Evaluation of Model Agency

The evolution of beauty standards according to the fashion industry is rapidly improving by becoming more diverse and inclusive. However; to  truly appreciate the evolution we must first acknowledge the history of the model industry. 

During the 1920’s,  fashion modeling became an acceptable job choice for many women in America. This was a time where fashion had androgynous shapes that looked “best” on bodies free from curves. Models were considered mannequins and the job requirements were minimum.

Unfortunately for many African Americans;  this was also the era of Jim Crow. Which meant state & locals would enforce segregation. Resulting in many industries refusing to hire people of color due to the belief that black and whites could not share the same spaces. Many African Americans went on to pave their own way but this discrimination continued until 1965. 

Fast forwarding to 1946 “The birth of Ford Models” Owner  Eileen Ford  changed the culture from models being treated as props into models being treated as business womens. 

For over 4 decades this became the most important agency to influence beauty standards. 

Before the 1960’s Media and Diversity was not an important sector in the world of fashion; but after the Jim Crow laws were abolished, this became a major new era of representation for people of color. 

In 1972 John Casablancas created Elite Model Management which merged the world of celebrities and classic modeling.When Elite Model Management came onto the scene it gave birth to the concept of Supermodels.This allowed models to show more personality during the 80s. Now models were expected to dance, act and entertain down the catwalk. 

The Black community did not have model representation within the mainstream fashion magazines until the 1960’s. Naomi Campbell and Beverly Johnson were amongst  the first Blacks to grace the covers. In 1974 Beverly Johnson became the first African-American model to feature on the cover of American Vogue. 

Now we have alternative model agencies such as zebedee for people with disabilities , plus size and more.