The fashion industry's journey towards diversity and inclusion has been a topic of much discussion and debate, but a recent study sheds light on the persistence of beauty standards over the last 25 years. Despite attempts to embrace diversity, the ideal body type remains unchanged, raising questions about the industry's progress and the impact it has on society.
The Unchanging Ideal
The study, conducted by researchers from Denmark, the US, and Austria, analyzed a vast collection of fashion imagery, including fashion shows, advertisements, and magazine covers, spanning from 2000 to 2024. Their findings reveal that while there has been an increase in the representation of diverse body types, the typical model's body has not evolved.
One of the key observations is the inclusion of "a small number of models at the extremes," but these outliers do not reflect the average body size in America. In fact, even the plus-size models in the industry are still below the average US body size, indicating a disconnect between the fashion world's definition of plus-size and the reality of American women.
Diversity's Intersection
While the fashion industry has made strides in including non-white models, with their representation rising from 13% in 2011 to over 40% in recent years, there's a catch. Non-white models are significantly more likely to be plus-size, suggesting that diversity efforts are concentrated on a specific intersection rather than being broadly distributed.
This raises an important question: Are we truly embracing diversity, or are we merely tokenizing certain individuals to appear inclusive?
The Push for Change
Anne Hathaway, in her interview with Variety, highlighted her efforts to promote diversity and inclusivity on the set of "The Devil Wears Prada 2." She noticed a lack of representation in body types among the models and took action, requesting a wider range of body shapes to be featured.
Meryl Streep, Hathaway's co-star, praised her initiative, acknowledging that diversity in model sizes had not been adequately addressed. Hathaway's stand-up approach led to a quick change in casting, ensuring a more inclusive representation on screen.
A Different Perspective
However, not everyone agrees with Hathaway's approach. Xaviaer DuRousseau, a conservative influencer, argued that Hathaway was discriminating against models who had worked hard to achieve their physiques. He believed that models should represent the "golden standard" for health and wellness, and by promoting inclusivity, Hathaway was rewarding those who didn't have to work as hard.
The Impact of Unattainable Standards
The study's researchers highlight the negative consequences of exposing viewers to unrealistic body ideals. Social comparison with extremely thin female models and lean, muscular male models can lead to body dissatisfaction, eating disorders, psychological distress, and even higher mortality risks. These extreme representations foster unhealthy habits and contribute to a culture of body image issues.
Conclusion
The fashion industry's journey towards diversity and inclusion is complex. While there have been efforts to embrace a wider range of body types, the ideal body image remains elusive. The study's findings highlight the need for a deeper understanding of diversity and the impact it has on society. It's time to question whether the industry is truly embracing inclusivity or merely perpetuating a cycle of unattainable beauty standards.
