Rife with criticism and rivalry, the modeling industry isn’t exactly the easiest place for an unconventional beauty to blossom. But that hasn’t stopped these models from trying to succeed.
Text: Atika Lim
With the highest rate of cosmetic surgeries in the world, South Korea’s beauty standards can be a little extreme but that’s never stopped Vivian Geeyang Kim.
Vivian has long challenged society’s idealistic beauty standards and championed for body equality through her magazine, 66100.
A former marine in Afghanistan, Alex Minsky lost his leg after a truck he was in ran over an explosive.
Depite the accident, Alex pushed through and started visiting the gym to work on his fitness. Coincidentally, this was also where he was scouted.
Since then, the model has appeared in the likes of GQ Magazine and walked for Mercedes Benz Fashion week.
Having appeared in magazines like Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar and Glamour, Ashley Graham is actually a familiar face in the industry.
However, it was only from her recent cover in Sports Illustrated that the plus-sized model really got people to stand up and take note of her.
The model often visits schools in her home town to give talks on body acceptance.
Despite growing up in a predominantly African-American neighbourhood, Diandra was constantly derided for her looks. Thankfully, her parents moved the family to New York where she was scouted and eventually signed to Elite Models.
Soon after, her popularity grew and Diandra has since modeled for MAC and Vivienne Westwood.
Perhaps the most well-know model with vitiligo, Winnie Harlow gained publicity as a contestant on America’s Next Top Model.
After placing sixth in the show, Winnie was selected by Spanish fashion label, Desigual, that eventually exposed her to a wider audience. Since then, her popularity has grown.