British Magazine Essentials Bans Models in Favor of Real Women
The full gatefold cover of Essentials Magazines' October issue. Photo: IPC
Models? We don't need no stinkin' models!
British women's magazine Essentials has decided to replace catwalkers and celebrities with real women in response to reader demand, it has announced.
The decision comes after a recent survey found that more than 70 percent of readers said they would prefer to see real women than professional models.
(Fair enough. We've all had our share of Gisele overload.)
Essentials' October issue -- on sale now -- is kicking things off by featuring 10 actual readers, including a 71-year-old grandmother, on its cover.
According to the magazine, the new cover girls were selected after submitting their photos and bios in June. Essentials is also welcoming readers to apply to pose for future issues (but not so fast -- you have to live in the UK).
"We're looking for amazing women that really reflect the magazine's readership, so women of all shapes, ages, and sizes," style director Lucy Turner says in video about the new campaign.
"It's a real celebration of Essentials women."
Both the cover and editorial pages will feature readers, though advertisements will include professional models.
Essentials is not the first women's magazine to give models the boot. As we reported previously, German magazine Brigitte also recently made the switch from catwalkers to civilians.
What do you think? Would you rather see models, or average women? Leave a comment!
Meanwhile, Lady Gaga is posing as the Statue of Liberty on V's new cover.
Tags: essentials, essentials magazine, magazines, models, real women models
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Lucy, 9-07-2010, 7:52AM
Yeah! Congratulations to Essentials magazine. It's about time to show what real women look like!!!!!!
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