Supermodels With Style And Grace

Yesterday's closing ceremony extinguished our beloved Olympic torch and everyone seems a little lost today.  Or, are we?  Since the athletes hit town, I have noticed an underlying current winding it's way through twitterland.  Don't worry, it's a positive one.  I can pinpoint the moment it happened.  Last saturday night, Jess Ennis, bringing home the gold in the heptathlon event.  Suddenly, noses twitched, sleepy eyes were rubbed and people sat up.  Cue light bulb moment.  We have an alternative to the celebrity culture built on botox and silicone chicken filets, who knew?  And, after reading a recent article in the guardian, which posed the question, what should the legacy from these games be?  I found myself pondering the question further.  Who exactly are our positive role models today?  And, not just for young girls but for women of all ages?

Ask any teenager whose style they'd like to, 'emulate'?  The response is likely, a roll of the eyes, 'whatever', perhaps an irate, '1D' hurled over shoulder in your general direction.  That's 'One Direction' to anyone over twenty years old.  Okay, and, if not 1D, then, I dunno, Miley Cyrus, Megan Fox...um, um, Kirsten Stewart?  Actually scratch the latter.   Of course, if they're uber-hipsters, you won't get a response at all.  Hold up a picture of Kofi Annan or Mother Teresa, you'll probably draw a blank stare.  Hilary Clinton, Steve Jobs?  Maybe there's a glimmer of recognition, maybe... 

Take a stroll into any news agency, you'll find wall-to-wall fashion magazines.  Beautiful faces, perfectly photo-shopped, bee-stung lips, slims hips.  Some surgically enhanced, others... well you can't really tell.  Switch on your TV in the evening and it's non-stop reality shows at your fingertips.  Oh, I could lament the state of reality TV and it's wishy-washy celebrity with dead-pan eyes.  However, I'll spare you the pain.  It's so not worth it.  Jungles, sing-a-longs, real-life, dirty laundry, trash-heaved upon-trash- all terribly sad.  And tragically, this is where young people form their ideals of what to strive for.  Material wants, false looks, yes, false idols.  I know, I know, it's entertainment too and I'm not denying that it's not compelling viewing at times.  Morbid curiosity isn't a figment of our imagination, but the side effects are damaging to certain vulnerable minds.  Give us something of substance to bite down on, not the paper-thin celebrity, puh-lease!

Every Olympic games begets a new wave of talented superstars, this summer, I spotted a few young ladies providing inspiration for next generation, - Jess Ennis, Jade Jones, Liz Cambage, Nicola Adams, the list is long!  I don't know about you but I'm excited that there are true super models in our midst, not all hip and cheek bones either!  They're fit, healthy, motivated, and above all they are human too.  So, I say, more positive supermodels, less of the silicone types.  And, maybe we should take this whole 'gender thing' out of the equation.  Yesterday, I was lucky enough to watch Australian Super Fish, Ian Thorpe give free swimming tips to anyone who turned up at a local pool in London.  That for me, is the perfect example of providing a legacy and actions like those, are, what really inspire a generation. 

Tell, now, in any aspect of your life, -who is your ideal supermodel?


A/N: I'd like to apologise to my blog for mentioning Miley Cyrus and 1D in this post,  don't worry, -it won't happen again. Ever.  Yours,  T xox

Comments

A said…
Who is 1D?
(I am old and unhip, obviously)
Talei said…
Haha! I don't think you'll need to know then... ;-)
Bish Denham said…
I'm lucky to have grown up without TV and movies and so didn't have much in the way of outside influences. My heroes were all around me, and were ordinary real people. They began with my parents and spread outward, like rings in a lake after a stone has been tossed into it. They were all older.

It saddens me that so many youths are enamored with a facade that will in time fade and wrinkle. They may well have a very difficult time as they begin to age.
Michael Di Gesu said…
Hi, Talei,

I LOVED this post! I can so relate. Spending almost half my life in front of a camera, I saw how these images truly effected young impressionable minds. It's all false illusion.

I would love it for just once for a model to be photographed BEFORE the hair and makeup. Scary... Most teens never see this. I only wish I looked as good in person as I did in pics... LOL.

I cringed the other night when I saw a major cosmetic company featuring about a thirteen-year-old girl made up to look like 25. My trained eye can spot this a mile away. She was a baby, didn't even have her curves yet. Beautiful, yes, but a child.

This is so wrong. Now other kids are going to see this and ... fill in the blanks.

Thank God for the olympics and their positive role models. Youth NEEDS them. We all do.

And let's not even get me started on reality shows ....

Always wonderful to visit your blog. Raises a glass of champagne. Here's to you sweets....
Danette said…
My role model right now is my friend Jan who is dealing with breast cancer- and handling it with grace. She just shaved her head and while I think I would be in bed crying, she had some pudding and celebrated a new look.

But my other role model is Naomi Klein (I'll let you find out who she is- but she's awesome and I wish I had her life-- and looks). Fortunately my oldest daughter seems to want more than the superficial which makes me proud-- 25 and she is headed off to medical school. She wanted to be with doctors without borders for a while. So the young are not ALL lost, enamored with glam and fame- just too many.

btw: did you see '2012' the BBC show? We have it here right now and it's too funny! Cheers, doll! xox
Meredith said…
I hope people, especially young girls, start looking up to Olympic athletes and people who are making a difference more. Living a life of substance is so much more inspirational than living a life of fluffy celebrity.
Talei said…
Hi Bish, nice analogy. Parents and family are definitely the first role models we have, aren't they? If only everyone had such positive ones too.
Talei said…
Hi Michael,

A great insight from the other side of the camera. My friends who modelled were of the same mindset, it's a product they were selling, they didn't entirely agree with the brands, but, it was work and fun at the time, you get to travel too. All very glamourous at a young age but eventually you grow up and realise, it's all a mirage.

I agree, I don't like seeing young teens used that way, its appallingly. At that age, I used to hate being stared at, I used to hide my face behind my hair all the time and stick my head in a book. There's some hope though, - recently, two teenage girls campaigned against Teen Vogue for using unhealthy looking models in their issues. I remember their petition doing the rounds on twitter.

And, am sure some kids have found new role models from these games. The only thing that worries me about our young athletes is having all this pressure thrust upon them, and that might have a downside. Hopefully they have strong mentors to help them out too.

*raises glass of champagne to you!*

Always a pleasure to have you visit my blog too! Thanks my friend! xo












Talei said…
Oh, D.

I'm in awe of your friend too. Really, I hope she's remains positive and gets through this. I think, you've got to try and stay strong when faced with an incredibly heart-wrenching situation, otherwise it beats you from the start. ( Easier said than done). I've a friend who's sister has breast cancer too and it's now terminal, and she'll leave behind a young son. I don't know how I'd deal with that, I hope I'd be strong too.

Naomi Klein, I shall look up!! Great to hear your daughter is heading into the medical field. Doctors without borders is such a fantastic organisation. I follow them on facebook, wholly support their work.

Haven't seen 2012 yet! Will check it out my dear! xo







Talei said…
Thanks Meredith, absolutely - less fluff, more gruff - well, substance!! xo

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