Although the fashion industry has recently become much more inclusive, some believe there is still a long way to go. There are an increasing number of models on the catwalks and magazine covers nowadays representing various situations, body types, and backgrounds. The stunning women in our post made the decision to forge their own paths in the industry, gradually bringing more people into the world of fashion.
Mara Martin
Mara Martin gained notoriety after she breastfed her daughter while walking down the runway at a 2018 Sports Illustrated fashion show. The model later remarked, “I’m very thankful to be able to share this message and perhaps mainstream nursing and also show others that ladies CAN DO IT ALL!”
Lyn Slater
A few years ago, the 69-year-old college professor decided to start a blog to follow her love of fashion, which led to her becoming an “accidental icon.” Slater shot to fame when some photographers mistakenly thought she was a part of New York Fashion Week. While in her sixties, she was signed with Elite models, made several magazine covers, and walked a few runways. The model defines herself as “simply an ordinary person who changed me at age 61.”
Lauren Wasser
Lauren Wasser had to have both of her legs amputated when she was 24 years old due to toxic shock syndrome. Wasser had two wonderful parents growing up, and prior to getting sick, she had been doing the same. The model decided to continue her career and work to make it more inclusive after going through a depressive phase and trying to accept her new shape. Since then, Wasser has used her golden prosthetic legs to stroll along innumerable catwalks.
Shahad Salman
Shahad Salman, 25, began pursuing a career in the same profession a few years ago after being motivated by the success of Winnie Harlow, another supermodel with vitiligo. Regarding her role in the industry, Salman emphasised the significance of both having self-confidence and challenging stereotypes. One of my best qualities is that. I’ve benefited greatly from realising that I can inspire others.
Hari Nef
The first transgender lady to be featured on the cover of a well-known British fashion publication was Hari Nef. She made her runway debut in 2015 and joined IMG, making history as the agency’s first transgender model. Nef has a writing and acting career in addition to her modelling career. She has appeared in a number of well-regarded programmes, such as Transparent and You.
Nyome Nicholas-Williams
Plus-size model and body positivity advocate Nyome Nicholas-Williams led a successful effort to alter Instagram’s community guidelines. In addition to her job in the beauty industry, the British model uses her reputation for other charitable endeavours, including as serving as an ambassador for a group that works to prevent homelessness.
Kate Grant
Last year, 24-year-old Kate Grant joined a modelling agency in Northern Ireland as the nation’s first model with Down syndrome. When Grant was 19 and won a pageant, her illustrious career in the industry officially began. She has since participated in activism for a more diverse fashion industry and appeared in London Fashion Week. “I advocate for the inclusion of people with a disability or an ability using my platform. I speak on behalf of those who are voiceless.
Jillian Mercado
Jillian Mercado uses a wheelchair and has muscular dystrophy, but she has never let those limitations stop her from following her career ambitions and fighting for representation.
Mercado made her catwalk debut at New York Fashion Week after being featured on the covers of multiple fashion magazines and using her social media platform to raise awareness of disabilities.
Do you believe the fashion industry has gotten much more inclusive, or do you believe there is still much work to be done? How might it still be enhanced?
Preview photo credit AP/EAST NEWS, Yuchen Liao / Getty Images Entertainment / Getty Images
