Beauty diversified

Kate Alvarez, assistant fashion and beauty editor of OK! Magazine Philippines, says that the problem of westernization can be attributed to the Philippines' being a Third world country. There is a tendency to look up to First world countries for cultural influences. The gurus, from fashion designers to makeup artists, are found mostly in western countries, and the magazine industry looks up to them for the latest trends.
Although others view the media as a means for setting stereotypical looks, she says that today, the concept has become broader. She argues that the local society has evolved from the dilemma of the westernization of beauty ideals. "If you browse through some of today's magazines, both foreign and local, you'll notice that there are some models who don't fit the standard tall and slender", says Ms.Alvarez. She calls these the "anti-it" models, and in fact, in booking their models for the magazine, they look for those that fit their theme, and not necessarily because of an acceptable look.
The west in itself is synthesizing Asian Hollywood icon Gwen Stefani as an example, who launched a fashion line, inspired by the Harajaku girls of Japan. Artists like The Black Eyed Peas, The Pussycat Dolls and Cassie, among others, are penetrating the foreign industry, while proudly declaring their heritage. The beauty icons seen today are no longer limited to the usual blonde-haired, blue-eyed Americans.