Beauty Stereotypes
Over the years I have created projects that take a closer look into gender stereotypes. I try my best to help break these stereotypes and to reveal them as the overwhelming shadows that they can be. Here are examples of that in an image analysis of a model who faces those shadows more than the average person.
Beauty Stereotypes American Women Face
Bekah Smith
In society today, individuals face many battles in the world of media. In visual communication especially, controversies and ethical battles can be picked out among many of the visuals found in the media. Historically, in regard to specific images having to do with women being constantly branded and marketed to American culture, society has created somewhat unrealistic standards for women in the process. Examples of these standards can be seen in movies, television, and magazines. It can be heard in music, seen anywhere on the internet and can often times come up in conversation. Women have faced these kinds of battles for years, because they have been a large issue in past and present culture. Issues such as stereotypes, beauty standards, clothing standards, ways in which society believes women should think or act. All of these issues are at hand when a woman is represented in an image, however often times women fight back to change these ideas that are considered to be normal in society. I have chosen this image because as a woman like the model in the image, the historical perspective that I connect this image to, are the battles that women have always faced and will more than likely continue to face in the media.
The model in this image named Melanie Gaydos, fights against what society has come to consider beautiful or what represents beauty. Gaydos was born with a condition called ectodermal dysplasia as well as alopecia. Ectodermal dysplasia causes abnormal growth in some parts of her body and alopecia prevents hair growth. However, neither of these conditions take away from Gaydos’ beauty and this is something that she recognizes. After doing some research on Gaydos I found that the process of acceptance for her was long and hard, but she is much more comfortable with who she is now. Not only does Gaydos embrace her body, but she is a beautiful witness of a successful young individual. She is a college graduate and is now successful in launching her modeling career. I admire her for pursuing modeling because she is taking a bigger chance than any other woman by putting herself in a vulnerable position of being constantly rejected. But her obvious talents and drive got her to where she is today and that is something admirable.
Breaking down this image from a critical perspective, it appears to be a woman in a dress made of what appears to be flowers, she has signs of abnormality, but also signs of grace and femininity. She bows her head in grace or perhaps shame, but the positioning of her torso expresses that she is confident and comfortable. The darkness surrounding her could be the association of societies negative perceptions of women, but especially of people with disabilities. From a semiotic standpoint, the flowers draped around her body suggest the femininity and beauty. This is because flowers are generally associated with women, such as when a bride carries a bouquet on her wedding day. This image is inspiring because it speaks out to women, especially to those with greater flaws than most. It suggests humility, grace, and beauty all of which are characteristics of a woman. It is empowering to women in American culture for it pushes those ideas of beauty to side, suggesting a real concept of beauty. This image is important because in a way it is calling out to society reclaiming the definition of what it means to be a woman and how people perceive beauty.
From an American culture perspective this image goes against what is considered to be normal in terms of how women are regarded as. In the fashion industry especially, and also when gender stereotypes come into play women face unattainable beauty standards. Perfect skin, straight teeth, long soft hair, sultry mannerisms, these and more are characteristics in which most people think of when defining a beautiful woman. Often women can be seen attempting to break out of the standards that media perceives them as, and I think this image an example of just that. In this image Gaydos is seeing slightly bowing her head down. This angle can be seen in an elegant sort of way, but also maybe defeat? In American culture women are often perceived as less intelligent than men as another part of how the media has portrayed women. While she clearly has no problem being in front of a camera, perhaps she still struggles with the stigmas of suffering major physical differences as a woman in today’s culture.
While either of these perspectives may or may not be the case I believe the purpose of this image, though one of many, is to make a stand against the standards in which society pushes for women and beauty. The concept of women who are picture perfect is an idea that is challenged by individuals just like Gaydos who stand to change this mindset. Gaydos is a unique definition of beautiful as everyone is in their own ways. She embraces and challenges what are considered to be the norms of beauty and that alone makes this image strong. This image is powerful in my opinion because it empowers women to embrace their own insecurities and be proud of the way they are no matter their flaws.
The best way in which I can describe my personal perspective of this photograph is inspiring and awe. I am in amazement that this woman is no longer afraid to get behind a camera or pursue a name for herself in an environment in which judgement courses like no other. The world of fashion and modeling is a world in which whoever enters really has to put themselves out there to make it successfully. While I find the photograph beautiful, I am sure not everyone sees it as such. Unfortunately, this is because society has affected the way in which people perceive women especially in terms of fashion and beauty. Some might say Gaydos has no business representing women and femininity, others such as myself, might cheer her on and follow her lead.
From an ethical perspective, do I think this image should have been created? Most certainly. As an artist, an American citizen, a student, but most importantly as a woman in today’s culture, I can relate to what it is like to face the constant standards in which society pushes for women to embrace. The perfect body, the charming attitude, the stereotypes of how women should act, these ideas are faced and often challenged by many women in the world today. The photographer, Irvin Rivera was out to make a statement with this image and Gaydos had to have been in agreement. For her to step behind a camera lens of any photographer she must feel empowerment knowing that she is challenging society by speaking out by using her body to make a statement in a beautiful manner. Choosing to represent women and femininity in this image, Gaydos embraced it and did so successfully.
This image appears to have been created with a purpose of sharing a beauty that the world does not often always see. Whether the photograph is film or digital I do not know, however I do know that this is not the only image out in the media that portrays a different idea of what it means to be a beautiful woman. Images such as this are important reminders to have in society today. These sorts of images are reminders that not one woman is perfect or better than another. This is a reminder that each woman is beautiful. In media especially, controversial subjects can easily come to light through an image or a video. This image presents the concept of simple beauty, acknowledgment and self-love. There is femininity in Gaydos and how she presents herself. There is also femininity and beauty in the way in which she proudly wears the dress with flowers and reveals hints of her body. The focus in this image is not on her but on women overall and she is speaking in this image for all of the women who face the unreasonable standards in which society has created.
My hopes are that visual artists embrace this switch of gears. Beauty does not come in one box, each and every person is beautiful in various ways. As a visual communicator who enjoys fashion photography as well, I hope to always remember the importance of what beauty means. Beauty does not mean cookie cutter perfect. Being beautiful is just a part of being human and it includes each and every flaw. As a woman I have challenged myself to embrace these flaws and I would hope that others would do the same. Gaydos is an inspiration and an example that should empower women. I hope to be a part of the movement that reverses societies deluded perceptions of human beauty and to adopt into American culture real attainable standards that women can hold themselves to.
"Melanie Gaydos: Partially Blind Art Graduate Born with Rare Condition Launches Successful Modelling Career in New York." Indepent.co.uk. Heather Saul, 2 Sept. 2015. Web. 5 Apr. 2017.