Many people mistakenly believe fashion is not for them. They may despise the industry for imposing unrealistic beauty ideals, or feel intimidated by the apparent glamour: Vogue editor Anna Wintour believes a fear of being wrong-footed in their style choices drives some to poke fun at fashion; like outsiders who wish they could be part of an elite club.
Ben Barry, a Canadian model agent who has gained world renown for representing models of all ages, sizes, races and abilities, is challenging the notion of exclusivity through his success at getting a diverse array of models onto the runways:
I believe fashion belongs to all of us. Fashion allows us to express our personality, moods, and desires; it can allow us to play and experiment with different looks and attitudes; and it allows us to appreciate craftsmanship and artistic vision. While all of us might not be in the fashion industry, we all have a role to play in helping create authentic images. We can support brands and magazines with our dollar. We can still play a role by changing how we think and speak about beauty each day. We can actively deconstruct the artifice of fashion images by picking them apart with our kids and friends. We can shift the dominant oppressive definition of beauty by calling our friends non-physical attributes beautiful –their laugh, heart, and mind.
Ben is at the forefront of a movement that says the aspirational can also be attainable. Instead of promoting impossible images in magazines and on runways, fashion professionals can create looks that are achievable:
When we showcase diversity in fashion, we have to remember it is fashion; diverse models should have the same glamour and artistry as the other models. Diverse images are aspirational, but they are also attainable and honest. A woman can actually look like the model, achieve her look, if she too got her hair and make-up done and put on a similar outfit. And today’s world is about authenticity; artifice feels very five years ago.
Fashion is meant to be fun and playful. It is a way for us to express our authentic selves in a way that feels good to us. Regardless of shape or size, we need to dress in a way that flatters our physicality, and we should do so within budget. Fashion is indeed for all of us: the key is showcasing on the outside all the beauty that resides within.
*You can read the Ben Barry interview in its entirety on Feature Writer Laura Kim Connell’s blog: For Those About to Shop
