In a world dominated by images of seemingly flawless figures, it’s easy to forget that the reality behind these visuals is often far from authentic. A former photo retoucher associated with a major lingerie brand recently opened up about the extensive manipulation that takes place in the industry, shedding light on the unrealistic standards many women feel pressured to meet.
In an interview with a popular lifestyle outlet, “Emily,” who has worked as a retoucher for Victoria’s Secret and other brands, explained why she no longer engages in certain practices. “I realized that what I was doing contributed to a harmful narrative, and that’s a significant part of why I stepped back from full-time retouching.” Emily’s disclosure aims to enlighten the public about the extent to which images are altered before they hit the market.
Interestingly, the retouching process begins long before the camera clicks. Models are often fitted with hair extensions, and Emily noted that she rarely encountered a model with natural hair during shoots. Furthermore, the use of padding—such as “chicken cutlets” for breast enhancement—is standard practice. “The swimsuits are so heavily constructed that they feel almost weighty when held in hand,” she noted.
Another shocking revelation is the use of push-up bras hidden beneath swimwear. This is often retouched to give the illusion of cleavage, even in designs that are supposed to be strapless. Many women have experienced disappointment when trying on these garments, only to find that the effects are purely fabricated. Emily mentioned that models, too, would often arrive at shoots with unshaven underarms, as the retouching process would eliminate any signs of hair. “They pose with their arms raised, and many don’t even bother to shave because we handle that in post-production,” she explained.
Emily also highlighted that breasts are often digitally altered to appear rounder and more symmetrical, leading to the misconception that such features are typical among models. In reality, many of the models are much smaller in breast size than portrayed, creating an unattainable ideal that can leave women feeling inadequate.
As the conversation turned to body shapes, Emily shared that the models are typically thinner than perceived, and retouching adds curves that are not present. Attempts to employ models with diverse body types have not resonated with consumers, revealing a stark reality: the market often dictates these exaggerated representations.
While brands like Aerie have noted success in promoting more realistic imagery without retouching, the industry at large remains hesitant to abandon these practices, prioritizing profit over authenticity.
Emily’s revelations serve as a reminder that even the most celebrated images are often the result of extensive manipulation, a reality that should help quell the self-doubt many women experience when comparing themselves to such portrayals. The truth is, even the models don’t often look like the images presented to us.
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In summary, Emily’s insights into the photo retouching world reveal the extensive efforts taken to create the idealized images we often see. Such revelations encourage a more critical view of media portrayals, reminding us that perfection is frequently an illusion, not a reality.
Keyphrase: Victoria’s Secret photo retouching
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