Models Are Raising Their Voices, and Their Profiles, Online

It is outrageous to deny these women an opinion based on their profession. You can agree or disagree on what they put out there. A major part of their job is maintaining their profile on social media. They have become very astute in using Instagram for example. Estes Lauder and Maybelline have recently rewarded Kendall Jenner and Gigi Hadid in part because of their following. Roughly 40 million followers each. They have monetized the numbers to gain prized contracts. Welcome all to the 21st century!

Refashioning a 19th century slogan about children:

"Fashion models should be seen and not heard."

“Our customers expect social commentary,” Paula Schneider, the new chief executive of American Apparel..."

Here's some social commentary on American Apparel: stop using advertising that looks like child pornography. Do your customers care about that, or only about lions being killed?

It's both amazing and sad that most of the commentary on this article have little to do with the causes the models are reported to espouse. Rather, energies are expended decrying fashion and the modeling profession as trivial, semi-literate, vainglorious. What those who are quick to dredge up the cliche -- unfounded in many cases -- that models are vapid and uneducated should realize there is nothing wrong with using fame or notoriety to draw attention to a cause.No model has to have invented the wheel or discovered electricity or disproved Einstein's Theory of Relativity to have a point of view or to espouse a cause that she (or he) may hold dear. With a pretty face comes the prejudice that one cannot have social awareness, eloquence, and physical beauty. As for the fallacy that models barely finish high school, the fact is modeling is a business for young girls (14 to 21). Those who truly make it big usually start while very young, knowing that the career will be short-lived (if it takes off at all). Just because a select few models can earn hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars before age 30, doesn't make them second class citizens; it makes them darned lucky!

It's obvious that the models' actions are almost all pure PR but, to be fair, how many of the general public have actually "thought through the complexities of the issues" (as one commenter here has said)? I'd hazard a guess that the models are no less ignorant than the vast, vast majority of the people who comprise the internet mobs that get so excited about these causes for all of 3-5 days at a time. Further, at least the models are probably more honest with themselves about their motives (monetary), while the general mob posts its rubbish "Je suis Cecil"/"Je suis Charlie" on FB or Twitter claiming to truly care but, for the most part, really only seeking a fleeting feeling of moral superiority and the approving glances of their facebook friends.

I remember when Christy Turlington-Burns was all about yoga and the lifestyle that goes with that. Then a few years later, once maternal health became her thing (good for her!) she said in a Vogue interview that she no longer did much yoga and called vegans "pale veal". Even though I am not vegan myself, I found that comment quite disrespectful and thoughtless. I thought wow, how uncool is this person. Having said that, I, and I assume most people, normally don't give much thought to what models say or do. They are young, not very educated and are doing what most people their age do: following the herd that they are a part of and doing what said herd does. If it means promoting good causes and social awareness, love, compassion and so on then great but please don't call this activism. It is anything but.

You're kidding, yes? From an industry absolutely dominated by trivialities and a healthy dose of sleaze, we are supposed to take seriously the voices of "spokes-models?" They've found a conscience? They're concerned? About anything? What a fraud! Totally contrived.

PS - the outrage! That's right, only ugly fat people can have a voice, let a lone a social conscience. "They wear fur!" Is your job 100% socially accountable and worthwhile and holy? Again - put a beautiful face on any article and the haters come out in full force. Disgraceful resentment and jealousy.

Dear commentors: Overseriousness is an vice, not a virtue.

“Our customers expect social commentary.”

Ladies and gentlemen, there goes the authenticity of this 'model movement'!

Fashion against ebola? Black lives matter? No really?

Poor Cecil the lion. Meanwhile millions of other animals and fish are killed on a daily basis with nary a word from these same 'role models'.

What a fickle, sheep-like, ultra-PC society we have become due to social media.

Beautiful. From the core of commercialism rise expressions of social conscience. Bring it on! Go girls!

Better than not that these models should express their views on social problems-- every little bit helps. But I would prefer to see more press on the people who are doing the hard work of developing and implementing the policies and programs that drive positive change.

wow. dead animal skin draped on your body.
make-up and beauty products torturing ( really) rabbits,rats, and other critters before slathered on your face.
third world sweat shops keeping up with the "industry".
pretty bodies in glass houses shouldn't be throwing stones.

