Models give unrealistic body standards for girls. The fashion industry promotes eating disorders. Ad campaigns objectify women. These are all a part of the reputation placed on the modeling industry. The modeling industry is also one of the only industries where women earn legions more than men.
The top 10 earning models of 2017 were all women, according to Forbes. Kendall Jenner took the top spot at $22 million, ousting Gisele Bundchen from number one for the first time since 2002. The number one earning male model of 2017, Sean O’Pry, falls far behind at $1.5 million.
Money is not the only way modeling favors women. Women models get the name recognition, the titles, the awards, better contracts, and more coverage in the news. The top ten list of highest paid female models were easily recognizable by name and face. The male models on the list were vaguely recognizable by face, if that, and not at all by name.
Only eight men in Vogue magazine’s history have ever been on the cover, and never solo. Most of these men were not even models, but rather husbands or boyfriends of the models, such as Zayn Malik posing with girlfriend Gigi Hadid on the cover of the August 2017 issue.
The male model is often used as a prop to the women models in big ad campaigns. Agencies are opening new additions for plus sized female models, but plus sized male models have yet to make it into the mainstream. Male models have to confirm to the industry standards by doing things that other men would never do, like shaving their legs.
Female models are in a position to use their platform to effect social change, and get their messages out there. Karlie Kloss, one of the top 10 highest paid models, started the nonprofit Kode with Klossy, and encourages girls to break in to the STEM fields, providing coding summer camp, and scholarships to girls. Ashley Graham, the first plus sized model to ever be on the cover of sports illustrated, uses her following to promote body positivity. Cara Delevingne, a model and actress, is a vocal advocate for LGBT rights. Men do not have the following to have as much social power as their women counterparts do.
Women should stand behind the modeling industry. Gender inequality is a huge problem facing the world. The modeling industry is setting a wonderful example for other industries to follow. Feminism is defined as “The advocacy of women’s rights on the grounds of political, social, and economical equality to men.” The modeling industry is propelling women forward, not setting women back.
Zoe Stitzer is a freshman studying journalism news and information at Ohio University. Please note that the views and opinions of the columnists do not reflect those of The Post. Do you think you agree? Let Zoe know by tweeting her @zoe_stitzer.
