ears makes an argument that fashion producers, including designers and agents, choose
models based on their perception of femininity and how they will be perceived by the general
public. For example, fashion models are picked based on their soft and feminine features, while
commercial models are diverse with more attainable beauty. In contrast, high end models have
‘unique’ features with unconventional beauty. An interesting sociological idea that the author
points out is how these fashion producers are considered gatekeepers in their industry. They filter
models based on their appearance and the type of media they are modeling for to create an ideal
image for consumers. The filtering of models creates an inequality in the type of models chosen
for fashion and high end media. There is a specific ‘look’ for fashion and high end models that
results in skinny, white models chosen for magazines and the runway. Commercial models are
chosen to sell everyday clothing, so they are picked based on how relatable they would be to the
middle class. This includes more diverse body types and ethnicities. This process of choosing
models in fashion points to how we must also analyze social class, race, and gender with the
representation of women in the media.
          It is interesting that the author makes distinctions between the types of fashion media and
the models chosen for the different kinds. Especially since the majority of models in 2009 were
white and skinny, which created unrealistic beauty standards for the average young girl.
However, this is not a thing of the past. The rise of social media has led to more exposure of ads
and promotions of brands. In turn, this leads to more exposure to models and influencers who
also have a certain type of ‘look.’ Not only is the mass insecurity of young girls rising, but social
media also creates a space of promoting unhealthy habits. This includes risky diets, or lose
weight quick schemes that result in eating disorders, and distorted body image.
          Growing up as a Latina in the early 2000s, I didn't see people who looked like me in the
media. Usually, Hispanics were used to perpetuate stereotypes in shows or movies, and Hispanic
models in the industry were usually light skinned or white passing. After reading how
commercial models are chosen to be more relatable to the average girl, I can see how that applies
to posters hanging up in everyday retail stores. While I do think the fashion industry has made
progress in diversity (body size and race), we still have a long way to go in high end sectors of
the fashion world.
          The process of picking a model goes into deeper themes of social responsibility. The
same ‘white and skinny’ model is preferred for fashion modeling so audiences can focus on the

clothes, rather than the features of the model. Agents and designers put the blame on each other
for this, claiming that agents provide these types of models because that's what the designers
prefer. In order to change the type of models used in fashion media, the entire process of
scouting and marketing the models needs to change. Our entire perception of ‘the market’ needs
to evolve in order to make space for more diverse models because the wants of the public are
drastically different now.