There are hundreds of countries all across the world, each with different foods, languages, cultures and lifestyles. Nonetheless, there are a few things that people in many parts of the world do have in common: a desire to look their best and, therefore, a mutual interest in the fashion industry. The fashion industry exists heavily in numerous countries all over the world, making it an ongoing universal obsession; the odd thing is that for such a similar interest, the perception of beauty differs from country to country, region to region, and sometimes, even continent to continent.
In South America and North American Hispanic countries, the typical model can be found having a slim but healthy structure. In terms of hair and face, these nations appreciate the old-fashioned, cookie-cutter beauty of their nations, meaning that the models chosen have large eyes, lush lips, defined eyebrows and often long hair, with a defined feature that gives the models a look of beautiful intimidation.
One word to describe the typical South American and North American Hispanic model’s look: Fierce.

In European countries, the protocol for models is extremely tall, thin and sharp featured with a covering of milky, white skin. Sunk in cheek bones, big, light eyes and long necks are also common, as well as tiny hips and extremely slender arms and legs.
One word to describe the typical European model’s look: Delicate.

Going further west, the type of models selected tends to differ. In African nations, the Middle East and India, the trend appears to be the fairer skinned girls of the population (fairer still meaning dark, as people from these areas are generally darker skinned in comparison to people from other areas in the world). The models are also curvy, full-figured and muscular.
One word to describe the typical African, Middle Eastern and Indian model’s look: Strong.

Meanwhile, in the center of Asia, which includes the oriental models (example: Chinese, Japanese, Korean, etc.), the protocol is very different. These models are often of a smaller, or at the very least, skinnier stature with dark eyes, thin lips and tiny hips. The fashion industry in this area very much plays up the cookie-cutter beauty and bodies that no other area of the world can replicate, as this is what makes them stand out. The models appear delicate, but they do give off an aura of toughness, and interestingly enough, they give off a beauty that often seems unobtainable and unrealistic.
One word to describe the typical oriental model’s look: Doll-like.

The American and Canadian models are the most challenging to put in categories. This is because neither of these countries have people that originated on said land – both countries have highly diverse populations of people from all over the world and even people of mixed backgrounds due to interracial marriages. While America and Canada do have a disadvantage in the fact that they do not have a specific type of model that is entirely original to their countries, they make up for it with the advantage that they have hundreds of different ethnicities and looks to include in their modeling industry. There’s no real protocol, as these models can be any of the following: tall, petite, fair-skinned, dark-skinned, large-eyed, small-eyed, thick-lipped,thin-lipped, broad-hipped, tiny-hipped, etc.
One word to describe the typical American or Canadian model’s look: Different.

There are so many different ways to perceive beauty all over the world. As they say, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. At the end of the day, the fashion industry still rolls strong globally, and is given additional strength by the diversity offered by international models. After all, if everyone looked and dressed just like each other, the fashion industry would never ever be able to move forward.
Ami Sanghvi
Photo Credits: Asian Models Blog// One Source Talent Blog// FMD// Design Scene// Black American Money//Huffington Post
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