Moving on from size zero, the big look right now is the "sacrificial virgin." In other words, the gangly and underdeveloped girl who is hoped to be the latest new face.
"You want to make your stamp with someone fresh, not with a model who has done a million other jobs," says a stylist who prefers to remain anonymous.
However, it seems that designers simply want to capitalise on the innocence of such models.
"The thinking goes that women want to buy into the fantasy of being impossibly young and impossibly skinny," says a casting director, who also asked not to be named.
Some are keen to pin the blame on fashion’s gay camp.
"The fashion industry is 70 per cent gay men, and their opinion far outweighs the 30 per cent of women and straight men," says another international stylist. "Projecting that little-boy fantasy is one that gay designers go back to more and more."
Others are tiring of an industry that seems to represent the needs of the end consumer less and less, "It’s children trying to work women’s clothes. It just doesn’t match the brands - you need a bit of a hip for the clothes to hang properly. The fantasy is wearing a bit thin."
The New Size 0
Virgin Models
Trend Themes
1. Size Zero Rejection - Developing a shift in mentality away from the size zero standard, opening up opportunities for a more diverse range of body types to be represented in the fashion industry.
2. Fresh Face Focus - The demand for new and unknown models provides an opportunity for aspiring models looking to make their mark in the industry.
3. Youthful Fantasy - The fashion industry capitalizes on the allure of youth and thinness, presenting an opportunity for brands to explore marketing strategies that appeal to this ideal.
Industry Implications
1. Fashion - The fashion industry needs to confront its preoccupation with the size zero standard and embrace a more inclusive approach to body diversity.
2. Modeling - The modeling industry can provide opportunities for aspiring models who offer a fresh and unique look, moving away from the traditional standards.
3. Marketing - Brands can work on innovative marketing strategies that tap into the fantasy of youth and thinness, while also promoting body positivity and diversity.