Softcore glamor photography and videos of female models in Japan. It can range from clothed and tame to nude and provocative.
(The older definition on here claimed the models were teens at the oldest, which is not true. Many gravure idols are in their 20s or older.)
(The older definition on here claimed the models were teens at the oldest, which is not true. Many gravure idols are in their 20s or older.)
by psyduck1 May 17, 2009
An art form popular in Japan whereby a pre-teen or teen female idol poses for clothed, semi-clothed, or nude pictures in various positions and costumes. The pictures are published in magazine form, called photobooks, featuring only this female model and no others. Gravure idols feature race queens and pop idols who who to achieve celebrity by selling their images.
by 1337 d00d July 1, 2005
A gravure idol (グラビアアイドル gurabia aidoru), often abbreviated to gradol (グラドル guradoru), is a Japanese female model who primarily models in magazines, especially those marketed to men, photobooks, or DVDs. Gravure idols, in most cases, emphasize their sexual attractiveness and often model in swimsuits.
Gravure idols appear in a wide range of photography styles and genres. Their photos are largely aimed at male audiences. Though they never appear nude, their poses are seen as semi-provocative.
Gravure models may be of any age but usually range from their late teens to their mid-twenties. In addition to appearing in mainstream magazines, gravure idols often release their own professional photobooks and DVDs for their fans. Many popular female idols in Japan launched their careers by starting out as gravure idols.
Gravure models are commonly photographed wearing bikinis or lingerie, but may also appear wearing schoolgirl uniforms, Japanese street fashion, and kimonos. Since 2008, ZAKZAK magazine has awarded a Gravure Idol Award.
The word グラビア (gurabia), used in Japanese to describe female models of this kind, is derived from the English-language term rotogravure, which is a printing method that was once commonly used in the production of illustrated magazines. The modern meaning of the term "gravure idol" is thus loosely "magazine model", a reference to the medium in which most of the idols gain stardom.
Gravure idols appear in a wide range of photography styles and genres. Their photos are largely aimed at male audiences. Though they never appear nude, their poses are seen as semi-provocative.
Gravure models may be of any age but usually range from their late teens to their mid-twenties. In addition to appearing in mainstream magazines, gravure idols often release their own professional photobooks and DVDs for their fans. Many popular female idols in Japan launched their careers by starting out as gravure idols.
Gravure models are commonly photographed wearing bikinis or lingerie, but may also appear wearing schoolgirl uniforms, Japanese street fashion, and kimonos. Since 2008, ZAKZAK magazine has awarded a Gravure Idol Award.
The word グラビア (gurabia), used in Japanese to describe female models of this kind, is derived from the English-language term rotogravure, which is a printing method that was once commonly used in the production of illustrated magazines. The modern meaning of the term "gravure idol" is thus loosely "magazine model", a reference to the medium in which most of the idols gain stardom.
by Rivv ·X· January 2, 2016