Paper details:
As a Fashion Media student, the topic i have chosen for my paper is on Body Image; on how the fashion industry has slowly come to the changes of promoting body positivity after all the previous eras of concealing and alterations of the body to conform to the ideal look as set by the society due to the influence of fashion.
The case studies i have currently is on Adwoa Aboah on how as the successful model she is today, she has had many struggles before such as depression and drug abuse just because she did not look like the people she was surrounded by when she was younger. Her struggles then brought her to start her Gurls Talk project and her being a fashion model, it makes people who feel outcasted due to their appearance feel like they could relate to her.
Another case study i have is on the We Speak modelling agency where they not only sell the beauty of their models but to take up the responsibility of ensuring that their models are healthy. They also make use of their good following on social media to promote healthy state of minds and support one another through their journey when they are feeling down.
I am struggling on the part where i have to include more theoretical sources from books.
The attached document is for reference as to how i have started my paper and the direction i am working towards.
Body Alterations to Body Positivity
The standard bodies seen in the fashion industry is a cultural construct that shifts with time emphasising different proportions and silhouettes. It has rooted itself to seem like a fixed expectation which results in affecting the way we view our own bodies. Although the ideal body has greatly shifted through time and generations, the foundation of the form remains. Throughout the years, the fashion industry has treated the body as malleable, shaping to the needs of the desired physical appearance of the period. Body image is the conscious thoughts the mind has of the physical form. The impact of these thoughts result to having either a positive or negative feeling with the latter being the cause of body image issues that exist up to today. The perception towards the physical body are mostly influenced by the views society has which eventually creates an unconscious mark as to what is considered ideal and what is not. This paper is going to look at how the fashion industry has impacted society. The fashion industry has always left an impression of having to conceal our flaws but today it is finally seen the acceptance of physical differences. This paper will analyse to what extent and in what ways it is a source in shaping many minds throughout the decades and how the magnificent changes in the recent years have helped create a more positive outlook to the way we view ourselves. There will also be a discussion on current models who are more than just physical beauty that sells and those whose physical appearance stand apart from those stereotyped ideal body images and the impact it could make. There will be an elaborated discussion at length on the course of these unconventional-labeled models redefining perceived beauty and shaping the minds of the society today and their breakthrough to self-acceptance.