DARE TO ASK: Are hottest models imported?

By PHILLIP MILANO, The Times-Union

Question

How come the hottest-looking models are always from foreign countries?

Roland, 15, Fleming Island

Replies

Supply and demand. Import vs. domestic. In a purely market-driven economy, even the hot models are more attractive simply because they come from somewhere other than America. Truthfully, the foreign models are quite hideous and must be air-brushed to hide the multiple flaws. The term "coyote ugly" applies to models from other countries.

Spartan80, 44, female, Texas

It's probably because most models you see are from the Victoria's Secret Angels "team." We have plenty of American supermodels: Tyra Banks, Cindy Crawford, Niki Taylor, Kim Alexis, Rebecca Romijn, etc. One reason it may seem there are so many foreign-born models is that the fashion capitals of the world are primarily in Europe . . . .

Nicole, 22, Jacksonville

Maybe they just seem hot to you because they look more exotic than corn-fed U.S. models. I'm not sure what those foreign beauties eat - not much? I do think the foreign models look a bit different since they tend to have a certain ethnic look vs. U.S. models, who are often a combination of many nationalities. Kinda like a purebred vs. a mutt.

Buford, 43, Adamsville, Tenn.

Experts say

Roland, meet Kim Alexis. Well, probably in your dreams, but at least we can introduce you via the printed word.

"You're probably looking in the wrong place," Alexis says she'd tell you if you posed your question in the flesh.

The former supermodel, who lives in Ponte Vedra Beach, says that yes, Victoria's Secret and magazines like Maxim mean there are more chances for models willing to show more skin to do just that.

"Some girls in other countries are raised with a more liberal outlook on their body and what they will do with their body," said Alexis, who now counsels girls considering modeling to "be careful about doing anything that makes you feel uncomfortable or violated."

"I suppose there's 'hot' and then there's 'beautiful.' And there are beautiful girls all over the world," she said. "Sometimes young boys don't care about beauty."

Real beauty to her is a classic, fresh look, not gaunt and haunted, as is the fad lately.

Stylist Darleen Unger of the Northeast Florida chapter of Fashion Group International would agree, and adds that Roland might be thinking he's seeing "exotic" models when in fact they may hail from Alabama or Chicago.

"The other thing is that Armani and other European designers now hold shows in New York, and years ago they didn't do that.

"They will bring models with them, so you have a chance to see these foreign models whereas perhaps in the past you didn't."

Phillip Milano, author of I Can't Believe You Asked That! (Perigee), moderates cross-cultural dialogue at Y? The National Forum on People's Differences. Visit www.yforum.com to submit questions and answers. Send general column comments to phillip. milano@jacksonville.com. You can also hear his podcasts or watch his TV spots.