Hey, fashionistas and trendsetters! Welcome to our glamorous corner of the internet where we’re strutting down the runway of diversity in the modelling world.
Models Direct celebrates the freedom to be yourself. Our mission is to allow our models, whatever their age is, to grow, learn and feel empowered through their experiences with our modelling team and our top-tier clients.
We’re about creating authentic connections and making committed modelling assignments with purpose. This blog is dedicated to the diversity our UK modelling agency is proud to bring – past, present and future.
What is diversity?
Diversity is about recognising and valuing the differences in all of us. This includes (but is not limited to) age, gender, ethnicity, race, religion, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status. We’re not the same – life would be boring otherwise! It’s about respect and understanding that an inclusive environment is where everyone can feel uplifted and not cast aside.
Diversity in the modelling industry
What was once a rigid and historically narrow view of beauty standards, the modelling industry has made serious strides towards pushing diversity to the forefront. It’s at the top of the pack, not at the bottom of the pile and continues to grow stronger each day. This positive change has meant that representation in the fashion industry, the media and the wider community has elevated diversity by bringing a realistic edge to this industry.
Currently, the British Fashion Council is actively working towards a long-term plan to fight discrimination and prejudice by diversifying the UK fashion scene. The UK Fashion DEI Report was released on 23rd January 2024 and is a first-of-its-kind review using discoveries from The UK Fashion DEI Census and other findings which is one example of how diversity is being studied.
Which designers are considering diversity on the global platform?
Anniesa Hasibuan, Chromat, Gypsy Sport, Tracy Reese and Tome are some of the many examples of fashion designers who have embraced diverse models of different sizes, ages, races, cultures and religious beliefs on the runway. They’ve demonstrated that inclusion should always be in fashion and that everybody is beautiful no matter who you are or where you’re from.
Is ‘diversity’ just a buzzword?
We don’t believe so, no. The inclusion of people within the modelling industry has catapulted over the last few years. This true representation of people has been a significant milestone in this sector where it was once taboo to have anything that went beyond the strict beauty standard guidelines.
Iconic models of diversity
Now, we have amazing models at the forefront such as supermodel sensation Bella Hadid, Halima Aden (the first hijab-wearing model to walk the NYC catwalks), Anok Yai (the second Black model after Naomi Campbell, to unveil one of Prada’s runway shows), Ugbad Abdi (who represented Michael Kors and Etro), Jill Kortleve (the first Chanel plus-size fashion model to slay the catwalk), and Adut Akech (2019’s model-of-the-year by the British Fashion Council gracing the runway for Alexander McQueen, Givenchy, Marc Jacobs and Prada).
Our modelling agency recognises diversity making it the heart of our work. We celebrate the growth and development of our models from all walks of life and want to support them so that they represent our population. Real models, real people.
