{"id":140731,"date":"2021-11-18T11:00:20","date_gmt":"2021-11-18T16:00:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/models.com\/oftheminute\/?p=140731"},"modified":"2021-11-18T11:37:07","modified_gmt":"2021-11-18T16:37:07","slug":"sexy-isnt-dead-its-evolved-an-update-on-models-coms-rankings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/models.com\/oftheminute\/sexy-isnt-dead-its-evolved-an-update-on-models-coms-rankings\/","title":{"rendered":"\u201cSexy isn\u2019t Dead, it\u2019s Evolved,\u201d An Update On Models.com&#8217;s Top Sexiest Rankings"},"content":{"rendered":"<style>\n.centerimg {padding:4em 7em;margin:20px 0;}\n.centerimg2 {padding:4em 4em;margin:20px 0;}\n.centerimg3 {padding:4em 3em;margin:20px 0;}\n.sidetxt {padding:16em 2em 16em 2em;;margin:20px 0;}\n.centerimg img {margin-bottom:0px;}\n.instagram-media {margin:auto !important;}\n#wp-content hr {margin: 40px auto 80px auto;width: 80%;}\n<\/style>\n<p>\u201cSexy isn\u2019t dead, it\u2019s evolved,\u201d Models.com editor-in-chief, Stephan Moskovic believes. \u201cIn a world where what sexy encompasses is virtually limitless, more determined by individual viewpoints than markets, the culture the list was first created to track felt out of touch.\u201d As the creative community continues to elevate individualism, we have decided to better reflect the cultural shift in the markets by removing the Top Sexiest Models rankings from our official boards and instead track those clients in our Money List rankings. Models.com spoke to model agents and even turned the mic on ourselves to discuss the removal, the current cultural shift within the modeling industry, and what lies ahead for the industry. <\/p>\n<div class=\"centerimg\">\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/oftheminute\/images\/2021\/11\/Screen-Shot-2021-11-17-at-3.20.52-PM.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1160\" height=\"1202\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-140787\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/oftheminute\/images\/2021\/11\/Screen-Shot-2021-11-17-at-3.20.52-PM.png 1160w, https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/oftheminute\/images\/2021\/11\/Screen-Shot-2021-11-17-at-3.20.52-PM-618x640.png 618w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1160px) 100vw, 1160px\" \/>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong><em>What is sexy?<\/em><\/strong> Victoria&#8217;s Secret <a href=\"https:\/\/www.allure.com\/story\/victorias-secret-what-is-sexy-list\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">used to ask <\/a>the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.huffpost.com\/entry\/victorias-secret-what-is-sexy_n_56f5361de4b0143a9b47eb09\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">phrase of consumers<\/a>, randomly compiling a list breaking down the features of models and celebrities, that ranged from slightly understandable descriptors like &#8220;Sexiest Eyes&#8221; to the more ridiculous, &#8220;Sexiest Music Tour.&#8221; The resulting backlash to the list\u2019s last rendition in 2017 was <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bostonglobe.com\/metro\/2018\/02\/16\/beauty-and-ugly-truth\/c7r0WVsF5cib1pLWXJe9dP\/story.html\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">a clue<\/a> to what was to come for the weighted word\u2019s re-examination. In what has been the cathartic era of #MeToo, one thing is for certain &#8211; the most transformative power shift in culture has taken influence from former tastemakers while changing beauty standards for years to come. While washboard abs and unrealistic hip-to-waist ratios still permeate the model industry, a collection of leading commercial clients have expanded the idea of sexy to be more inclusive of skin tone, body type, gender, and disability. Whether it was the diverse casting for industry disruptor Rihanna\u2019s Savage x Fenty lingerie show from <a href=\"https:\/\/models.com\/work\/fenty-savage-x-fenty-fw-18-show\/1138380\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Year One<\/a>, Skims dressing Team USA Olympians and Paralympians this past summer, or Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue <a href=\"https:\/\/models.com\/work\/sports-illustrated-swimsuit-sports-illustrated-swimsuit-2021-covers\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">cover shoot<\/a> with Leyna Bloom, commercial clients are considering casts with their own personal brands and giving audiences the opportunity to align their causes with their pockets. Models.com originally created the Top Sexiest rankings list to recognize models who were primarily getting campaign deals with clients in lingerie or swimwear like <a href=\"\/\/models.com\/client\/victorias-secret\">Victoria&#8217;s Secret<\/a>, <a href=\"\/\/models.com\/client\/agent-provacateur\">Agent Provocateur<\/a>, or featured in the <a href=\"\/\/models.com\/client\/pirelli-calendar\">Pirelli Calendar<\/a> or the annual <a href=\"\/\/models.com\/client\/sports-illustrated-swimsuit-issue\">Sports Illustrated Swimsuit<\/a> issue. For male models, scantily clad designer clothing and fragrance ads from Abercrombie and Calvin Klein joined underwear and swimwear clients. Nowadays, you rarely see an ab on Abercrombie&#8217;s website, cleaned up to be more commercially inviting, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.businessoffashion.com\/articles\/marketing-pr\/last-abs-youll-ever-see-abercrombie-fitch\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">and to win back consumers<\/a>. <\/p>\n<div class=\"centerimg\">\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/oftheminute\/images\/2021\/11\/Screen-Shot-2021-11-17-at-3.19.52-PM.