Fashion Model Analysis: What Makes Yoon Young Bae Attractive?
Using a scientific approach to examine Bae’s facial features
Yoon Young Bae, a South Korean fashion model, began her international career at 19 with Prada’s Fall/Winter fashion show in 2016. Following that, she received bookings from numerous luxury brands, including Chanel, Burberry, and Celine. In 2020, the 23-year-old Bae was ranked as a ‘TOP 50’ model by models.com.
Bae might be most recognised for her doll-like appearance, an uncommon feature on the runway in the Western world. And though that is a key trait to her success, her beauty is more nuanced. Bae’s features not only convey an innocent persona but also carry a sense of intimidation. This contrast is achieved through her unique set of facial features—some being youthful, yet some being more masculine.
This article will dive deeper into this contrast by analysing through a scientific lens, the key facial features that make her a standout model in the fashion industry.
▍Juvenile Features
The first thing I notice about Bae is her juvenileness, mainly from her ‘round cheeks’. While other Western models pursue the ‘hollow cheek’ look, she stands out from the norm. Interestingly, her round cheeks end with a pointed chin, which adds a touch of femininity to her youthful appearance and harmony to her chubby face. The second feature that stands out to me is her full-leading hairline, which conveys a youthful and healthy image.
- Round Cheeks:
Research suggests that round cheeks enhance facial attractiveness, particularly in females (Ester, 2023; Leeuwen, 2004; Jones, 2016). For example, a study (Ester, 2023) found that cheek fat volume increases with BMI, which may contribute to a fuller, more youthful appearance. Another study (Leeuwen, 2004) further highlights the positive influence of facial attractiveness on implicit responses, suggesting that round cheeks may subconsciously signal health and vitality. To add to those findings, research (Jones, 2016) shows that certain facial skin colour variations (e.g., increased cheek redness) can enhance perceptions of health.
These findings collectively suggest that round cheeks may be attractive due to their association with youthfulness, health, and vitality.
- A Full-Leading Hairline:
Studies show that hair quality, including hairline, can significantly impact perceptions of attractiveness (Fink, 2018; Patzer, 1988; Saegusa, 2015; Fink, 2016). According to a hair restoration surgery report (Epstein & Alexander, 2013), a lower anterior hairline and, consequently, a shorter forehead height are seen as more youthful and attractive in women in particular. Conversely, a longer forehead is associated with ageing, masculinity, and unattractiveness. This is supported by Meskó and Bereczkei (2004), who state that a fuller hairline is a sign of good phenotypic and genetic quality. That is to say, a full-leading hairline delivers a young and healthy image that contributes to individuals’ overall attractiveness.
▍Masculine Feature
Bae’s youthfulness alone is not enough to win the attention of the fashion world. We now look at her more fierce, sharp characteristics that provide a beautiful balance to her aesthetic when juxtaposed with her rounder, innocent features.
- Eye Shape:
Research suggests that ‘natural canthal tilt’ and ‘positive canthal tilt’ are significant cues in the perception of facial attractiveness (Bashour, 2007; Vaca et al., 2021). In males, positive canthal tilt is linked to physical strength and dominance, which women consider attractive (Fink, 2007). On the contrary, people with ‘negative canthal tilts’ are considered unattractive because they may give the impression of tiredness and low spirits (see figure below).
Bae’s eye shape, particularly the positive canthal tilt, creates a harsh masculine impression in photographs. This trait, contributes to her attractiveness. Her monolid, on the other hand, softens her sharpness and conveys a sense of innocence. This feature makes her suitable for both youthful and masculine types of photoshoots. On top of that, with a wide enough space between her eyes and eyebrows, she’s perfect for a beauty campaign.
▍Other Attractiveness Features
In addition to her unique youthful and fierce features, Bae also possesses a couple of other notable attributes. Her high cheekbones and full lips, though they aren’t qualities new to the fashion world, still add to her overall attractiveness.
- High Cheekbones:
Research has consistently found a link between high cheekbones and attractiveness in females (Shoukat Ali, 2021; Cunningham, 1986; Liu et al., 2019; Scheib, 1999; Valenzano, 2006). For instance, a study (Cunningham, 1986) examined the relationship between female facial features and attractiveness by having male subjects rate each female’s attractiveness. A positive correlation was found in neonate features (large eyes, a small nose, and a small chin), maturity features (prominent cheekbones and narrow cheeks), and expressive features (high eyebrows, large pupils, and a large smile).
The Ogee Curve is another desirable trait and is often found in those with high cheekbones. Research suggests that the ogee curve, a key component of an oval facial shape, is considered attractive in females (Goodman, 2015). This is further supported by the finding that an average face, which often includes an ogee curve, is perceived as more attractive (Valentine, 2004).
Bae has a very pronounced ogee curve that highlights her eyebrows and seamlessly connects her pointed chin, forming a beautiful silhouette line from the top to the bottom.
- Fuller Lips:
Though fuller lips are definitely on trend now, thanks to celebrities and social media personalities, there is scientific backing for its popularity. Multiple psychological studies have revealed a correlation between fuller lips and sexual attraction (Bisson, 2009; Bisson & Grobbelaar, 2004; Kar, 2018). For example, a study (Kar, 2018) found that lip shape and volume determine facial attractiveness, particularly in females. Due to the fact that fuller lips have been linked with fertility signs such as voluptuousness, sensuality, and youth (Bisson & Grobbelaar, 2004).
▍Facial Trend
Aside from those facial features that make Bae attractive, the ‘facial trend’ (i.e., illness look) is also involved in her success.
In the 2019 Paris Fashion Week, Balenciaga featured models who wore makeup to exaggerate extreme facial features, such as sunken faces and incredibly angular cheekbones, a very distinct aesthetic that made models appear intimidating and alien, yet also ill or sick. This ‘illness look’ has taken centre stage this season. Some models achieve this ‘illness look’ by removing buccal fat from models’ faces, making them appear slimmer and more chiselled.
Bae’s facial features, on the other hand, do not adhere to this trend—in fact, almost adhering to the other extreme. Bae’s face presents a youthful, healthy image. Bae’s counter-trend facial features allow her to stand out as a breath of fresh air, or a palette cleanser, in a fashion age where more alien, or ‘sickly’ features are mainstream.
▍Conclusion
Yoon Young Bae’s unique set of facial features places her in a special spot in the fashion industry. In a world where diversity and inclusivity are gaining prominence, Bae emerges as a symbol of beauty that transcends borders and defies stereotypes. Her beauty delicately balances seemingly paradoxical traits like youthfulness and fierceness and allows her to transcend conventional beauty norms.
Bae doesn’t need to conform to beauty trends by looking more chiselled. Bae, with her rounded face and youthful features, resists the pressure of an industry that advocates for a certain beauty standard and challenges the status quo. Her success as a model paves the way for a more inclusive and diverse representation of beauty in the evolving fashion industry.
▍Reflective statement
The author’s background and beauty standards need to be considered for this article. The author used to be a model agent in Taiwan and worked in the Chinese fashion industry for a few years. She now lives in London after graduating from UAL with a degree in fashion psychology. Therefore, this article may mainly be based on Eastern beauty standards mixed with a bit of Western perspective.
Regarding the limitations of this article, it only focuses on the key facial features. Other factors, such as harmony and symmetry, should also be considered.
▍References
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