There are many misconceptions about people in the fashion industry. The first one I will touch on is that models are considered a DIVA – deranged, implacable, vindictive, and adamant. Even I was a bit intimidated about working in the fashion industry prior to becoming involved due to the warnings received about by other working models and reading about the behaviors of some of the famous models. But that is all hype. DIVA behavior is “news-worthy”, not the pleasant, helpful nature of others I have seen throughout my experience in the industry.


From the models, to designers, to make-up artists, all are trying to work together to accomplish a goal: get their brand out to be known. Albeit there are attitudes to work around regarding how to best represent something or someone’s work but overall that is something that is faced in every aspect of life and in all types of industries. For example, I come from a background in the science field and our goal was to get the product out to the public. There are many aspects and groups that are involved to make this happen. These groups have to come together to work out the details regarding who is responsible for what, if the deadline is a possibility, and the best route how to get this accomplished. In this same aspect, the fashion industry has many parts to the whole working towards one common goal.


Another misconception that I have found is regarding the lesser number of male models versus female models (or rather male ethnic models). There is a plethora of handsome men in this world. However, many shy away from even the notion of being a male model. For most it is the impression that the men are believed to be of a particular sexual orientation or are narcissistic. But this is far from the truth. Many of the male models I have worked with are just confident in whom they are. It is a job for them, a career, nothing more. Now, I am sure some of those individuals exist that they believe the world revolves around them but it is not my experience.
As far as sexual orientation, heterosexuals and homosexuals are both present in this industry as well as all other industries AND it pertains to both men and women. I so hope that these barriers and stigmas will break down so that more and more male models will come to the forefront, step up to the challenge of being a male fashion model and allow us to gaze upon the eye candy they represent .


I am thankful that the final misconception I will discuss has finally begun to be wrestled into submission: models have to be pencil thin! I am considered a full-size or plus-size model because I have hips, a large bust, and wear a double digit size. Mind you in the world view I am considered “skinny” but in the fashion industry I am in the “thick or big girl” category. I do not wish to become super small that I wear a size 2 or 4. And definitely do not believe I can achieve the size of 00 nor 0. And frankly, I hardly saw those sizes as a teenager and I was always considered “a skinny bean pole”. I was just very hippy or curvy and athletic so I was “thick”. I would have to starve myself to get to that point. I was pleasantly pleased to read that high end fashion designers are leaning toward a healthier sized model, i.e. Mark Fast using size 14 models on the runway. This gave me a ray of hope that one day more “plus-sized” women will be used in the high end fashion part of this industry.

by Juanica