(This article was originally published in March 2000)

The setting: 2000 Spring collections in Toronto. My job: fashion model. My fee: undisclosed. Job description: walk down length of runway, pose in front of the circus of cameras, turn, walk back and exit stage. Repeat as necessary. No thinking required.

Standing backstage during rehearsals for the spring collections in Toronto, I was rudely awakened to the possibility that, in the future, my job as a runway model may no longer exist. The unnecessary commotion, disorganization and egos have created the perfect forum for the old school to exit and a new one to make its entrance. Conclusion: replace models with computers.

To walk down the runway, pose for the paparazzi, turn around and exit the stage isn't rocket science, nor is it in anyway glamorous for that matter. Models can easily be replaced by computer-generated images. No industry is immune to the invasion of computer technology; the fashion world is no exception. Modeling agencies already understand the potential of marketing computer models. Quick to jump on the bandwagon, an agency in New York has a division of computer models with their roster growing quickly. Considering the BBC not too long ago targeted this agency for sex and scandal involving teenage models, this new venture into computer technology is quite timely.

A runway model is supposed to be the closest thing to a walking clothes hanger. Shocking but disturbingly true. Where the glamour is in that dumbfounds me.

Replicating the movements, facial expressions, and body type of models onto the computer screen is the easy part. Difficulty lies in capturing the—dare I say—essence of the clothing. Designers take pride in the various textures of materials, details in the cut of the designs and the rich colors of the fabric. Duplicating an Armani suit, in its sophistication of cut and richness in fabric, into a computer image would perhaps lose some quality and character of the genuine piece. But on the flip side, designers could have more liberty to design. Anything is possible to design on a computer, whereas the limitations of material prevent a designer from exploring every possible idea.

The real issue here is: why should we replace the real thing with a mere image. In some cases, like modeling, replacing reality with fiction could be a good thing. The business of modeling is all about discovering that perfect face with symmetrical bone structure and a kick ass body to match. The only problem is that most of the faces come with a less than desirable attitude. Now we can play God. A perfect or imperfect face can be created with the touch of a keyboard, and the attitude is only a figment of the imagination.

In print, models are already computerized to some degree. Fashion magazine covers are 'touched up' to hide the flaws and imperfections on the skin and to enhance cleavage or decrease a waistline. Therefore, would the next step not be to computerize runway models?

Models are habitually late for rehearsals and shows. Logically, the techno-supermodel would be on time, professional, and able to get the job done precisely the way the client wants it, without complaints, arguments or opinions. Egos would be a thing of the past. There would be no more, "I don't get out of bed for less than $10,000," as an issue.

Pages in fashion magazines dedicated to spreading the gossip of backstage drama would need to find equally intriguing topics to satisfy the appetite of model/celebrity inquiring minds. The runway model feeds the void celebrities can't quite seem to fill. We, the sponges of the information age, could certainly survive without knowing the trivial gossip and fictionalized factual personal information.

To many young girls make these models their role models, heroes, and goddesses. Little do they know of the truth and the lives of supermodels. With computerized models on the runway, society would be one step closer to providing girls with true role models. By leaving behind the distraction of living up to a standard that most women in the world will never achieve, we will be all the better for it. Perhaps girls will choose real women to act as their heroes.

Could this be the future for models? Nothing more than an image on a computer screen, an image made to order, an image of perfection? The benefits for society seem endless; the possibilities stretch beyond the horizon and the fashion models of today could finally eat more than a piece of celery for dinner. Models should take note that with agencies creating divisions and marketing computer models it won't be long before they could be off the catwalk and serving coffee at Starbucks.

Latte anyone?

Copyright © 2000 Juli Strader All Rights Reserved

Juli Strader lives in Ottawa where she teaches aspiring young models how to walk the catwalk in her spare time. She leads a life of paradox.