Howdy, fashion enthusiasts! I’m sure when you came across this title, you got curious, right? feminisation of male model, Haha, I wanted you to be!
This is an important subject that has been a constant conversation in my mind. I’ve shared it with friends and designers alike: Why have male models in recent times become so… unappealing?
Welcome to Fashion Lookbook Weekly
My last article spotlighted the best of the crop of African male models killing it in Paris, Milan, and London. It was a great piece to put together, but while showcasing diversity is a high point, I’m stuck in a dilemma regarding how these models actually look.
If you’re still confused, let me shed some light. Fashion may be gender-fluid, and designs can certainly feel feminine even when made for men. However, why must the men themselves look so lean and, frankly, unappealing?
The 90s “Box TV” Standards
As a 90s baby, I grew up in the era of cover magazines and beauty reports. I was excited to see the pageants and the runway on our local station via our TV box. Aside from the gorgeous ladies, the men were always groomed, “manly” (let’s put that in quotes), and—most importantly—had good builds.
In recent years, this began to change. I thought at first it was just a new “crop” of models, but as I keep seeing casting calls, I’ve discovered it is entirely intentional.
Where Have All the Adams Apples Gone?
We are witnessing male models who are out of form. They don’t look appealing in the clothes, and let’s be honest—no one talks about male models with the same awe they used to. Why is that? Why did we go from “Greek God” builds to a look that is so dainty?
Just to set the tone: this isn’t about sexualising these men. It’s about how, outside of fashion, things have changed for men. We hardly see an Adam’s apple anymore! Is it freedom of expression, or has the feminisation of the male model been allowed to fester simply because it’s “convenient”?
The Death of Aspiration
Sometimes I can’t even tell if I’m looking at a male or female model. Why are the boys so lanky? Modeling used to be about selling an aspiration and a dream. Maybe that dream won’t come true for everyone, but it helped people want to look better.
I don’t know if I’m taking this too far, but why do casting directors go for over-skinny, lanky boys? This appears to be a coordinated plan to push this specific “look” to the forefront. In the 90s, male models were celebrities; people were literally drooling over them. Female celebrities in Hollywood and out had them as lovers and partners. Now, the scene is just… weird.
Final Thoughts
I’m firmly of the school of thought that a male model should look the part. They must ignite a following from the watcher—whether that is through aspiration, desire, or sheer presence. When we look at the feminisation of male models, we have to ask: who is this for? If the goal of the fashion industry is to sell a dream, why has that dream become so fragile and underwhelming?
By prioritising the “lanky, dainty” frame over the healthy, well-built forms of the past, casting directors are creating a disconnect between the runway and the real world. We aren’t just losing muscle mass; we are losing the “Super” in Supermodel. This shift suggests that the modern man is no longer meant to be a figure of strength, but a blank, almost invisible canvas for the clothes.
Is this “new look” an intentional media motive to keep the masculine image underwhelming? Or have we simply traded “Greek God” icons for a convenient, cost-effective standard of “sample-size” boys? Whatever the reason, the decline in male model celebrity status speaks for itself. It’s time to bring back models who command the room, evoke power, and give the audience something to actually strive for.
Thank you!
