Supermodels and Superstars
Once each year, our fashion magazines dedicate an issue titled The Age Issue or The Shape Issue to prove how politically correct they are besides being in tune with the minds of real women. I dont challenge their tokenism often, especially when one agrees that the very moot of fashion is to create desire, an aspiration.
But a head-turner this January is Vogue Indias simply brilliant cover. It has on it Mehr Jessia, Indias last and arguably only supermodel, looking so fine. Shes dressed like a Christian bride, in a white gauze and lace corset dress by Marchesa. Her hair flies from the wind of the studio fan. She appears to wear no makeup or jewellery. And she looks every bit the supermodel even today.
Although some of our magazines have been around for a decade, fashion and luxury is still nascent in India. Our global fixation with celebrities, that started with Vanity Fair and their Diana covers, have pushed models out of the limelight. Where they were once toasted as touch-me-not stars, celebrated for their attitude and elevated lifestyles, models are mere catwalkers these days. If they want to be in the news, models today need to either join the movies, take part in a reality show, or sometimes, tragically, end their lives.
A few years ago, almost every international magazine would have Angelina Jolie on their covers. The tabloids would cook up stories about her, just to have her mug on their top page. There she would be, helplessly sexy, with one or two of her multi-racial brood around, being the earth mother she was heralded as.
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Tags: Magazines