Ugly Models

To follow up on the previous post discussion “What Is Beauty?”…

The other day I happened to be at home while Rachael Ray was on, and because I love her, I watched the show. She had the coolest feature on about a talent agency called Ugly NY Talent, which is actually a sister agency to the original Ugly Models based in London. Anyway, the idea behind the agency is that instead of using only “traditionally beautiful” models in advertising and films, directors and producers of this type of media should also consider using people who exhibit other kinds of beauty in their appearance.

During the segment on the show, several of the “ugly” models gave their definition of “ugly”. One model said, “Ugly is the new pretty.” Another said, “Ugly is a different kind of beautiful.”

The thing is, these people weren’t ugly at all. They were unique, appealing in different ways, from being ordinary looking to extremely exotic or out-of-the-ordinary.

I like that these people are out there getting representation in the media. It really is time to stop promoting one type of “beauty”, that ultimately makes people feel bad about themselves. It’s time to see the beauty in everyone, and to help one another recognize that they are beautiful, inside and out.

I encourage you to take a look at the link to Ugly NY Talent. Check out some of their models. What do you think?

Also, if you are interested in reading up on the topic, check these out:

Eccentric Glamour: Creating an Insanely More Fabulous You by Simon Doonan

In Your Face: the Culture of Beauty and You by Shari Graydon

Duckling Ugly by Neal Shusterman

Uglies (series) by Scott Westerfeld

(Submitted by Katy @ CAM)