Model to Role Model

It’s no secret that models are effectively role models. Since the birth of the supermodel in the 1990’s the respect and status of the model has evolved year on year and in correspondence to this, the figure of the model has become more and more influential. Young women alike, around the world, look up to models for various reasons and with the industry becoming more diverse than ever, there is always a glamorous figure that one can look up to and aspire to be like. The media depict the model life as either glamorous, or blame the modelling industry for a flurry of social, cultural and health issues. Both representations have equated to the ideals of the model and their lifestyle supporting why the profession is enviable and desired by many. Whether positive or negative publicity is publicity and with the use of technology being introduced both aspects are more accessible than ever. The obsession with models has undoubtedly rocketed higher than ever to date with the help of social media platforms creating real time, quick access to the behind the scenes aspects of a models lifestyle. Without saying, people choose the best bits of their lives to upload to social media but not a lot of young women realise that this is the case. 

Models can be greatly influential, young men and women look up to their role models and subtract the best bits of what they see on how they should live their lives. For models in particular, their roles are often solely focused on the appearance aspect. Young women look up to their model role models and look at how they dress, how their weight should be and what make-up they should wear. The role of a model as a job is heavily influenced by appearance, as it is down to personal image and the booking company’s preference as to whether an individual can make it as a model. 

Currently the topic of social media and its impacts are exhausted in news and analysis, however, it cannot go unnoticed as many new social media platforms heavily rely on the decisions of the account holder with a heavy emphasis on image uploading. Social media is perhaps making society shallow and with young girls surrounded by components that make them question their image, it is vital that models push the right message where they can. Models do not directly choose to be role models, but with the growing status of the title they have become so and should bare this in mind where they can. 

Recently, Model Issue has noticed that three key models have begun to make a change based on their experiences within the industry. This is a vital turn within the modelling era as it allows models to be seen for a lot more than their campaign and catwalk appearances, but highlights the creativity that they also possess. Models Adwoa Aboah, Leomie Anderson and Cameron Russel are all using the impact that their image has acquired to push a role model message.

Adwoah Aboah has made a huge impact to the modelling industry since coming onto the scene in various ways. The model has graced the covers of sought after fashion magazines and campaigns. Alongside modelling last year, Adwoa became part of a casting duo known as AAMO where she scouted and supplied models for clients that were heavily street casted. We have spoken about the bigger shift in the modelling industry that is surrounded by the unconventional, authentic beauty and that has been made successful due to the help of casting agents changing their direction. Fast forward to the present date and Adwoa spoke honestly about her own personal issues with sobriety, in a recent interview with Vogue the model describes that she recently became sober due to the help of women around her that helped her through. This pushed the model to explore an idea that was premature in the back of her mind called Gurls Talk. In a modelling scene dominated by the effects of social media Aboah curated the Insatgram account Gurls Talk which explores social justice rather than self promotion.Using the hashtag #letsgetgurlstalking as a call to women, Aboah spreads a larger message of honesty and openness directed to young women alike, a message she also plans on taking into local schools via an upcoming workshop. 

First discovered walking home from school, Leomie Anderson made her entrance to the modelling industry publicly after she was signed to Premier who featured on Channel 4’s The Agency, a documentary following Premier throughout a busy show season. Anderson has since gone on to secure big name clients including Marc Jacobs, Tom Ford, Chloe and Italian Vogue. The model is also an aspiring writer, which has led to her creation of her own blog that explores her life as a model, model tips and her love of clothes. The young, outspoken model has made headlines for making her voice heard about many issues within the modelling industry and more recently has been in the headlines to discuss the impact of social media consent. The model penned a blog post targeting her younger readers on the issues of slut-shaming and sexual assault. Anderson speaks directly to girls at odds with sexual pressure and the internet age. A note from the post read: “When I was younger, if I felt uncomfortable with anything, I knew I could call my agency and get them to say no,” she goes on to write, “When you’re at school, you don’t have that.” 

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Cameron Russell is an American fashion model, after coming to our attention in 2013 after appearing on Ted Talks to talk about the image of the model perceived by society the model has gone on to reach great heights for her impact as a model and as an influential figure. The now 28 year old model explores the ideals of body image and frequently holds events in a bid to generate a wider conversation about the modelling industry.