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Kristen Horton

Real Women vs. Models: Who do you want to see in a magazine?

Associated Press

BERLIN — Germany's most popular women's magazine announced Monday that it is banning professional models from its pages in favor of "real women" in an attempt to combat an unhealthy standard of rail-thin beauty that it says has isolated its readers. ...

"On its Web site, Brigitte announced to readers that "A New Epoch has Begun" and women to submit a portrait and full-body photos of themselves to considered for a photo shoot.

"We will pay the same fee as we would for professional models," Lebert said, adding that the magazine views the move as an investment. ... "We are not going to become a magazine for plus-sizes," he said.
(Lebert is the editor-in-chief of Brigitte)

From the same article:


Louisa von Minckwitz, who owns the German-based Louisa Models agency, told The Associated Press she believed the ban on models was a marketing gag that would not last for long. "Women want to see clothes on a beautiful, aesthetically pleasing person," von Minckwitz said.

Who do you want to see modeling clothing in a magazine: a "real woman" or a model?

Share your thoughts.

Tags: advertising, women

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Real Women - hands down! Don't you believe by having real women as "models" will build sales (through the roof)? Authenticity wins! As my man Gary Vaynerchuk would say, "The Truth is undefeated!". Show us the real you and you'll win the hearts of many (more).

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What we seem to forget is that the wares peddled by companies are aspirational in nature. Unless one can prove that using "Real" women will boost sales we will see ad agencies continue to professional models. This magazine should probably look at the real reasons for dwindling subscriptions and not blame professional models for its problems.

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http://insidecurve.lanebryant.com/buzz/lane-bryant-models-start-a-b...

I saw this yesterday too! I hope it's a trend because I know I don't look like a 'normal' model wearing my clothes!

-From Melinda the Other Intern on Neil's account!

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Hi Melinda,
Thanks for the link; here's the photo to: "Lane Bryant Models Start A Body Image Revolution"

"Lane Bryant salutes Glamour magazine for joining them in the new body revolution by featuring gorgeous plus-size models in their November issue."

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thanks for the link, too!

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Asinine. Every single woman in that picture is freakin' smokin' hot. If these nimrods really want the public to buy into the use of "real women" in magazines then they need to start recruiting lunch ladies from local high school cafeterias...if you catch my drift.



The women in the picture do not represent the typical, average American woman.



It would be nice if just once there was some transparency, honesty, and integrity in the media world.

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Okay I'm on SmallerIndiana now. That's my post. :)

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It's about time. i think women have so much more pressure to stay 'thin' compared to men. I favor 'regular gals' over models any day. Peace!

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Here is Dove's campaign to help women get a grip on what's real with beauty.

Dove Evolution

And here is their support of girls self image=

Dove True Colors

Deanna
millionairemindindy

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Real women!!!! Love that article in Glamour--it is a long time coming.

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Personally, I don't think it should be the typical skinny models, and don't think it should be the plus sized models in ads either. I think that encouraging fit/in shape/active women is the best image to be promoted.

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Good point Nicki - it would be nice to see women who work at good health - no particular size, just healthy for their body size/shape. Also, I would love to see magazines use real photos (without airbrushing) - or at least show the before & after photos.

What I find interesting is who is defining "real women" for the dove campaign & the other magazines/campaigns that are using "real women" (aren't all women "real"?)...

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