Painting by Titian
Over the course of human history, the concept of beauty has transformed, adapting to the times. The human body has always been a source of curiosity and inspiration. Just step inside practically any museum and get a good look at the first nudes in paintings. The women reclining languidly are usually surrounded by food and sumptuous fabrics and would be considered positively overweight by today’s extreme standards. Yet these paintings are beautiful. Who decides what is beautiful? History has thrown some very strange features into the spotlight, making women go wild to attain these ridiculous ideals.
Things haven’t changed all that much in our modern, technology-filled world but we do seem able to celebrate certain “different” aspects. With an ever-growing diversity upon the international catwalks, there is more room for those facial features that bring a strange beauty to otherwise flawless bodies. Let’s take a moment to check out a few of these stellar models.
Lindsey Wixon by Paul Graham
Lindsey Wixon by Tim Walker for Vogue UK
Although Lara Stone and Georgia Jagger have steaming curves, it is their gap teeth that have moved their careers forward. Pushing that maxim to the limit is 16-year-old Lindsey Wixson. The gap in her front teeth seems so wide that a pencil could almost fit through. Coupled with her pronounced Cupids bow lips, Lindsey presents a stunning vision but is not a classic beauty. Wixson is the perfect example of how a feature that would normally be vilified, is set upon a pedestal.
Erin O'Connor for Harpers Bazaar Russia
Erin O'Connor for Harpers Bazaar Russia
From teeth and lips to noses. Who better than Erin O’Connor as the supreme queen of Roman noses in the modelling industry? When growing up, O’Connor hated her nose and was brutally teased. What was then a terrible cause for endless heartache is now her signature feature. Tall and angular, her severe beauty is enough to leave you breathless. That perfect nose, strongly proclaims its presence. Termed “freak chic”, Anjelica Huston once said to Erin: “You’ll will never be pretty but you’ll always be magnificent”.
Arizona Muse by Josh Olins for Vogue UK
Arizona Muse by Peter Lindbergh for Vogue US
And along the lines of large facial features, who can fail to notice model-of-the-moment Arizona Muse’s eyebrows. This girl has given hope to millions around the world who have to deal with unruly eyebrows on a daily basis. Her perfect almond eyes are framed by bushy, luxurious eyebrows. Muse is yet another example of a model that does not conform to classic beauty standards but there she is, gracing the covers of the best magazines, starring in the most elite of season campaigns and filling page after page with her delicious looks.
Kristen McMenamy by Steve Meisel for Vogue Italia
Kristen McMenamy by David Sims for Vogue US
Quirky features are not only reserved for the newer models. Take Kristen McMenamy, who at 47, continues to storm down the runways. McMenamy has managed to turn a premature “situation” into her crowning glory. Her waist-length sheet of perfect silvery hair frames her angular body. She knows how to work her hair to her advantage and is breaking every fashion preconception along the way.
Gisele, Cindy, Claudia and Laetitia, they have been our concept of beautiful women. But there are so many more options available. Cookie-cutter features are a dime-a-dozen, but tangible beauty radiates from within. What do you think about the above models and their quirky features? Do you have beauty preconceptions? Is beauty in the eye of the beholder or can every single person shine in their own unique way?
