In the world of fashion, models have always been under the microscope. All too often, they’re forced to adhere to mainstream standards of beauty – but that is starting to change. Models are beginning to embrace their unique features and it’s rocking the runway! From different body shapes to varying skin color tones, these models are inspiring generations of people to love their beauty, no matter what they look like.
1. All Sizes Welcome: Models Embracing Their Unique Bodies on the Runway
The fashion industry has taken great strides in becoming more inclusive and accepting. Runway models are no longer confined to a certain body shape or size – it’s become perfectly acceptable for models of all shapes and sizes to grace these catwalks with their presence. Furthermore, the body acceptance message they’re sending is both inspiring and refreshing.
As short, tall, curvy, plus, petite and even models with disabilities become increasingly visible on the runway, the diversity among models is no longer questioned. From New York to Paris, fashion brands have embraced this wave of understanding and are now celebrating a mix of different body types on the runway.
- From the petite to the plus-sized, more inclusive sizing has become the norm. Gone are the days when designers would only focus on a select few models. We’re now seeing more diversity on the runways, leading to more diversity in clothing as well.
- Inclusion of disabilities is a significant step forward since early fashion shows barely featured models with disabilities. We’re now seeing stunning models with disabilities flaunting their bodies on the runways around the world, opening the minds of an industry that, for too long, has been overlooking such a large segment of society.
- Models embracing their body types. It’s popular to see models showing off their unique features and just being themselves on the runway. This open-mindness that models are showing inspires self-confidence amongst young women, and positively influences how they perceive their own bodies.
As a larger variety of models from diverse backgrounds become visible in the fashion world, it’s a reflection of that same inclusivity being seen in the world at large. From the concept of body acceptance to advocacy for plus-sized models, the fashion industry is leading the way in the right direction.
2. Normalizing Diversity: Celebrating Different Body Types in the Fashion Industry
The fashion industry has traditionally dominated the standards of ‘what is beautiful,’ enforcing unrealistic body ideals upon those it aims to serve. But thankfully, as conversations about diversity and inclusivity increase, the same ideals are shifting to an appreciation of all shapes and sizes. Here are a few ways in which the industry is normalizing and celebrating diverse body types:
- More size-inclusive fashion: Asia-based and other online stores have become increasingly size-inclusive by introducing collections of clothes specifically for larger sizes. By providing extended sizes of fashionable clothing, these stores are offering the chance to dress stylishly regardless of body shape.
- Celebrities promoting body positivity: From Ashley Graham to Tess Holliday, more and more celebrities are embracing their bodies and their curves, creating a positive message to young people, in particular, that all body types should be celebrated.
- Campaigns aiming to promote diversity: Speaking of influencers, there seems to be an upswell of campaigns dedicated to helping redefine the status quo when it comes to body image. Brands such as Universal Standard and ModCloth are championing size-inclusive fashion in the forms of campaigns like “The New 05” and the #ModClothSquad respectively. These campaigns are celebrating diverse body types from across the spectrum.
The fashion industry is slowly realizing that beauty exists in all body shapes and sizes, and this is something that all of us should celebrate. No one should feel left out and different – rather, we should all be proud of our uniqueness and seek to promote more diverse messages throughout the industry.
3. The Power of Self-Acceptance: How Models are Rocking the Runway
In a fashion world filled with strict beauty standards, models have the potential to be strong advocates for self-acceptance. Runways are often seen as a visual representation of our society’s ideals for physical beauty, with models toting around thin physiques and seemingly perfect features. But recently, models have been taking a stand and proving that they can be so much more than just a physical representation of society’s ideal.
From embracing body positivity to representing “difficult” hair types, modern models have been showing us how powerful self-acceptance can be in personal self-confidence and creating meaningful change in the fashion industry. For example, Body positive models like Paloma Elesser, Barbie Ferreira and Alexina Graham have taken to the runway demonstrating that body shape should not be a conformist criterion in fashion.
- Paloma Elesser has made history with her appearances in multiple runways, being the first plus-sized model to open a show for Prabal Gurung.
- Barbie Ferreira has been a strong advocate for body positivity in the fashion industry, proving how beauty can be in any shape or size.
- Alexina Graham has used her platform as a runway model to create an actual change in the industry. She has also spoken out about how every body should be represented, not just one type.
Authentic representation on the runway has the potential to take away the powerful idealization of one specific body type, and instead demonstrate how fashion is available for all. It’s now up to brands and designers to take a stance, embrace each body type and create meaningful change in the fashion industry.
4. No Shame in Being Unique: How Models are Reclaiming their Identities
The modeling industry is becoming ever more inclusive, with a diverse range of models reclaiming their identities and embracing their uniqueness. Models are now pushing back against the typical stereotypes, determined to redefine what it means to be beautiful.
- Challenging the Status Quo – Models are no longer just seen as “perfect” – they are challenging the conventional standards of beauty.
- Celebrating Diversity – Diverse ethnicities, body shapes, sizes and age ranges are now being celebrated and embraced in the modeling industry.
- Championing Individuality – Models are celebrating their unique features, rather than conforming with unrealistic expectations of “perfection”.
The modelling industry is fast waking up to this new reality, with more and more campaigns featuring models who embrace their individuality. Major retailers such as ASOS are collaborating with brands such as Gucci and Prada to promote ‘diverse beauty’, rather than one-dimensional stereotypes. Models are no longer just seen as mannequins – they are proudly showing their true selves.
The industry is also encouraging models to speak out about their experiences and tell their stories. In a world full of superficial beauty ideals, models are reclaiming their identities and standing up for what they believe in. They are proving that there is no shame in being unique – and that is a message worth spreading.
5. Liberation Through Fashion: Opening Doors for Body Diversity in the Industry
Fashion has been used as an effective tool for empowerment and liberation, particularly in recent years. People from all walks of life have been increasingly using garments as a means to express their identities and celebrate their body diversity.
Clothing as a way to empower: Clothes and fashion can be used as a powerful way to celebrate the self and one’s body. It’s an expression of self-love and helps one to feel liberated in their own skin. When people are able to identify with clothes and fashion that resonates with their identity and values, it can have a profound impact on their self-confidence and help them to achieve acceptance and affirmation.
Inclusivity and body diversity: As the fashion industry has become more inclusive and more aware of people from all body types and backgrounds, it has opened the doors to greater flexibility and acceptance. There is a growing movement of body-positive models and fashion brands that are leading the way by catering to different body types and sizes—including plus-size, petite, and even gender-neutral fashion. This has widened the scope of the fashion industry, allowing for a more diverse representation of people within it.
Celebrating diversity, brands and designers are attempting to create an environment that is more welcoming and inclusive. They can showcase a variety of different body types in their fashion campaigns and collections, and they can do their part in raising awareness and inspiring body positivity. All of this can help to create a more positive and self-affirming culture in the world of fashion — one that celebrates all different shapes, sizes, and backgrounds.
Their embrace of their own body shapes encourages more self-love and optimism throughout the modelling industry – and beyond that, into everyday life. It’s by celebrating ourselves, flaws and all, that we will empower each other and become a more inclusive culture. Runway models are not here to copy the perfect ‘ideal’ body shape anymore – they’re here to rock the runway for everyone.
