“BLUE STEEL: Rise of the Supermodel” explores the ongoing search for the ideal form amidst the wider framework of diversity and inclusion, with a particular focus on the stories from several stars of the male modelling world.
Featuring the top supermodels of all time, past and present, together with a who’s who from the worlds of fashion and entertainment, the film draws on commentary from many of the world’s biggest fashion designers, photographers, artists, and celebrities to comment on beauty standards today.
Humans have long been fascinated by what constitutes the ideal form, be it in art, on the silver screen, in the pages of glossy magazines, on global fashion runways, or new digital platforms like Instagram. Throughout history, those with undeniable X-factor were more than just famous, they became icons.
From the Ancient to Now
In Ancient Greece, artists aimed to define the notion of the body beautiful and the aesthetic ideal.
The human form was used as an object of sensory delight and an expression of the intelligent
mind. The Ancients had a view that perfection did not exist in nature. Perfection was what art
gave to nature. The idea of a sculpted body was design, with inspiration drawn
not from one, but several models; the arm of one, the head of another, female and male. The
biggest compliment you could pay a young man of the time was to say he resembled a bronze
God statue or sculpture.
In “BLUE STEEL: Rise of the Supermodel” we look at this ongoing fascination and the evolution of
modelling as a resulting phenomenon, from the first mention of the model in Paris in the 1800’s
right up to the present ‘Decade of Diversity’ and the minorities under-represented in most TV
coverage of the subject.
Today, just as in ancient times there’s a huge and seemingly insatiable interest in beauty / body
culture. So what is the modern ideal? When does aspiration become exasperation? Are there
destructive side effects for vulnerable young people? And how are new forces such as social
media, diversity, gender fluidity, body politics, representation, and inclusion shaping culture’s
current idea of ‘The Ideal’?
“BLUE STEEL: Rise of the Supermodel” features the seductive look and appeal of the world’s
most stylised feature films, combined with artful storytelling and a heartfelt exploration of beauty,
fashion, fame, and the human condition. Shot across the locations of NYC, LA, Miami, Milan,
Barcelona, Argentina and Paris, the series features over 100 special Zoom interviews.
“BLUE STEEL: Rise of the Supermodel” will be the benchmark of innovative fashion/arts/culture
documentary programming, through the efforts of an award winning Writer / Director who is an
authority on the genre, together with an experienced, resourceful and professional production
team.
EPISODE SUMMARY
1-The Supermodel
2-1990’s Rise of The Male Supermodel
3-Tyson Beckford – The First Male Supermodel
4-Sean O’pry – Most Successful Male Supermodel Today
5-Nacho Figueras – A Polo Playing Supermodel
6-Lucky Blue Smith – ‘Bigger Than Elvis’
7-2020’s Supermodel Decade Of Diversity
