7 models bringing diversity and inclusion to the fashion world, from Winnie Harlow’s vitiligo and trans Andreja Pejić to Sofia Jirau – the first Victoria’s Secret model with Down syndrome
- Puerto Rico’s Jirau became the first Victoria’s Secret model with Down syndrome as the brand commits ‘to welcome and celebrate all women’
- Tyra Banks discovered Harlow, who has vitiligo, while Graham was the first plus-sized model to grace Sports Illustrated’s Swimsuit Issue, smashing fashion’s typical beauty standards
It’s commonly understood that beauty standards come and go. Like a constant ebb and flow, societal notions of what is considered beautiful shift from generation to generation. A striking and well-dressed lady of the 1950s could easily be judged as matronly or dowdy in 2022.
While much has certainly evolved over the years, it has felt for some time that the fashion industry was laser focused on showcasing a singular specific model profile. Tall, slim, unblemished and fair-skinned, models and supermodels over the past half-century have mostly appeared to conform to one specific mould. This has often led to many groups and cultures of the global population feeling snubbed, unrepresented and excluded from the couture conversation.
The following are just seven of the most inspiring and stunning supermodels who have challenged outdated societal standards and brought a more inclusive and representative feel to the fashion industry.
1. Sofia Jirau
Recently making global headlines, Sofia Jirau is the 24-year-old Puerto Rican model with Down syndrome who has been featured in the Victoria’s Secret Love Cloud Collection campaign.
