Vogue Charity Fashion Show is getting a facelift in an effort to promote healthy body
images on campus.
Last March, Queen’s students shed stereotypes in appreciation for self-love and beauty in a flash-mob-styled fashion show called Rogue, resulting in claims that Vogue had a body-type-bias.
This year’s Vogue co-presidents Nicole Emmet and Jessica Lancaster said that although they agreed with the basis of Rogue, they don’t believe the message was directed at their show.
“Their message wasn’t different than anything we’ve been trying to achieve in the past,” Lancaster, ArtSci ’11, said. “We’ve always strived to have a message of diversity. Vogue has always been a proactive organization. We’re not blind to the changes needed. Our new initiatives this year were not developed as a reaction to Rogue.”
Lancaster, said the theme of this year’s show ‘Vivre: Virtue de la Vie’ (virtues of life), correlates to big changes they’ve put into action.
“This year, Vogue is open to a lot of individuality. Living your life is a virtue itself,” she said. “We recognize there are hardships, and it’s about embracing those that we encounter. It’s about embracing who you are. Your flaws are part of your image and character.”
Emmett, ArtSci ’11, said she wants to encourage self-esteem and diversity this year, and wants models of all body types to apply.
“We’re looking for people who are confident in themselves, and can command the attention of the audience. We want them to make the effort to connect
with us,” she said.
In the past, models trying out for Vogue have been asked to audition by walking down the runway in a bikini. Emmet and Lancaster said that while this is not required this year, it’s still recommended because it shows that people are confident in their own skin.
That isn’t the only thing they’ve changed though. Previously, the show’s lingerie scene was mandatory for all models, but this year, models and dancers get to choose whether to participate in it or in the ensemble dance scene.
Emmett said both she and Lancaster are partaking in the lingerie scene to inspire confidence in others.
“It’s about pushing ourselves outside of our comfort zone. I wouldn’t want to walk up on the stage in front of 700 people, but Jessica and I are going to do it anyway. We want to inspire other people to embrace who they are,” Emmet said.
Rosie Shipton, ArtSci ’11, modeled for Vogue last year and said she’s planning on trying out again this year. She said she loves the show for the great environment it promotes and the sense of community it creates.
“I felt absolutely no pressure to be a certain size. The focus wasn’t on body type it was on energy,” Shipton said. “Everyone was there for the same reasons, for the charity, and to put on a great show.”
Emmett said the executive will be organizing an ‘I am Vogue’ week which will be a proclamation of self-love and living a healthy life style. Students can expect flash mobs on campus and a two-hour relay event on Oct. 24 sponsored by Minute Maid.
Emmett and Lancaster said they’re trying to stress the charitable nature of the show because of cast ’ commitment to their charity, the Learning Disabilities Association of Kingston. Last year, Vogue’s audience grew to about 2,000 people over the show’s four day run which amounted
to $25, 000 split between Frontenac Public School and Holy Family Catholic School.
Emmett said this year’s focus is the promotion of what Vogue really is and what it stands for. She hopes that this will encourage a more diverse group of
models to apply.
“The reactions to the changes have been very positive so far. A lot of girls have come up to me, surprised that we are actually open to all different body types. They said that they might not have applied to be a model in the past,” she said.
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