Sunday 28 September 2014

No Makeup, No Problem: Marc Jacobs SS2015

Alright.  While this isn't the typical kind of blog post where I share things that are lovely and cute and girly, its still something that I've been meaning to blog about for awhile.  As an admirer of all things high-fashion, I've been following the fashion weeks (although to be honest, not as closely as I would've liked to), and of course the thing that stood out to me the most was Marc Jacob's no makeup show at NYFW earlier this September.  

It stood out to me for several reasons; the first being that it was such a testament to these models' strength that they were able to step out on that catwalk bare-faced and still super gorgeous and the second major reason being that it's a testament to how we have evolved that instead of being critical about the models' faces, the fashion community was able to collectively write praising articles and discuss the trends as opposed to nitpicking on the show.  

Of course, it helps that models like Joan Smalls and Karlie Kloss look like angels to begin with, but it doesn't change the fact that going out there sans-makeup is an incredible feat.  Models are expected to look beautiful always, whether they are on the runway or off, and although they look stunning without products, there are some supermodels like Naomi Campbell who have been through the rude tabloid mill multiple times. Coming out onto the runway is a great way to empower young girls and all girls everywhere and it can be suggested that the reason why their boldness was so written about was because it was a reminder that makeup and beauty products and everything are fun, but being normal without makeup can also be fun.  Its also normal.  Its a reminder to even myself, someone who doesnt rely extremely heavily on makeup, to embrace myself regardless.  Sidenote: I don't care what people say about makeup or 'society', pretty girls without makeup make me want to put on makeup to look like the models without their makeup on.  Sigh.  The message is strong, but it still makes us want to cry because we don't look like Karlie Kloss ;(

Back to a more serious note though; I appreciate Marc Jacobs' (and François Nars') idea of letting them walk the runway without makeup.  Whether or not it was their actual intention or they just wanted to have a unique show, it doesn't matter.  It helped people with their self-esteem and made them believe, even for a second, that without makeup, they could look as beautiful as Joan Smalls ;) 

As I mentioned earlier, the second reason is because I am proud of how we have evolved as humans that we were able to appreciate the beauty and the idea in this no-makeup show. The New York Times interviewed a series of important women asking them about their makeup routines and what they thought about the show and their personal views on makeup and beauty in general.  It was a very informative piece (not in the factual sense, but in the personal growth sense), that addressed issues like "comfort with our looks" and of course, the all-time favourite, "women have more standards to meet when it comes to their looks."I'm not saying I disagree or agree with anything, but I do feel like having these discussions are important for us as girls to have better images about ourselves.  Sidenote: I feel like this can be important to guys as well, because honestly, if girls hold themselves up to a certain standard when they are going out, guys need to do that as well.  Its impolite and should be a social taboo if we all go out in a group and all the girls are wearing makeup and wearing cute outfits and the only thing you've put on is a worn out tshirt, some semi-acceptable shorts that are crumpled beyond belief, and some form of slippers.  Whether it be flipflops or actual slipper, I don't care.  It's unacceptable.  Buy a pair of loafers or at least invest in a pair of flip-flops that don't look like they belong at a beach.  When I say "belong at a beach", I mean it should be buried under the sand because it looks so dishevelled and the end is detaching from the rest of the shoe.  Why not just be barefoot.  

All this being said, I personally would've preferred it if they all had pimples and came out with faces full of acne and thin lines, but since I'm selfish, I'm forced to admit that this message works just fine regardless of whether or not the women advocating it are gorgeous and have flawless skin and look like God created them for the sake of having them put on magazines.  The point isn't that I want to look like Joan Smalls, the point is that the act of them coming out without beauty products is a great platform for having discussions about our faces and the stuff that we put on our faces.  

I loved the show and what it has done to our acceptance of people (in particular, celebrities) without makeup.  I doubt it will change our obsessions with winged eyeliner and purple eyeshadow and fake lashes and red lipstick and Chanel bronzers, or the fact that we use a million face products a night in the hopes that our skin will forgive us for the damage we've done to it that day, but at least its letting us have these discussions during our sleepovers while we're browsing through magazines filled with more pretty girls in pretty dresses.  Cheers! 

Kayla

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