Which of Today's Models Have the Most Lasting Power?

[iluvjeisa]

Gemma does have symmetry, actually. She represents an ideal that has not been in Vogue since around 1980 - the doll face. Before 1980-5 her facial type, and many others, were considered beautiful, as well as what we consider more "classic" beauty. Just have a look at the TV shows, films and fashion photography before the 80s, there were plenty of round, soft faced women who were beauty icons. I love diversity - classic, androgynous, flamboyant and softly romantic and, clearly, Gemma is a beautiful example of the last type, while Paulina et al are an example of classic beauty. And frankly, the idea of beautiful Asian women destroying their faces to look like Gisele makes me sick.

What Gemma lack is sex appeal, bone structure, symmetry. 3 things Kate Moss has when she was her age -- universal appeal, versatility etc.

Gemma is cutesy, a trend look, girlish.

And if you're talking about Gemma is vaguely asian looking well, in the Asian world they tend to lean more to the western/caucasian look which has been the rage for few years now that even asian women , mainly Japanese get plastic surgery on their eyelids and nose to create the caucasian features. So Gemma isn't an appeal to them. They look for women with high cheekbones, prominent jawlines, straight nose, almond shaped eyes.. the perfect symmetry.

 

[nouveau]

it shouldn't be a question whether or not karen elson has staying power...she's been around since 97? she's done everything, versace, chanel, dior, valentino, ysl, vuitton, prada ...she has been/is the favourite of countless designers, not to mention her countless Italian Vogue covers...

and Stam isn't exactly new either...she's been around since s/s 2003 and she's been hot for like six seasons and she was still pretty hot for s/s 2006 show season...that's pretty impressive in comparison to how quickly a lot of new girls burn up.

i think being versatile helps but when it comes to making it big and staying on top really has a lot to do with luck and personality--getting in the good books of right people...all the big girls who've stayed on top throughout the years, carmen kass, angela lindvall, karen elson, erin o'conner... aren't exactly the most beautiful or the most versatile, but they all have a personality of some sort and they all seem to be well liked within the industry...which is why i think gemma is going to around for a long time...i mean have any of you guys seen the girl speak? ...she's got some charisma!

 

[smartarse]

Gemma is not symmetrical. Her face is not proportional. Sure she represents the doll face but that's a trend that won't be around for a long time if ever...

And the rage over in Japan, Korea , China is absord, agreed.

Gemma does have symmetry, actually. She represents an ideal that has not been in Vogue since around 1980 - the doll face. Before 1980-5 her facial type, and many others, were considered beautiful, as well as what we consider more "classic" beauty. Just have a look at the TV shows, films and fashion photography before the 80s, there were plenty of round, soft faced women who were beauty icons. I love diversity - classic, androgynous, flamboyant and softly romantic and, clearly, Gemma is a beautiful example of the last type, while Paulina et al are an example of classic beauty. And frankly, the idea of beautiful Asian women destroying their faces to look like Gisele makes me sick.

 

[smartarse]

amanda moore underrated

well for one we know why.. which i think it's absurd! Just take some mag editors and boot them back to their motherland and strip her off her crown and back to pauperdome than I think the Amandas of the modeling world would be rated fair and square B)

I but... she's underrated. why?!?! I have a possible answer...

 

[iluvjeisa]

Gemma is not symmetrical. Her face is not proportional. Sure she represents the doll face but that's a trend that won't be around for a long time if ever...

And the rage over in Japan, Korea , China is absord, agreed.

this is funny....Check out the history of beauty - you will find many doll faced, romantic and innocent looking, women such as Clara Bow, Lillian Gish, Louise Brooks, Cleo DeMerode, Mary Miles Minter....

 

[liv4beauty]

I just don't think that the doll face is relevant nowadays in the "real" world just like super curvacious women like Jane Russell or Marilyn Monroe are considered overweight by society now. Like I said before it's a trend and trends pass. The average woman in Gary, Indiana would not identify with Gemma and we know that the fashion world is always looking for the "next big thing". Once that happens the clones come out of the woodworks leaving all the Gemmas behind.

 

[marqueemoon]

this is funny....Check out the history of beauty - you will find many doll faced, romantic and innocent looking, women such as Clara Bow, Lillian Gish, Louise Brooks, Cleo DeMerode, Mary Miles Minter....