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"2134\" height=\"1018\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-140786\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/oftheminute\/images\/2021\/11\/Screen-Shot-2021-11-17-at-3.19.52-PM.png 2134w, https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/oftheminute\/images\/2021\/11\/Screen-Shot-2021-11-17-at-3.19.52-PM-640x305.png 640w, https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/oftheminute\/images\/2021\/11\/Screen-Shot-2021-11-17-at-3.19.52-PM-1280x611.png 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2134px) 100vw, 2134px\" \/>\n<\/div>\n<p>It is no coincidence that many of those aforementioned clients have also rebranded \u2014 <a href=\"https:\/\/models.com\/work\/pirelli-calendar-pirelli-calendar-2016-by-annie-leibovitz\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">after Annie Leibovitz shot in 2016<\/a>, Pirelli\u2019s annual calendar that once showcased the svelte, nude figures of fashion and Hollywood muses, has since weaned itself off exposed breasts. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/andriacheng\/2018\/07\/12\/heres-the-real-problem-behind-victorias-secrets-dramatic-fall\/?sh=2137bea81054\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">long list<\/a> of issues <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2020\/02\/01\/business\/victorias-secret-razek-harassment.html]\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">for Victoria&#8217;s Secret<\/a> is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/business\/2020\/02\/20\/5-factors-that-led-victorias-secrets-fall\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">obviously known<\/a> and a part of their current revamping efforts. Martin Waters, chief executive of Victoria\u2019s Secret &#038; Co. noted that \u201cwhen the world was changing, we were too slow to respond, we needed to stop being about what men want and to be about what women want.\u201d The new additions of brands like Savage x Fenty and Skims into the lingerie and shapewear arena have shown that <a href=\"https:\/\/wwd.com\/fashion-news\/fashion-scoops\/kim-kardashian-skims-solutionwear-real-models-1203249827\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">slow response to diverse marketing<\/a> or an inability <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/newsbeat-54441163\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">to pivot during a PR crisis<\/a> can lead to a quick death. This past June, VS finally ditched the angel wings in favor of the \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.victoriassecret.com\/us\/thevscollective\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">VS Collective<\/a>,\u201d touted as an \u201cunparallel group of trailblazing partners\u201d which includes Adut Akech, Hailey Bieber, Paloma Elsesser, Valentina Sampaio and more in approachable, editorially-tinged images that are already rolling out for the holidays. Sports Illustrated has pushed its content in recent years to feature models <a href=\"https:\/\/www.her.ie\/sport\/female-athlete-becomes-first-amputee-become-sports-illustrated-swimwear-model-389267\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">who are disabled<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/swimsuit.si.com\/swimnews\/halima-aden-si-swimsuit-2019-model-kenya\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">wearing hijab<\/a>, and had Sampaio featured in their 2020 rookie editorial, making her the first-ever trans model to be featured in the publication.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>\u201cIt\u2019s not about a certain height, body shape, or hair color anymore. When we think sexy, we need to ask the question&#8230;sexy to who?\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>For the agents, the terms around sexy have evolved significantly over the past few years now that models can cultivate powerful social media platforms. \u201cSexy is being confident and authentic,\u201d Maja Chiesi, Senior Vice President at IMG Models explains. \u201cIt\u2019s having an opinion, it\u2019s using your platform to encourage social change.\u201d What used to be successfully marketed when only the male gaze was considered, falls flat on today\u2019s ears and eyes as models demand legal protections and reform. \u201cIt\u2019s not about a certain height, body shape, or hair color anymore,\u201d Chiesi believes. \u201cWhen we think sexy, we need to ask the question&#8230;sexy to who?