Mainstream media's ideal standard of female beauty

The contemporary media in the UK generally seems to uphold a specific and ideal standard of beauty regarding the female gender. This article arrived at the conclusion above based on the description of popular female figures in the society by some of the top newspapers and magazines in the fashion sector (Elle, Grazia, and Dazed).

Elle

The Elle magazine posted an article on their official website that focused on the fashion sense of Anne Hathaway based on her appearance in high end red carpet events. In the said article, Hathaway is described as having a slender body frame and a luminous pale skin by the author, who then proceeds to term this physique as enviable.

Grazia

Also, the Grazia magazine posted an article on their website that centred on the fashion sense of Gigi Hadid based on her daily wear. The author of the article in question introduces the topic by stating that Hadid is a supermodel by nature as having a model physique and a good fashion style is embedded in her genetic makeup. Later on, within the body of the article, the author proceeds to mention Hadid has a long and slender body that can fit in bulky clothes and make her look flattering.

The same media house, Grazia, posted another article addressing the fashion sense of Taylor Swift based on her dress code over the years. The author of this particular article mentions that Swift is very beautiful because she has long legs, a slender body, and blonde hair. The author proceeds to state that the physique of Swift is something that other people can only dream of.

Dazed

Conversely, the Dazed magazine posted an article on their official website that focused on the utilisation of beauty as a tool for protesting among the female gender in various societal contexts. In this particular article, the author mentions that women in South Korea are often required to observe a specific standard of beauty that implies perfection. The author proceeds to clarify that this standard of beauty entails having a slender body frame, flawless skin, long hair, and large eyes.

Last, in the context of the fashion media, the Dazed magazine posted an additional article that discussed the personal experiences of Sophia Apollonia. In the said article, Apollonia particularly mentions that she grew up all her life exposed to media that depicted a specific standard of female beauty. According to her, this beauty standard involved having a pale skin, blonde heir, slender nose, and coloured eyes.

The ideal standard of female beauty

From the discussion presented above, it can be ascertained that the ideal standard of beauty regarding the female gender within the fashion media involves aspects such as pale skin, blonde hair, and a slender body frame. Thus, the fashion media is actively perpetuating stereotypes about female beauty.

The impact on audience

This practice has some significant consequences for their audience. For example, a significant proportion of the market for magazines such as Elle, Grazia, and Dazed - that focus on fashion topics - consists of young teenage girls that can easily be impressed upon. When they get the message from these magazines that the ideal beauty standard for women is a slender body frame, they could possibly feel external pressure to conform to this idea. Hence, most of them start monitoring and obsessing about their diet, and some resort to extremities such as starvation and regurgitation. This can eventually develop into eating disorders such as Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa.

Also, the current ideal beauty standard maintained by the fashion media undermines the core principles of anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion (ADEI). When fashion magazines such as Elle, Grazia, and Dazed communicate that the ideal beauty standard for women is a pale skin and blonde hair, they're implying that women from marginalized populations such as Blacks, Asians, and Latinas do not conform to this particular standard. Women from minority races could get the impression that they are undesirable and unattractive by default due to the color of their skin and hair. Thus, the fashion media is facilitating contemporary forms of imperialism and oppression due to their position of privilege and power. They are further reinforcing the ideology of White supremacy.

Call to action

The public has been silent for long, just playing along and accepting this social injustice. But, it is time to now speak up and fight against the practice of the fashion media defining what the ideal beauty standard for women should be. Civil rights movements should advocate and lobby for the fashion media to be held accountable and responsible for the message they share to their audience so as to promote ADEI.