HUMAN

HUMAN

we asked those who felt that their appreance was underrepresented in the fashion industry to join us in this photoshoot & interview

INTERVIEWING THE MODELS

WHAT DOES FASHION MEAN TO YOU?

CLEO: Fashion to me is self-expression and a form of artivism. Throughout the decades, fashion has been thought of as just something that is less important and that it's only for ditsy pretty girls or muscular guys with abs. For me, it's being able to express my personality through the clothes, accessories, makeup, and shoes that I wear. It's an artform that encompasses visual aesthetic, symbolic meaning, and social action.

ANA: Fashion has always been a way for me to express myself but also been a way to keep me creative. It really has opened up the doors for me to grow as a person.

CHELSEA: To me, fashion means expression. It means to have the freedom and flexibility to express who you are through the articles of clothing you choose to wear. There is no limitation in fashion, which is why I love it so much. You can wear whatever makes you comfortable and confident. I believe that fashion is changing in the way that people view it: there is acceptance, understanding, and appreciation that is occurring in the fashion world and it’s all starting by people choosing to step out of what has been viewed as “the norm” for so long.

ROCIO: Fashion to me is a form of art. As an artist myself when I first got into modeling I really thought all I had to do was stand there and look pretty, but I soon found out that was not the case. I started looking at some of the top brands runway shows and seeing how their models were basically wearing art. The more I got into fashion the more I realized that the clothes weren’t just clothes anymore, they were used as a form of expressing something or to make a statement. It was very eye opening and it definitely had its effect on me and my creativity.

Rocio Valenzuela

WHAT DOES DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION IN FASHION MEAN TO YOU?

CLEO: Diversity and inclusion in fashion to me means that everyone, no matter what your background is, should be celebrated and be able to rock this art form! The traditional notions of fashion are so boring and damaging, especially to the minds of kids who don't usually see someone like them on the magazine pages or the runway.

ANA: Diversity and inclusion are a way to stop making the fashion industry closed off to only certain people. Fashion is such a great opportunity for people to truly find something that makes them happy and being more inclusive, it can make them more comfortable to expand and create great things for themselves and the community.

CHELSEA: To me, diversity and inclusion in fashion means being accessible to all types of people. Fashion has no set shape, size, race, gender, or look to it and should involve each individual in their uniqueness.

Chelsea Lang Inclusive fashion is about not setting a limit on what is accepted, represented, and included within the fashion world.

ROCIO: Inclusion & Diversity to myself is not just seeing more models of color on a runway or on the covers of a magazine but the opportunity to further open doors for people in underrepresented communities. I believe having people that come from different backgrounds gives us the opportunity to see the world from a new perspective. Diversity also allows us to become more appreciative and accepting of each other’s differences.

GOING FORWARD, HOW CAN PEOPLE BEST BE ALLIES FOR UNDERREPRESENTED/MISREPRESENTED COMMUNITIES?

CLEO: People can show their alliance by attending events that are held for these communities. If you can't do that, support businesses that are owned by people in these communities. Take the time to understand and educate yourself on the issues that are plaguing them and put your better foot forward by taking action against it. Also, remember the history and context of the different styles and backgrounds of a specific culture's art; remember, there is a huge difference between appropriation and appreciation.

ANA: In the past and even in current times I see many people taking ideas and putting them into their work and not giving credit where credit is due. It usually tends to be underrepresented communities that suffer from this. I believe that including them can give it a whole new meaning that will give them the recognition they deserve and create something very beautiful.

CHELSEA: I think that the only real direction we can go in that will allow us to be allies for underrepresented/misrepresented communities is to let their voices be heard. So often we silence different communities simply because they’re different from us and we haven't heard what they have to say yet. We shut down new concepts, new ideas, and new voices simply because it doesn’t fit what we know or our idea of normal.

ROCIO: The lack of representation, I feel, has not only hurt these communities & the fashion industry but our society as well. I believe educating ourselves on underrepresented/ misrepresented communities would bring more attention to them and be the best way to show solidarity. The more we are able to educate ourselves, the better we can help bring attention and awareness to what these communities may be experiencing and further strengthen them.

Cleo Taurus

IN YOUR OPINION, WHAT IS THE FASHION INDUSTRY (TECHNICALLY SOCIETY AS A WHOLE) MISSING OUT ON BY NOT BEING INCLUSIVE OR SUPPORTING DIVERSITY?

CLEO: Society is missing out on the different kinds of bodies, stories, and individuals out there! People offer so much uniqueness among themselves and there are so many more personalities out there that are just awe-striking!

ANA: They are missing out on great ideas that can become something never seen before. Now you see trends trickling up more often than down because the countless people that were rejected are now making it on their own.

CHELSEA: All in all, the fashion industry is missing out on more consumers, more followers, and more ideas by not being inclusive or supporting diversity. It is giving a false representation of society because it isn’t

showing the full truth: all sides of society, all types of people. Rather, it is only showing the side of society they think people want to see, when in reality, people just want to see more of themselves out in the fashion world.

ROCIO: I think the industry and society as a whole miss out on the opportunity to welcome new ideas and creatives. People that come from different places and backgrounds bring unique experiences with them that can educate or inspire.

LASTLY, FEEL FREE TO ADD OR ADDRESS ANYTHING ELSE RELATING TO THIS TOPIC THAT PERHAPS WAS NOT COVERED IN THE QUESTIONS ABOVE!

CLEO: Thanks to Style Line Magazine for bringing inclusivity and diversity into fashion! Being able to represent a community is very honorable and it means so much!

CHELSEA: In an industry as big as fashion is, why is it picking and choosing who gets to be involved in it?

Chelsea Lang

Beauty standards come straight from the runway. The fashion industry needs to improve their efforts in Diversity & Inclusion because we all belong.

A POEM BY ELISABETH BRADLEY & MARGO HUNTLEY

Humans. Such impressionable and fragile creatures. Looking at billboards, advertisements, and supermodels. Looking inward, suddenly, one feels less beautiful.

Fashion. A masterpiece. Expressive, beautiful. When expressed in the media, the majority feels less beautiful.

Then, there’s the chosen ones. The ones deemed worthy. Worthy of being the first to adorn their bodies with new couture. With their long, tanned legs and perfect complexion, the chosen ones dance down the runway.

The impact. Widely syndicated beauty standards. Humans will compare themselves to the chosen, beautiful ones. It is time to allow all to believe in their beauty. “Perfection” goes beyond the predetermined standards.

“Perfection” is not found in the way that one’s stomach curves inwards at the sides, but instead in the way that lips curve upwards with a smile.

“Perfection” is not found in the way that our thighs don’t touch when we stand, but instead is in the way that we deeply touch others, through love.

“Perfection” is not the soft, flawless skin on a cheek, but one’s ability to make a friend smile after a tough day. “Perfection” relies on perception, and society has taught us that one finds the “right” perception in external features. “Perfection” seeded self doubt for so long that we don’t even realize that our differences are what make us so beautiful. Its time to embrace ourselves. We are human.