Models of Diversity: Embracing Inclusivity and diversity in fashion and beauty

By: Prachi Khatri

Diversity in modeling is no longer just a matter of race and ethnicity, size and age. It's everything and anything. As we think of the fashion industry, it has been on a transformative journey with diversity. Models, fashion shows, ad campaigns and catwalks once dominated by superficial beauty standards is now blossoming into a vibrant tapestry of diversity, inclusivity and normalizing difference.

The greatest change is to see is designers and fashion enthusiast promoting inclusivity with models of all shapes and forms flaunting their natural beauty without any insecurity. The shift in how we perceive fashion is no longer defined by a narrow spectrum image. One significant driving force to this change is the Models of Diversity organization.

Image Source: Modelsofdiversity.org 

Models of Diversity is a campaign advocating for diversity in models, demanding the fashion industry recognises beauty in people of all races, ages, shapes, sizes & abilities. They make direct call outs to the fashion, beauty and marketing industries to recognise the beauty in people of all races, age, sizes and abilities. Their mission is to change the face of fashion and modelling. according to their website.

This organisation is dedicated to promoting the greater diversity in fashion, beauty, and media industry. They believe that a successful model is not just flawless skin and superficial beauty but a person who can carry their natural beauty with confidence.

Angel Sinclair, the UK based founder of Models of Diversity started the campaign in 2008. A model herself, Sinclair identified the lack of diversity in the fashion industry during a Gok’s “Miss Naked beauty” show and decided to help models from diverse background raise awareness about inequality in the fashion industry.

Models of Diversity created a platform of equal opportunity for all shapes of women. Kelly Knox, the first disabled model to be part of the campaign has been successful in building a modelling career in fashion industry through her affiliation with the organisation.

Models of Diversity has been consistently advocating for change in the fashion industry. It speaks to requirements such as diverse ethnic backgrounds, body types, ages and disabilities. Thanks to this charity organisation people are talking about models like Winnie Harlow who despite having vitiligo, a skin condition, boosted her modeling employment and questioning the conventional norms of beauty that are being enforced on society. Another role model is Ashley Graham, the plus-size model who opened the door for many curvy women and taught them that everyone should accept their body size.

Clearly, not just anyone can be a model; a successful model must have a special beauty, confidence, professionalism, ability to take direction, even artistic awareness. But no one with those talents should be excluded from the industry on arbitrary grounds. And no one should feel shut out from the modern presentation of beauty. Our ambition is to change how the fashion industry thinks and responds to the needs of all the fashion-buying public. - Modelsofdiversity.org



The runway today has a different narrative than it did a decade ago. Halima Aden, the first hijab-wearing model to appear on the covers of popular magazines and Jillian Mercado, a model with muscular dystrophy who actively speaks on Disability Matters have been successful at breaking barriers. Models of Diversity is working towards amplifying the success of models who have a special beauty in conjunction with confidence, professionalism, the ability to take direction and artistic awareness.

Today’s fluctuations in the aesthetics and morality of modeling and the changes that have occurred in the last couple of years are not a trend; it’s a forward thinking and positive approach to fashion that shapes a better world. It is important that as a society we support, empower and promote the value of humans, appreciate beauty in all forms. The future fashion should be inspiring, inclusive and celebrating all kinds of diversity. It is time to set new standards of beauty in the fashion world.