MODEL DON'T GO TO BROTHEL

I was going through my tumblr feed today and stumbled upon this article that instantly stopped me scrolling. It was an article of an incident that occurred on an actual runway at one of the S/S14 shows where two femme activists burst onto the catwalk in the midst of the show, topless, screaming and "model, don't go to brothel" scrawled across their chests in paint.

It struck me.

And being an aspiring fashion designer/communicator, this made me take another glance at the fashion industry and then a look at the public and how they perceive it so.
The two women, unknown, crashed a Nina Ricci S/S14 show at Paris Fashion Week, erupting from the crowd, cheering, trying to communicate with the models. the ones sat down, and those witnessing everything live over the live stream to those with internet access. They were then, seconds later, drug violently off-catwalk by a body guard to then be dispatched outside.

It may sound a little dramatic and over shown, however I think that in 2013/2014 while women's rights are steadily gaining more recognition and respect. Sometimes people are turning an eye from the bigger picture. What was these women's message? To end sexual exploitation for sure, but on the other hand, to challenge a multibillion industry, they seem to be targeting the fashion world and the downfall of existing/aspiring models and those who are idolising them. It's not just sexual exploitation, they are almost challenging how fashion is almost setting guidelines to how we live, to dictate how we dress; almost forming  a social group in which you need an exclusive Willy Wonka's golden ticket to enter the private world of the 21st Century elites. This has happened centuries before now, but it's now become almost political. And that's a damn shame.

It's high school all over again. Only the sickest of body weight need apply, those who roll in fistfuls and those who know the person of the person of the person who did that one runway in this seasons fur. Also your granddaddy may also be Karl Lagerfeld. It's madness.
Fashion used to be a way of expressing your identity, instead of hiding it under wraps of faux leather because Dolce And Gabana told you so.

But what these two women are doing is a little bit of slut shaming which isn't fair. The models know very well what they are doing, how much skin they're showing and how much money they are ending up earning. You can't pull the polo necks over their eyes, no sir.
It's a similar situation with those of the sex industry, escorts and prostitutes know what they are doing, they are getting good money from it, and they don't really care. These women are confident in themselves whether they are promoting their own promiscuity or not. But to assume that models, because wearing see-through shirts, are "harlots" and "sluts", are extremely wrong.
We should just take a step back from upping in everyone's grill, so to speak, check yourself before assuming the worst and really evaluate feminism. Yes I agree that the whole concept of "sex sells" in the fashion industry- but remember, both female and MALE models do this. It is not exactly targeting one specific genre. However I have beef with those who promote anorexia, bulimia, and other guidelines on how to look to "fit in" or "be trendy". That is meddling with mental illness. And if those two protesters are squaring up about that, then that is a noble cause for sure.
At the end of the day, I have my beliefs and those two, albeit brave, women  have theirs. And if you're passionate about a thing, NEVER GIVE UP ON IT. Stick to your gut feeling and don't back down because someone in crocodile-leather shoes is telling you to.

Madison
xxx