Clara Bow and Louise Brooks are not "classic" beauties. They represent a short-lived trend in the 20s. They would never be considered attractive today. My idea of classic beauty is the look that became popular in the late 30s and 40s -- Hedy Lamarr, Greta Garbo, Gene Tierney, Elizabeth Taylor. That look has endured even to this day because it is the most universally appealing look: big eyes, high cheekbones, thin delicate noses, full lips, almond shaped, well-lidded eyes -- the general theme being faces with a lot of definition and detph. Gemma is the opposite of that look with her shallow, definitionless, flat, embryonic face.

 

[iluvjeisa]

Hedy Lamarr, Greta Garbo, Gene Tierney, Elizabeth Taylor. That look has endured even to this day because it is the most universally appealing look: big eyes, high cheekbones, thin delicate noses, full lips, almond shaped, well-lidded eyes -- the general theme being faces with a lot of definition and detph. Gemma is the opposite of that look with her shallow, definitionless, flat, embryonic face.

And all this applies to Jessica Stam? - eh, ok....well I'll buy well-lidded.The most classic right now? Hana and Valentina come to mind.

And Lilian Gish - the 20 year lasting flash in the pan...

 

[smartarse]

^ a model has to have that "something" that spark, that glow about her. you can be the most beautiful but you dont generate that umpf, you won't last.

 

[millsont]

Gemma's face isn't universal, that's the point. So for that it is just a trend that will be replaced soon enough. You gotta have a face that's versatile to have a lasting power to stay in this business if you're referring to high fashion status.

So who you think has a universal face

 

[marqueemoon]

And all this applies to Jessica Stam? - eh, ok....well I'll buy well-lidded.The most classic right now? Hana and Valentina come to mind.

And Lilian Gish - the 20 year lasting flash in the pan...

No, it doesn't apply to Stam at all. But Stam's edge and appealing uniqueness make up for her lack of classic beauty. Gemma's features are weird, but not in an interesting or appealing way, imo. That's the problem. To make a good model you've either got to be extremely beautiful or really interesting -- or if you're lucky a little of both! Gemma doesn't have any of those qualities.

I agree with Valentina. She's the most classically beautiful model at the moment. I would have agreed with Hana a few months ago, but after taking a closer look at her face her features are too pinched, underdeveloped and mousey. She looks classically beautiful in editorials but not in candids.

 

[marqueemoon]

So who you think has a universal face

Nobody has a completely universal face, but Hedy Lamarr comes pretty damn close:

Very different from the current model look, eh? She's the opposite of Gemma with her developed, womanly, sophisticated features.

Here's an article about her:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2000/01/20/DD43349.DTL

As for models,

Valentina

Brooke Shields (when she was very young)

Jennifer O'Neill

 

[werth]

How about... Natalie portman even though shes not a model but she has that thing that evryone finds her appealing

 

[cestmagique]

I kinda feel bad for Hedy-- that article was all about her being the most *beautiful* woman in cinema. Call me crazy, I'd like to be remembered for more than being someone's favorite to look at.... hmm.

 

[marqueemoon]

How about... Natalie portman even though shes not a model but she has that thing that evryone finds her appealing

I think she's too little girlish. Very pretty, but something's missing.

 

[marqueemoon]

I kinda feel bad for Hedy-- that article was all about her being the most *beautiful* woman in cinema. Call me crazy, I'd like to be remembered for more than being someone's favorite to look at.... hmm.

Especially because looks fade halfway through life. It's like if a painter or musician suddenly lost all of his talent at the age of 40 and became obsolete.

 

[Max Capote]

Daria, Caroline Trentini, Julia and maybe Natasha Poly.

 

[Hana_N]

I think Daria, because she is a face you don't necessarily need to agree on to see her beauty.

I would love to see Gemma Ward last and I think she probably will, because in my opinion she can be quite versatile.

I'm not sure if Stam will last, because she hasn't been that prominent this last season, I might be wrong. I also think I read something about her wanting to be an actress.

 

[sosneha]

i believe still kate moss have lasting power

 

[marqueemoon]

I think Daria, because she is a face you don't necessarily need to agree on to see her beauty.

I would love to see Gemma Ward last and I think she probably will, because in my opinion she can be quite versatile.

I'm not sure if Stam will last, because she hasn't been that prominent this last season, I might be wrong. I also think I read something about her wanting to be an actress.

Stam did very well this season. I hope she moves into acting, though, cause I'd love to see her face on film.