as a size 8 or 10 girl myself, I am fortunate to not notice that even in our favourite Aussie brands such as Cotton On and Factorie, it can be almost impossible to find jeans over size 14. How shitty would it feel as an average sized Australian woman, to be told that you’re fat every time you walk into the shops?
The Fashion Journal has recently discussed the idea of fashion brands implementing diversity quotas. In a very performative fashion, some of the biggest brands have rendered themselves ‘enough’ through heavily praising that ONE size 8+ women on their modelling team. Glorifying that ~one~ size 14 woman on every social media platform that exists is not enough.
The ugliness of the overly praised fashion industry, unfortunately, cannot be covered within meer paragraphs and a three-minute read article. So, I plead you to educate yourself on the ways that many of your favourite brands have restricted their audience, and have communicated a form of discrimination Take note of the sizes on the shelf. Take notice of not only how it affects yourself, but the girl behind you who just came back from the change room, unable to fit into the largest size there is. Fight against this stigmatisation and remember all sizes are beautiful.
Source: cougarcourier.com
More information:
The Ugly Side of Fashion & The Road Forward | Sexual Harassment, Body Shaming and Non - Payment
Ayumi Sofyan
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