By: Josalin Wang

Forty years ago, the Western image of an ideal man would have been a blond haired, blue-eyed sculpted beauty, with flawless skin and a chiseled form. But today, fashion companies and society’s eyes value a very different picture, celebrating diversity and recognizing the importance of representation. What changed?

Social media may often be seen as a culprit to young people’s battles with self-worth and their image, but it is with the help of this connecting force that we have reinvented beauty standards. Internet platforms give people who may not have a voice otherwise a chance to show themselves to the world.

For instance, plus-sized model and TikTok star Ben James raises awareness on his platform for body positivity and hopes his content can help other men feel accepted and valued. “I’d like to see the industry improved by having different body shapes used in never-before-seen ways. Why can’t we have a ‘dad bod’ in a fragrance campaign, or a lead role in a film? The focus needs to shift from these unnaturally-attained physiques that even the actors themselves can’t sustain,” he says.

These ideas spread and adapt quickly; the new Generation Z praises androgyny and challenges stereotypical male beauty. This is especially evident in K-Pop culture, where idols showcase a softer, more feminine side: wearing wigs, makeup, and dancing. Though these traits may be seen as lacking masculinity, they are admired and have gained monumental followings of women and men alike.

The fashion world, a historically white, male-dominated industry, has been rocked by the changing tides. Alexander Edmonds, a professor of anthropology, commented on the deeper, darker side of these roots: “Due to the legacy of slavery and colonialism [Western] images of the beautiful man have always been very white, and in the past, there were fewer barriers for this to change but this may be happening now.”

Recent outbursts of support for racial equality, such as movements like Black Lives Matter, raised awareness for the need for diversity and black representation in the media. Consequently, more efforts are being made to include black, and other, ethnicities into magazines and movies. “People want to see people who look like themselves represented,” says male model Orlando Hobechi.

Source: https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20210707-what-does-the-perfect-man-look-like-now