Where are the models of color? The larger models? The shorter models? The models with a disability? The older models? “We’re here. We’re there. We’re everywhere,” says Angel Sinclair, founder of Models of Diversity. “And we’re here to stay.”
Based in London, Models of Diversity is an international campaign for more diversity in the advertising we see every day. “We call on the beauty and marketing industries to recognize people of all races, ages, shapes, sizes and abilities. Our mission is to change the face of fashion.”
Angel, a former model herself, founded the campaign in 2008. “We know from our surveys that the public is in favor of more diversity, so our ambition is to change how the fashion industry thinks and responds to the needs of all the fashion-buying public.” Her site is www.modelsofdiversity.org. You can follow her on Twitter @modsofdiversity. Join the conversation at www.getboldtoday.com.
Models have always been thin and tall, for a reason: That body type works with all clothing. A woman who is a size 8 might look great in person in some clothing styles, but is apt to look dumpy in certain other styles. And photography adds weight. A short woman, even if model-thin, will look overpowered by some styles–and her clothes will need extensive alterations because garment shoulders will be too wide, sleeves too long, waists and hemlines too long. Women who are not model-thin are more likely to have figure distortions– bulges, rolls– it isn’t just that they are larger; they are more likely to be out of proportion. And, have cellulite. Models are young for a reason. Older women, unless they get cosmetic surgery, even if they’re model-thin, will have wrinkled face, flabby arms, sagging breasts, sagging belly, thick waist, flat wrinkled sagging butt and wrinkly legs. A model’s job is to showcase the products to their best advantage so that they will sell well. This end is best served by young, thin, tall models.
Angel Sinclair has bravely started a campaign for the fashion industry to recognize the need for diversity in fashion . She fights for Models of Diversity with a passion and conviction ! Those of us who didn’t have a voice before now do because of her !