Models of Diversity, the charity that campaigns for more diversity in the fashion, beauty and media industry, have teamed up with acclaimed photographer Diana Vartanova of Still Miracle and Enfield’s The Boutique to highlight the lack of diversity within the industry. Using models with a range of disabilities including alopecia, limb loss and mental health, they prove that all brides and all bodies are beautiful.

For too long we’ve all received similar programming about what a bride looks like, with the mainstream industry often only speaking to an image of bridal beauty based on what society deems beautiful — so what happens when the image of beauty and desirability never looks like you? After speaking to our followers, we found navigating the wedding process without seeing yourself represented can have a damaging effect on self-esteem and, at times, make it incredibly difficult to accept your own body. It became obvious to us that minority groups needed to be represented fairly, rather than being left feeling ‘invisible’.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 15% of people have some form of disability, forming the world’s largest minority community. It’s also the only minority community that anyone can potentially become part of at any point in their life. And yet, when it comes to all things wedding, customers with physical disabilities are neglected with disabled models rarely seen in bridal magazines, marketing or catwalks.

Why? Angel Sinclair of MOD puts this down to the misguided notion that people with disabilities somehow are not able to live full lives. However, we know this to be wrong: the rise of social media has had a positive affect on the inclusion of disability and how individuals show themselves. Regardless of the positive and progressive changes the fashion industry has been making lately in terms of diversity, sustainability, and inclusion, the wedding industry still falls short.

With a beautiful campaign using established models and top international designer dresses, Models of Diversity hope to provide a platform for people with disabilities to become more visible and change the perception of people with disabilities.

The Models of Diversity

Rae

I am an experienced mixed race model with mobility and neurological difficulties, so I understand the importance of representation and inclusion. In 2013 I was diagnosed with functionary neurological paralysis. It is completely unpredictable and I can suffer bouts where I am entirely paralyzed. I originally worked as a professional dancer, but since my diagnosis I have turned my hand to directing, writing and singing.

Yasmin

Representation is so important to me as I’ve had alopecia since the age of 15 and I lost all of my hair just before I turned 20. Back then there were no models that I knew of who had alopecia and it was very rare to see a bald female walking down the runway, on the tv or in magazines. MOD is what I needed whilst growing up with alopecia - people that looked different to others but similar to me, people I could of looked up to, people who I could of related to. MOD provides a platform for those who are underrepresented and makes them feel seen.

Charley

Almost every girl dreams about her wedding day. But when I became disabled, my mindset around weddings changed. Not only did I feel unloveable, but when I saw images of beautiful weddings, I never saw myself in those brides. I have been disabled for around 10 years now, and have been a full time wheelchair user for 6 of those. I live with a condition called Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, which is a connective tissue disorder that causes multi systemic issues and co-morbid conditions. For me, most notably, I my mobility is severely affected due to hip dislocations and autonomic issues. The thought of being visibly disabled on my wedding day is something I was not comfortable with, so getting married was something that I stopped thinking about. As I became more comfortable with my disabled identity, I became passionate about normalising disability. The opportunity to do this shoot was such an important moment for me. I want other disabled people to see this the result of this shoot, and feel seen and represented.

Find out more

Images and interviews with everyone taking part in the campaign are available from Models of Diversity. If you would like to know more, please contact Marie to show your interest:
07561 562 013
office@modelsofdiversity.org