February 2017
Celebrating the strands that make us stand out.
The RoleModel Issue
About Fibre Just as a garment is made of more than one fibre, our fashion industry should represent more than one body. Fibre Magazine celebrates the people who rise above society’s ideals and sew their own story. In this issue we will be exploring the importance of rolemodels in our community, applauding those who not only embrace their differences but use them to empower and inspire others.
"To me, there is nothing more beautiful than a person celebrating their true self."
Open Casting Call: Role Models Not Runway Models 2016 was host to the ‘most diverse month in fashion history’. Will 2017 be the year that society demands a lasting change? “Be individual.” Chances are, this is a phrase you’ll have heard since you were young. Reiterated through our parents to our teachers, employees to employers, this statement has been embedded in our brains. But when will this message ring true with the fashion industry? From creative directors at large to each of us sitting at home reading this magazine, a change can only come when it is called for. Is 2017 the year that we find our voice? In a world where fashion and the media have the power to shape millions of impressionable minds, fashion has the potential to be a catalyst for change. Yet so far we have only seen glimmers of hope on the catwalk. It seems we have lost sight of what it means to be ourselves. We sat by and documented the moment Paralympian Aimee Mullins walked for Alexander McQueen wearing beautifully hand carved wooden legs in 1998. We witnessed the day Danielle Sheypuk became the first model in a wheelchair to grace New York Fashion Week in 2015. Each year we are seeing more and more diversity on the catwalk.
media too”. Harnessing her experience with alopecia in the last year, Michelle is working to improve the confidence and self esteem of young girls with alopecia. “If hair loss was featured more in popular fashion magazines and campaigns, it would — without a doubt — be seen as more acceptable and make the journey for people that bit easier,” urges Michelle. “I never chose my hair loss, but why should I hide to fit in with societal norms? Let us show bald women like me, curvy people, people aesthetically different from the images we are used to and come to expect! Whether patchy skin colouring like vitiligo, or bald as an egg like me with my alopecia, we need to show every body and have us all feel accepted.”
As with a garment, one size does not fit all, so when will we see a catwalk as diverse as the population? It seems odd to me that fashion brands are yet to embrace this, when you think about the impact that it could have on self confidence amongst society, not to mention their label’s popularity. “When you don’t see yourself reflected on the catwalk, it can be really damaging. It is crazy that when you feel like you are recognised, when The Fashion Spot announced SS17 the ‘most diverse you see people who look like you in these realms, month in fashion history’ in it’s biannual diversity report. it opens up a whole new possibility in your mind” So I ask, why is a model with a disability or a feature confesses Chromat’s designer, Becca McCharen. that makes them visibly different still breaking news in the fashion world? Designer Christian Siriano declared, Chromat is a lingerie and swimwear brand paving “It shouldn’t be exceptional to work with brilliant people the way for the fashion world. Designed as a canvas just because they’re not sample size... Congrats aren’t in for confidence, Chromat’s clothes are made for the order, a change is.” I whole heartedly agree. It’s time that unapologetic and fearless woman, and their casting we saw diversity as the norm, not a news story. revolves around the personality of the model. In the past they have included women with different While it’s all well and good saying this, we need to take ethnicities, trans-women and amputee models in their matters into our own hands. I spoke with the inspiring shows. “Chromat women are doing amazing things in and motivating Michelle Moffatt, an active member of all different fields and come from all different places. Alopecia UK and blogger for Simply Wigs. “Beauty We wanted to take the opportunity to celebrate those is multi-faceted and instead of just hearing that it is ok women and have them reflected in our runway show.” to be different, we should see that in fashion and the Enthused McCharen.
Despite it’s narrow-minded reputation, the media is beginning to see that models for more than just ‘clothes hangers’. Models have the power to shape the ideas of a generation. They have the potential to influence worldwide trends. And now more than ever before, models have a platform to communicate their voices. With the ever-growing presence of social media, not only can they be seen but they can interact with the masses. Surely brands should be taking the opportunity to choose models who can act as a role model and inspire as many of society as possible? Refusing to accept models who don’t fit societies ideal beauty standards is narrowing a brands potential. Talking to aspiring designer, Lyndon Longhorne, a Paralympian, model, and spokesperson for Meningitis UK, has reassured me that the attitudes of the next generation of models and designers can hold potential for the future of fashion. “Let’s get more diverse models on the catwalk or on a campaign and it will start opening people’s eyes. It will give people more self belief.” Lyndon is creating a sportswear brand designed for both able and disabled wearers, in the hope that he can bridge the gap created by fashion and society. From role model to real life model, Lyndon wants to unite people through one fundamental need, that everyone needs clothing. His brand embodies the concept of inner strength and that our appearances don’t define us. “We’re more about ability than disability” Lyndon reveals. As an industry that inspires and influences thousands of young people, the fashion world should be acting as a role model for society empowering the next generation to bring diversity to all aspects of culture. It’s trailblazers like Lyndon and Michelle who are forging a future more inclusive for all. Taking a leaf out of their book, we need to break down the barriers that restrict individuality and celebrate our own uniqueness. As Aimee Mullins famously said, “It is our humanity, and all the potential within it that makes us beautiful.”
“Beauty is multi-faceted and instead of just hearing that it is ok to be different, we
should see that in fashion and the media too”
The RoleModel Issue