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Abstract
Fashion models are often assumed to have a glamorous job with limited consideration for their well-being. This study aims to assess the well-being of models through semi-structured interviews with six professional fashion models and six industry professionals. Thematic analysis revealed that although models experienced improved self-confidence, they also reported heightened anxiety levels, body image issues and negative influence of modelling on their self-esteem. By contrast, industry professionals reported no or minimum concerns about anxious behaviours or the general well-being of fashion models. Being resilient as a model was perceived as an essential attribute to have by both models and industry professionals as they face recurrent rejection in this industry. These results demonstrate a significant gap in the current understanding of the well-being of fashion models between industry professionals and the models themselves. Findings imply that there is an inherent need for change in the modelling industry to promote and enhance their well-being.
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank all the participants (fashion models and industry professionals) for their time and willingness to participate in this research study.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.
Additional information
Notes on contributors
Emily Fortune Super
Emily Fortune Super graduated on the Dean’s Honour Roll from Simon Fraser University with her Bachelor of Arts in Humanities and Business. For a decade Emily worked as an international fashion model for top modelling agencies and fashion professionals globally. She then went on to complete her MSc in Applied Psychology in Fashion from the University of the Arts, London in 2020. Her research interest revolves around investigating the impact of the fashion industry. [email protected]
Ameerah Khadaroo
Dr Ameerah Khadaroo is a Lecturer in Psychology at the London College of Fashion, a Chartered Psychologist and Early Career Researcher at University of the Arts London. Her research interests include exploring fashion from a developmental psychological perspective, particularly with a focus on fashion, well-being and identity among young people. [email protected]
Aurore Bardey
Dr Aurore Bardey is an Associate Professor in Marketing at the Burgundy School of Business. Having designed the BSc (Hons) Psychology of Fashion, her expertise sits in applying psychology in fashion. Her research interests fall into three topics: (1) applying cognitive and experimental psychology concepts to enhance green consumer behaviour in fashion; (2) applying social psychology concepts to assess the impact of inclusive fashion on consumers; (3) evaluating the impact of fashion on wellbeing and cognitive performance. [email protected]