Models are all about illusion. I could hardly find the time to pay attention to what models think and express about current events and concerns. They are coached in every way of their short lived careers, which means they are very likely coached in how they interact with the media. Champion the trendy issue of the day, and you're seen as someone noble. So you do it, never mind the real intention. What's to care or trust about this? Move on.

No doubt they will courageously air their voices only in support of liberal/progressive ideals that already enjoy a great deal of support among the rest of the commentariat, making the risk of speaking basically nil.

But let just one speak out against the welfare state, or abortion on demand, or the sale fetal body parts, or the current wave toxic anti-male feminism and she will be shamed, shunned, harassed and bullied.

Brace yourself!!! This article will enrage the haters or fashion and beauty. My favorite new expression: You do You. In other words - to each his own. No one should be voice-less just because their very existence and beauty enrages some. Peace out~

So Ms Yang says that they would likely steer these models away from topics that are "sensitive". I am happy that they are upset about Cecil. They should be more upset about the wearing of fur, which custom they could actually influence. I have no respect for people who wear fur. (and no, I don't wear leather)

While people often consider models to be brainless, they are now proving themselves to be contributing members of society. Now they have a public forum in the form of social media to share for their beliefs. Because they are aware that everyday people idolize them for their flawless beauty and effortless grace, supermodels take advantage of their influence in the media, and they can really make a difference. Cara Delevigne most of all has influence over teenagers and young adults. She has millions of people viewing her content on social media everyday, and in contrast to popular belief, she does have opinions, and she does want to improve the world she lives in. Therefore, she uses her mass following to inspire and empower her fans. I also contribute supermodels’ success in raising awareness to their widespread following, people of all ages, genders, and races. Most fans also acknowledge that their idols are not brainless mannequins and that they are human beings as well, points out Rob Gregory. He explains that through social media, fans have the opportunity to learn more about celebrities, and, “They expect them to have a point of view on important issues.” Fans rely more than ever on celebrities’ opinions, mainly because they are popular opinions from seemingly perfect people. As long as supermodels and other celebrities are spreading love, they should continue to use social media as a way to raise awareness and to share their thoughts.

The US is an anti-intellectual society. I have hard time believing most European countries would elect an actor their president (Reagan) if they had such option. Intellectualism is celebrated in France and I miss it dearly. Respectful debates on TV of educated (!!!) experts are the norm whereas here it is all about the show, the blood, the action. Simplicity in its simple phrases. Simplified society.

Good for them. Sort of.
But modeling, like pro sports, is a childish career.
Thoreau:
"The childish and savage taste of men and women for new patterns keeps how many shaking and squinting through kaleidoscopes that they may discover the particular figure which this generation requires to-day. The manufacturers have learned that this taste is merely whimsical. Of two patterns which differ only by a few threads more or less of a particular color, the one will be sold readily, the other lie on the shelf, though it frequently happens that after the lapse of a season the latter becomes the most fashionable. Comparatively, tattooing is not the hideous custom which it is called. It is not barbarous merely because the printing is skin-deep and unalterable...The head monkey at Paris puts on a traveller’s cap, and all the monkeys in America do the same."

I figured most of the comments on this story would be cynical or critical. With millions of devoted followers, how can it possibly hurt that Cara Delevigne promotes Black Lives Matter, a message that needs as much visibility as possible these days, and could use more buy-in and support, in general, from people who aren't black? The same criticism (they haven't put in the work, this is just PR) could be said against Lady Gaga, Madonna, and many other entertainers who have put in their fair share of words of for LGBT equality and other causes. I do hope, however, that these models can find some way of promoting diversity of all kinds, including body diversity, racial diversity and age diversity within their own industry.

This kind of thing always reminds me of the scene in Sleeper where Woody Allen's character has been woken up from a deep freeze and in one attempt to revive him imagines he is a beauty pageant contestant and talks about using his title as miss whatever to bring peace to all the peoples of the world be they black, be they white be they whatever.

C'mon. Models' agents use whatever media and causes du jour is at hand to increase the public profile...and hourly rates...of their "properties". Fashion modeling is hardly an occupation that qualifies you for public leadership.

So perfect for today's times, and today's Times..."I'm here to save the world! Is my lighting good? btw you're welcome!"

As in all things,I consider the source.

Models and Hollywood types like Ms.Cara Delevingne who has been photographed numerous times high on drugs, falling down intoxicated in public and at party's are hardly someone millennials look to for social change.
They love the celebrity and may live vicariously through them for their work but please don't insult millennials intelligence.