\u201d Ali Kavoussi, Managing Partner at The Lions, describes how the pendulum has swung in favor of the buyers, who are directly telling brands what they want to see in comments sections and worldwide forums. \u201cBefore, clients were looking within the industry to maintain the status quo and to appease the longstanding gatekeepers who prevented change,\u201d he explains. \u201cNow clients are looking to understand and truly cater to the needs of their customers.\u201d On Victoria\u2019s Secret rebrand, of which some of his models call a client, Kavoussi says \u201cit is a clear indicator that if you\u2019re willing to confront justifiable criticism with an openness for thorough introspection, no person, company, or systemic organism is beyond the positive change that can result from it.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"centerimg\">\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/oftheminute\/images\/2021\/11\/Screen-Shot-2021-11-17-at-3.19.41-PM.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"2078\" height=\"1052\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-140785\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/oftheminute\/images\/2021\/11\/Screen-Shot-2021-11-17-at-3.19.41-PM.png 2078w, https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/oftheminute\/images\/2021\/11\/Screen-Shot-2021-11-17-at-3.19.41-PM-640x324.png 640w, https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/oftheminute\/images\/2021\/11\/Screen-Shot-2021-11-17-at-3.19.41-PM-1280x648.png 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2078px) 100vw, 2078px\" \/>\n<\/div>\n<p>From Models.com\u2019s perspective, the clientele that used to be considered for Top Sexiest rankings continues to shelve out some of the biggest contracts and productions that a model can be a part of in their career. Tropical islands backdrops were always the setting for VS and millions have been spent on runway shows around the world. A 30-year-old veteran of the modeling industry, Models.com Managing Editor Betty Sze believes the evolution of \u201csexy\u201d from unattainable body types into a more inclusive vision was one of the greatest advancements of the fashion industry. &#8220;My 15-year-old daughter is growing up in an atmosphere where all sorts of shapes and sizes are accepted and appreciated,&#8221; Sze lays out. &#8220;The Rankings have always reflected what is happening in the industry and the people on the Sexiest ranking typified the male gaze that drove what was considered &#8216;sexy&#8217;.&#8221; Senior Features Editor &#038; NewFaces Editor Rosie Daly also attributes that the marketing around sexy was stuck in the early 2000s, the peak of the Brazilian Wave that brought forth the bombshell aesthetics that until recently was hard to shake. &#8220;Either you were sexy (i.e. young, slim, straight, not too ethnic, not too complicated) or not. No grey area,&#8221; Daly describes. &#8220;Thankfully within the past few years, it has taken on a lot more nuance. I think \u201csexy\u201d these days is less about meeting a set of physical criteria and more about ideology than it is about sex.&#8221;<br \/>\n<!--pp-thumb-start--><!--PictPress found no dir \/2021\/11\/140731--><!--pp-thumb-end--><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>\u201cSexy isn\u2019t dead, it\u2019s evolved,\u201d Models.com editor-in-chief, Stephan Moskovic believes. \u201cIn a world where what sexy encompasses is virtually limitless, more determined by individual viewpoints than markets, the culture the list was first created to track felt out of touch.\u201d As the creative community continues to elevate individualism, we have decided to better reflect the&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":436,"featured_media":140787,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[10414,2],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/oftheminute\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/140731"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/oftheminute\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/oftheminute\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/oftheminute\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/436"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/oftheminute\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=140731"}],"version-history":[{"count":30,"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/oftheminute\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/140731\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":140742,"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/oftheminute\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/140731\/revisions\/140742"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/oftheminute\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/140787"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/oftheminute\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=140731"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/oftheminute\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=140731"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/oftheminute\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=140731"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}