Why are runway models so..unattractive?

Question

I'm not trying to be offensive here and no I'm not jealous (Im a guy), but I was curious as to why so many of the (female) runway models I see are so unattractive. Obviously attractiveness is subjective, but...they all seem to have a boyish face and a mad expression on their face. Shouldn't they want the prettiest models showing off their designs?

Heres an example:

http://www.style-spotlight.net/blog/wp-content/00140f.jpg

She's not too hideous, but hopefuly you know what I'm talking about. Model material? I'd say hell no, but apparently I'm missing something. So if you know the answer, I'd love to know. Thanks in advance.

Thanks for the replies so far. Some of you mentioned that only the clothing should be looked at, not them. But what about the effect of having a beautiful women wearing your clothing? It's just like commercials showing good looking people using the product. People will associate the two.
Someone said the fashion industry is run by gay men, that's an interesting theory.

Answer 1

I actually think the model you pointed out was pretty! A lot of designers will pick a model with a certain 'look' and for that designer, she had it. Runway models and tend to have a certain look. Runway models are tall with waif like bodies and they are not required to show emotion on the runway. Chimerical models are required to show more expression and usually are a bit curvier (particularly in the chest). Some models can do both looks:

Compare these two pictures of Kate Moss...the first one is a runway shot and the second one is a sexy topless shot....see the difference???

http://www.runwaymayhem.com/models/katem.html

http://www.americasbabes.com/Kate-Moss-p325.jpg

Models from the 90's always looked hot on the runway and in print...here's some proof:

http://www.coolestmag.com/cbigimage.php?celebname=Naomi_Campbell&imgname=Naomi_Campbell2.jpg

http://www.kmmod.com/cturlington/fashion/original/fa038.jpg

http://www.kmmod.com/cturlington/fashion/original/fa111.jpg

http://www.famous-people-search.com/cindy_crawford

http://biografie.leonardo.it/img/bio/c/Claudia_Schiffer.jpg

http://cajtung.t35.com/moda/karen_mulder_029.jpg

As you can see they looked a lot more like diva glamizons and less like waifs...I miss those days!

Answer 2

The whole point of runway models is to promote fashion lines, not to look beautiful. I once heard that a model should be like a blank canvass. So typically, models are not classically beautiful or everyone be focusing on their beauty rather than what they are wearing.

Also I'm not sure how many incredibly skinny girls with beautiful faces there are in the world. Beautiful faces have good bone structure, but also soft curves, which give a youthful and flattering appearance. When you are that skinny, the face has little fat and can look harsh and angular.

Obviously if the models in question were hair, skin or makeup models, they would need to be more classically beautiful as you would be focusing on the face and their bodies would not come in the equation, some of these types of models may even be overweight. HTH.

Answer 3

Runway models are only meant to show/display the dress or garments. I don't think its the x-factor that they're looking for in a model. Also, fashion models are judged on their so-called unique or distinguished features, y'know big cheek bones, thick lips, flat chested, super tall and lanky (so the spectators can see the dresses from a far). And I agree with the previous answer on 'its all about the dress'.

I guess there is no such thing as pretty fashion models (not make-up models) , or rarely. We hardly see Kate Moss in a beauty product ad, don't you think?

That's why we leave the pretty ones for beauty pageant, television stuff (acting/singing) cos they are the one to look at. Agree?

Answer 4

Runway models are chosen for their figure (or lack thereof) and height. They tend to look boyish because for some reason, designers find that they wear the clothes better (ridiculous yes, I know). But anyway, the more feminine/curvy models are often way too commercial which explains why they are more popular in magazines and the like.

Answer 5

Reason #1. They're unhealthy

Reason #2. From what I understand some of their faces are considered "interesting" by the people who decide who gets to be on runways.

Answer 6

Because, it's superficial. You wanna know what true beauty is to me? Girls that DON'T wear makeup! Honestly, a lot of guys prefer natural women... but women are too blind to see it and their insecurities crave more superficial madness... it's an endless cycle. Models are usually modeling ugly clothing anyway. You think that they would have some fashion sense... but nope.

Answer 7

They are human coat hangers. You are not supposed to even see them - only the clothes. If they were pretty, you might look at them. If they had boobs or hips, it would destroy the "line" of the "garment".

They are mostly being dressed by men who wouldn't be interested in them sexually if they were laying naked on the runway, legs spread, begging for it. You and they are looking for different things in a woman...

Answer 8

when modelling agencies look for models, they don't look for the typical beautiful girl....they're all about setting new trends...and that means setting a new trend of beauty. each girl they pick must have a unique face, or striking features, or something that makes them stand out from the rest. what's beautiful to you is way different than whats beautiful to fashion designers/modelling agencies.

Answer 9

You're focusing only on the fashion textile industry. They look bony and boyish because of the androginous elite that is attracted to that section of our world.
If you look at other modeling, it's not too bad, like Victoria's secret catalog, that's not too shabby. Or Sports Illustrated. That's modeling too and it looks fine to me.

Answer 10

You'd be mad as hell, too if you only had a cracker to eat in the last 48 hours. I think it's a hard business and not that many people realize the toll it takes to have to be "perfect" all the time.