Is taking to Instagram really what we are considering activism these days? Oh how pathetic. But these are models, right? I mean, clearly they have thought through the complexities of the issues before have their publicist issue a tweet.

@otherminds

It's not like they are talking about Kant. It's good to be politically aware, but any moron can champion a political cause. Don't confuse political commitment with intelligence.

While it's all well and good that models are showing that they "have a voice", let's not forget that Cara Delevingne, the woman who called Walter Palmer a "poor excuse for a human being", once wore rabbit fur to an World Widelife Fund gala. Behati Prinsloo also wears fur al the time.

Of course, celebrities being suddenly devoted to popular causes that no one is going to call them out for isn't new.

Socially aware super-models from the millennial squad, use twitter and instagram to tweet opinions and shaming of lion killer.

Whoa! Forget the civil rights figures of the 60's, this is revolution, no doubt about it.
Twitter, huh?
Instagram?

Good grief. Now we're extolling the social activism of. models?

Let's be realistic. These models are using most of these good causes for PR purposes - it makes them look good. For the most part they are not doing the actual spade work.

How about writing an article on the people who are doing the actual day to day difficult work on the front lines- rather than focusing on people who get paid millions to walk down catwalks and then spend a couple of hours doing a photo- op.

Why not? If they can use their celebrity status to raise interest or money for a cause or charity more power to them. Younger people idolize models/actors/sports figures. Any efforts used to attract their attention or awareness towards an issue is worthwhile. BTW not all models are shallow, stupid or lack empathy.

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/05/fashion/fur-is-back-in-fashion-and-deb...

Hmmm, these lovely ladies don't mind walking down a catwalk with pelts on their backs and on occasion wearing fur.

However I applaud anything that brings attention to this deplorable practice.

I would not attach extra importance to a model's or other celebrity's utterances. They are employed and affluent because of their looks and talents, not because of their humanitarian efforts, intellect, or ideas.

This is just as stupid (if not stupider) than taking political talking points from actors and actresses....these are uneducated people. Few models have even graduated high school, let alone college! They are often pontificating on sympathetic issues without knowing the least thing about the real issues.

Just more dumbing down of the general public.

Ms. La Ferla seems to be suggesting that models are pretending to have opinions, either because it's suddenly ok with their agencies to have opinions, or because it's a way to "burnish their image." But isn't this a business issue for any celebrity? "Voice an opinion today, risk an endorsement tomorrow?" I hope all of these young women have opinions -- strong ones -- about a lot of issues. And unlike perhaps Ms. La Ferla, I hope they find many ways - through social media and beyond - to raise their voices AND succeed in business.

Better to be a pretty face and demure than to be a pretty face and jejune.

When I saw this article's title on the front page ("Models Are Raising Their Voices, and Their Profiles, Online"), I clicked on the link, chuckling to myself, "How? By posting pictures and typing 'ur rlly mean 4 killing helpless lions!!' on a Twitter feed?" I didn't actually think the New York Times would, for a second time, publish such a silly article. Lo, and behold! The first thing I saw when the page loaded was a screenshot of Cecil the lion and this sentence: "I can't even put into words how this is making me feel."

Indeed.

The trick, Ms. Prinsloo, is to reflect on your feelings by running them through the process of thinking. And if that fails? Well, thank goodness for emoticons and hashtags. Why struggle with the task of enriching your prose and intellect when you can insert a sad yellow face followed by a series of superficial and vapid hashtag topics. #ifeelsad #killinglionsisbad #ugh

In his dissent in the Obergefell case, Justice Scalia lamented that the Court had lowered itself to churning out "the mystical aphorisms of a fortune cookie." While this is true, the Court's degradation has not occurred in isolation. Those of us who mill about in ordinary society have watched with dread as plebeian discourse has lowered itself from fortune cookie aphorisms to the 21st century equivalent of caveman grunts and scribbles.

Time for this generation to "grace yourself with wisdom", take on women and children's rights to healthcare, education and equal pay.

Fair enough. But let's be straight. Behati Prinsloo is of Afrikaner issue, not Namibian, who was born in a relatively affluent enclave of what was then SWA before independence, occupied by SA's Nationalist Apartheid Party. I'm not suggesting she shares Apartheid ideology, but she's really not a Namibian, re: the country was created after she was born.

Haven't 'super' models been active in causes like PETA since forever?