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Models with pimply skin feature in Moto Guo show at Milan Men’s Fashion Week

Models at the Moto Guo show, at Milan Men's Fashion Week, Spring Summer 2017. Picture: Rex

MALAYSIAN fashion designer Moto Guo sent models down the runway at Milan Men’s Fashion Week with pimply skin, intentionally created using makeup.
We’re used to seeing models with flawless skin, but the designer wanted to create a more natural, realistic look.
“The reason [Moto Guo] wanted to create this look was because he thinks kids and teenagers should not always be flawless,” a spokeswoman told news.com.au.
“The theme for this collection is called Picnic In The Society, where teenagers will be exposed a lot under the sun, and hence they will naturally have acne and blemishes on their faces,” she said.

Yep, pimples are now fashion. Picture: Estrop/WireImageSource:Getty Images

Fashion bible Women’s Wear Dailydescribed the beauty look at “nerdy grooming” and the clothing as “almost ridiculous and childlike outfits”.
But in its review of the show, WWD said the collection fell flat.
“In a fashion capital known for its strong focus on business — even with whimsy attached to it — this collection actually felt out of place.”

The childlike fashion fell flat with critics. Picture: Victor Boyko/Getty ImagesSource:Getty Images

Picture: Rex FeaturesSource:Splash News Australia

Picture: Rex FeaturesSource:Splash News Australia

Uniting a cast of mega beauties such as Christie Brinkley, Christy Turlington, Cheryl Tiegs, Jerry Hall, Isabella Rossellini and Paulina Porizkova, explore the hidden ugly side of the beauty industry.

The Important Meaning Behind These Models With Acne at a Fashion Show

When you attend a fashion show, there are guaranteed to be some some surprises. Take Lady Gaga's runway walk at the Marc Jacobs show or the time Hood by Air sent models with unblended contoured faces down the Spring 2016 catwalk. Whatever the stunt may be, it's bound to awe the viewers and whip up excitement for the haute couture creations.
Recently, at Milan Men's Fashion Week, Malaysian fashion designer Moto Guo took the shock value one step further by sending models down his Spring 2017 runway with full-blown acne. We're not talking about a pimple here or there; these models had red splotches all over their faces. These weren't real breakouts, but rather uniquely executed makeup looks created using lip liners and eye pencils.
By spotlighting acne flare-ups in his show during Fashion Week, the designer spoke to a larger point: that blemishes and skin problems are real, and it's OK to leave them exposed. At fashion shows, we almost expect to see models only with glossy hair and pristine skin, but Moto Guo shattered this illusion by choosing to highlight the realities many of us struggle with daily.
One of his makeup artists snapped a photo of the models and captioned it, "pimples and rashes are in fashion now."
Though I understand what she means by "in fashion," that's not exactly the term I would use to describe the meaning behind Moto Guo's show. Zits, pimples, rashes, and other skin problems are not edgy or trendy. These are sensitive issues many people struggle with on a daily basis. And to declare acne as "in" makes light of a difficult and often heart-wrenching subject. It adds even more insult to injury that the skin conditions featured in the show were faked with makeup. Why couldn't Guo have just hired models with uneven complexions if he wanted to make a statement?
That being said, it's worthy to note that Moto Guo began an important conversation: all skin types can be represented on the runway. Beauty diversity at Fashion Week has been an ongoing topic, and this is just another example of how it's being executed. Past designers like Marc Jacobs and Jason Wu led the way for Moto Guo by choosing to emphasize their models' natural beauty by sending them down the runway makeup free.
Ahead, see photos from the show and let us know what you make of the situation.