FASHION
TO BE A TRAILBLAZER She’s challenging the system and changing the game. Get to know Mahalia Handley. By BETHAN WARRIOR
SARAH BOLT
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t’s no secret the fashion landscape is life. “I’m mixed-race, first-generation, plus size, shifting. The last few years alone have and I’m from The Territory. I’m someone who seen extraordinary change across multiple can’t keep quiet about seeing the wrong thing factions including that of sustainability, happening, it breaks my heart and equally ignites ethics and diversity. One woman a fire within.” Over ten years into who is blazing a path for the latter is her successful modelling career, “WE NEED Australian model, activist, and creative Mahalia decided she couldn’t ignore MORE DIVERSE director Mahalia Handley. This year, PROTAGONISTS TO the inequalities of the industry and it she’s made history as the first curve, was her fiery passion for inclusivity SHOW THE NEXT BIPOC, and first-generation Australian GENERATION THAT that led her to become the face of model to talk on a panel at fashion THEIR VALUE IS NOT multiple social change campaigns week. She was also named one of WEIGHED AGAINST such as #Shine4Diversity and the Afterpay Australian Fashion Week’s WHERE THEY ARE #ChangeThePicture initiative. Mahalia 2021 Change Makers – a select group FROM, THEIR SIZE notes, “I feel I’ve learnt how to use of industry professionals shaping the both my failings and strengths to help OR ETHNICITY.” future of fashion. initiate change for myself and those Representation and diversity are who do not have the same platform I the cornerstones of Mahalia’s message, and she do. To recognise yourself in someone is powerful, says she has dealt with discrimination her entire it is comforting, it brings unity,” she says. SEPTEMBER 2021
When it comes to how Mahalia sees the industry evolving, she talks of equal representation in all forms of fashion content, as well as a fair ratio of internal staffing. She discusses the centralisation of our major cities and believes better outreach programs will aid the discovery of the diaspora of talented creatives we have nationwide. “My vision for the future will be a journey that’s for sure. One that I believe could help heal our nation and it involves a lot of reformation. New policies and laws, new procedures, renaming ceremonies, integration of Indigenous perspectives, and new initiatives,” she says. As the industry continues to make strides, we’ll be looking to the likes of Mahalia as she forges her path as a profound change maker. MORE MODEL ACTIVIST MOMENTS HERE @MAHALIAFROMAUSTRALIA REPRESENTED BY @VIVIENSMODELMGMT
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