A picture of Louis Vuitton's model line-up for the Fall/Winter 2010 show was recently leaked online and caused an uproar of men (and maybe some women) posting about how awful some of these models looked (without makeup) and commenting on how unattractive some of them were, in general.
(click to enlarge- source: Jezebel)
Note that Victoria's Secret models Alessandra Ambrosio and Adriana Lima are included in the lineup, as well as Elle Macpherson. I'm really confused why some men seem to think these models are completely unattractive. Most women are lucky if they look fabulous without a touch of makeup, and I think a lot of these models do fall into that category of still looking quite cute with no makeup on and their hair pulled back.
Like the article stated, runway and high fashion models tend to go against the norms of what men find attractive and beautiful.
An excerpt from the article:
Modeling is just one of the many areas of the fashion industry that does not give much consideration to men and their alleged needs. It is not created or intended to serve men's tastes. What these men are noticing is merely fashion's long-established tendency to find and glorify the most unusual good looks, rather than the interchangeably pretty, thin-but-curvy, pneumatic appearances that are validated by beer ads and Maxim throughout the West.
Most men aren't married to those "Maxim" type women (and even they, without makeup and airbrushing aren't without flaws.) It makes me wonder what the wives or girlfriends of the men making the mean-spirited comments about these models look like in the morning with no makeup on. I know I sure don't look fantastic when I go to bed at night with my makeup washed off, proactive mask dotted onto any blemishes, and eye cream under my eyes (but hey, beautifying overnight is important for a glow-y morning so sometimes looking like a Halloween monster before bed is necessary- at least it's dark!)
The same issue can be seen on shows like America's Next Top Model 
where a lot of men (and women) don't find the models attractive, by conventional standards. You'll notice though that the top-paid models like Victoria's Secret Models and the most popular runway models do tend to be more conventionally (if not exotically) beautiful than some of the lesser-known high fashion and runway models who can be a little quirkier or unique-looking.
where a lot of men (and women) don't find the models attractive, by conventional standards. You'll notice though that the top-paid models like Victoria's Secret Models and the most popular runway models do tend to be more conventionally (if not exotically) beautiful than some of the lesser-known high fashion and runway models who can be a little quirkier or unique-looking. Here are my questions for you:
1. Is it ridiculous for men to criticize how women look when they aren't wearing any makeup? Are men holding women to a crazy standard? (think of all of the men that tell their wives or girlfriends that "they prefer them without makeup"...are these the same men trashing these models?)
2. What do you think about conventional versus non-conventional beauty? Do you find sort of unique looking models to be inspiring or interesting, or do their looks not appeal to you?
3. There seems to be this obsession with "celebrities caught without makeup" type photos...why do you think that is? Is it because it makes us feel better about ourselves, or do people just love to trash someone the moment they aren't styled and made-up the way they usually are?
Share your thoughts and comments below! Thank you for reading!
Before I go, here is a vacation picture of model Alessandra Ambrosio, looking naturally gorgeous:
xoxo,
Veronika.