# Ugly Love From beauty pageants to canine contests, almost anything ugly attracts attention. By [Bianca](https://www.trendhunter.com/bianca), Brand & Innovation Strategist | Published Nov 12, 2007, updated Aug 9, 2010 | Category: [Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/style-and-fashion-trends) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/ugly-love-from-beauty-pageants-to-canine-contests-almost-anything-ugly-attr ## Key Figures - Trend score: 5.2/10 - Evidence articles: 12 ## What is the Ugly Love trend? **Ugly Love:** Ordinary, or even ugly, is being considered attractive. This growing trend may be driven by a combination of curiosity and the human need to relate, as the majority of the population doesn’t fall under the typical beauty umbrella personified in mainstream media today. Our culture is learning to embrace all physical attributes as beautiful; it is a celebration of uniqueness rather than adaptation of industry standards. In order to gain favor with the masses, companies are looking for representative icons that make people feel good about themselves rather than inferior, particularly with the physical traits generally association with beauty. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 12 featured examples - Articles from: Mar 6, 2007 to Jun 22, 2009 - Published: Nov 12, 2007 - Patterns: [Divergence](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/divergence), [Acceleration](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/acceleration) - Megatrends: [Authenticity](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/authenticity) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Themes within the Ugly Love trend ### Embracing Uniqueness The trend towards embracing all physical attributes as beautiful rather than adapting to industry standards creates an opportunity to cater to a more diverse audience outside of traditional beauty standards. ### Reality Check for Society The trend of debunking the myth of perfect beauty by showcasing unconventional images through celebrity culture jamming or intentionally ugly products aims to create a healthy alternative reality for society. ### Challenging Industry Standards The trend of intentionally creating ugly products or celebrating unconventional beauty standards in modeling, art, and packaging design challenges industry standards and offers opportunities for innovation in marketing and design. ## What the Ugly Love trend means for industry ### For Fashion and Beauty The fashion and beauty industry can benefit from embracing uniqueness and catering to a diverse audience outside of traditional beauty standards by creating inclusive marketing campaigns and products. ### For Art and Design The art and design industry can challenge conventional standards by celebrating the unconventional and creating intentionally ugly products that break away from aesthetic norms. ### For Marketing and Advertising Marketing and advertising professionals can embrace unconventional beauty standards and leverage reality checks for society to create innovative and effective campaigns that resonate with a diverse audience. ## Trend signals for Ugly Love Trend score 5.2 out of 10, from popularity 61%, activity 86%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 61% - Activity: 86% - Freshness: 8% ## Examples of the Ugly Love trend 12 featured examples from Mar 6, 2007 to Jun 22, 2009. - [Durex Puts Ugly on Your Pillow](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/durex-gives-away-less-than-erotic-pillowcases-to-promote-condoms): "Last Longer" Campaign (Category: Unique) Implication: The success of Durex's controversial marketing campaign highlights the need for innovation in the contraceptive industry. - [Making Celebrities Ugly](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/making-celebrities-ugly-planet-hiltron): Planet Hiltron (Category: Pop Culture) Implication: Disruptive innovation opportunity: Transform the media and advertising industry by promoting authenticity, diversity, and body positivity through unedited imagery. - [Cruel Ugliness Cures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cruel-ugliness-cures-the-genuine-ugly-bag): The Genuine Ugly Bag (Category: Fashion) Implication: The Ugly Bag trend opens up opportunities for fashion brands to create unique and unconventional accessories that celebrate individuality. - [Unlikely Supermodels (UPDATE)](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/unlikely-supermodels-ugly-agency-specializes-in-odd-characters): Ugly Agency Specializes in Odd Characters (Category: Marketing) Implication: Disruptive innovation opportunity to transform the modeling industry by promoting diversity and inclusivity in model representation. - [Ugly Pageants](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-award-for-the-ugliest-icelandic-native-goes-to): The Award for the Ugliest Icelandic Native Goes to... (Category: Unique) Implication: Opportunities for makeup, clothing, and accessory brands to cater to unconventional beauty standards - [Ugly Pizza](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ugly-pizza): Difficult Branding? (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Opportunity for food packaging companies to create designs that accurately represent the product inside and appeal to the trend of authenticity. - [Ugly Necklace Competitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ugly-necklace-competition): 8th Annual Contest Honouring Hideous Jewelry (Category: Art & Design) Implication: Disruptive innovation opportunity: Exploring unconventional materials, aesthetics, and techniques in jewelry design to challenge traditional norms and create unique pieces. - [Showcasing Ugly Art](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/showcasing-bad-art-mumoks-bad-painting-good-art-exhibit): MUMOK's Bad Painting-Good Art Exhibition (Category: Art & Design) Implication: Museums and galleries can create new exhibits of 'bad' art, attracting visitors who are interested in exploring new artistic styles. - [Ugly Sweater Love](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/holiday-sweater-song): The Holiday Sweater Song (Category: Fashion) Implication: Disruptive innovation opportunity: Introduce sustainable materials and manufacturing processes in the production of ugly Christmas sweaters. - [Ugly is the New Hot](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ugly-is-the-new-black): Modern Studies on Ugliness (Category: Pop Culture) Implication: The beauty industry can benefit from the trend of redefining beauty standards and expanding their range of inclusive products. - [Ugly Food Glasses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/making-food-ugly-blue-shade-glasses): Blue Shade Glasses Help You Lose Weight? (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Manufacturers of health and wellness products can incorporate color psychology in their products to enhance their effectiveness - [Intentionally Ugly Power Strips](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/giant-gumby-power-strip-standby-surge-protector): Standby Surge Protector (Category: Eco) Implication: Companies in the home electronics industry can capitalize on the trend of eco-consciousness by creating products that promote energy efficiency. ## Recent trend clusters - [Crown Care](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/scalp-care-routine) (Fashion) - [Scaled Restraint](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/small-luxury-watches) (Fashion) - [Sneaker Theater](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/sneaker-theater) (Fashion) - [Ritual Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/ritual-systems) (Fashion) ## Trending in Fashion - [Lifestyle Subscription Advent Calendars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fab-fit-fun-advent-calendar) - [Paisley-Shelled Collector Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/paisley-shelled-collector-sneakers) - [Modular Winter Wardrobes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/moose-knuckles-fallwinter-2026) - [Fruit-Inspired Digital Watches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/themed-wristwatches) All articles: [Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/fashion)