Four Reasons Why "Unpretty" Works for High Fashion Modeling

Sexy ugly. Awkward. Unpretty. If you've been paying close attention to the fashion world, then you realize that these terms are far from insults. On America's Next Top Model, Tyra Banks frequently uses terms like these to describe the way the models should look when attacking their photo shoots. Indeed, many of the traditionally pretty young women are often dismissed early on into the competition for just this very reason. In a world that seems dominated by disgustingly beautiful women, why is it that awkwardness is celebrated in the high fashion modeling industry?

There really is no such thing as "universally pretty."

No matter what you see when thumbing through fashion and glamour magazines, rest assured that there really is no real standard of beauty. Yes, the tired and beat-up adage about beauty being in the "eye of the beholder" is actually true. Jessica Simpson explored this adage during her VH1 reality series "The Price of Beauty." It is often easier to celebrate someone's unique qualities-rather than honoring features that can be found (or duplicated) on millions of women.

High fashion is often weird.

Haute couture is about providing a visual fantasy through clothing. Designers attempting to do that are counting on their models serving as muses for their designs. Certainly, the high fashion modeling world is filled with gorgeous look-alikes. But the unconventional beauties who stand out the most, are usually the ones who compliment these avant-garde fashions the best.

What's "in" changes too quickly.

Agencies and designers work in tandem to cultivate what will be "in" in any given season. Somewhere in a fashion lounge in Milan, a designer (whose name you'll have trouble pronouncing) is already working on what will be hot on runways in 2012. The bottom line is that trends change very quickly. Designers need models that will continue to enthrall and surprise audiences. "Unpretty" models usually have the kinds of interesting qualities that keep up well with the times.

Designers want consumers to relate to their work.

It's only a matter of time before audiences start getting bored with seeing the same flawless faces time and time again. Designers know that their clothes will eventually be "watered down" into configurations that will be sold en masse to people like you. It helps to have beautiful people with eccentric features prove to consumers that these designs will look great on regular people.

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