Angel Sinclair, founder of Models of Diversity
Can you tell me a bit about yourself?
I'm a mother of four and grandmother of three. I have retired from modelling now and have since done volunteer work counselling victims of domestic violence. (Angel Sinclair pictured left)
Why did you decide to set up Models of Diversity (MoD)?
I appeared in Gok's Miss Naked Beauty in 2008 which highlighted the lack of diversity within the fashion industry compared with the great variety of beautiful women participating in the show. I decided then to make a difference in the fashion industry and make sure that women of all colour, shapes, ages and abilities are represented.
What does MoD do to help models who are “diverse” and how do you raise awareness about inequality and discrimination in the media?
It's mainly about raising awareness with fashion shows, photo shoots and street surveys. We also give a platform to models you wouldn't usually see; we offer them opportunities that are normally closed to them.
Has MoD worked with people with disabilities?
Kelly Knox was our first disabled model and she has since gone on to lead a successful modelling career. We make sure that we include models with disabilities in our fashion shows and I was very happy to see our Faye Povey appear on the catwalk at Liverpool Fashion Week. I was also very excited about our billboard in Holborn which featured a disabled model to promote awareness about models of diversity.
Since you started campaigning for change in 2008, has the fashion and modelling industry made any attempt to diversify its image?
Change is very slow. The greatest change we have seen has probably been in the use of plus size models by Ralph Lauren and Ann Summers now, and there is more understanding about the issues surrounding “size-zero” culture. But we still rarely see models with disabilities in the mainstream media.
You described on your website that catwalks, glossy magazines and advertising seem to believe that only “a narrow range of ages, races, shapes and abilities are marketable” – why do you think this perception of beauty exists and why is it wrong?
I suspect that despite the industry wanting to present itself as modern and leading change with regards to design, it is very conservative and risk averse culturally, and therefore reluctant to change in this respect. When we have held street surveys, it is obvious that the public is open to seeing diverse beauty in the media, but the industry lags behind.
Do these “perfect” models convey misleading messages, especially to young people?
Everyone has a different idea of beauty so to present such a narrow range of physical types and call them “perfect” is just wrong. But worse than that, it can give the message that unless you look this way you have no hope of being considered beautiful, you are a failure, which is very damaging and this perception is an unrealistic goal. Most women will never be able to have the same figure as the women on the catwalk, but they shouldn’t be disregarded regardless. For young people trying to establish their identity and nurture self-confidence, these “idealistic” images can be especially harmful.
How important do you think it is to represent everybody’s shape, size, colour and ability in the media?
Failure to represent the population in the media leads to alienation. That's bad for the consumer but bad for the media too if they want to maximise their audience.
Do you feel the barriers are mainly cultural, or are you aware of any physical barriers that make modelling inaccessible and off-putting for people who are for example disabled?
I think the barriers are mainly cultural. In my experience, if it's known at a model casting that, for example wheelchair access is required it will always be provided but this puts the onus on the model.
In what ways do you feel MoD improves the quality of life for models of diversity, and the quality of our society?
Although we're not a household name yet, the campaign is growing steadily and we are well known in the industry. I would like to think that every time we hold a show or appear in a magazine, it gives all kinds of models the confidence to pursue a career and makes the industry more open to using a more diverse range of models.
Does MoD get any support from fundraising bodies and similar campaigns?
No. When we hold specific events we do get support from designers and some sponsorship, but we rely heavily on the good will of professionals in the industry and volunteers giving up their time.
What are your plans for the future of MoD?
Our next fashion show will feature mature models. We also hope to broaden our presence abroad, particularly in the USA.
To learn more about Models of Diversity see their website
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by HELEN ROBINSON on
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Hi
Has anyone else seen a theme here?
I am in a wheelchair and have had to resort to buying very unflattering clothes from mail order and then cutting them up to make adjusted patterns asking friends to then pin on and cut out of my purchased material to enable me to sew and then to wear more flattering and more importantly easy to dress clothes.. Buttonhole elastic is a god send when you have to be dressed using a roll method and then have to use a transfer board to access your wheelchair those who take part in this ritual will know that the big clothes needed for the first part usually fall down during the second part yet with an adjustment of buttonhole elastic trouser or skirt stay in place This sounds very trivial but when repeated every day makes a huge difference!
next was I the only person puzzled why no clothing on show at naidex very disappointing as by the time you go to visit this show you probably have a bed ,chair,mobility bathing, sorted however basic but clothes? Where were they?
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Permalink Reply by Vicky Karakosta on
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Hi Helen,
You are right, Naidex was quite disappointing in terms of clothing items. Being a part of the Naidex team there in Birmingham I can tell you for sure that it was something we noticed as well.
I did some research and found some websites that make adaptive clothing items and clothes for people with disabilities.
One of the website I found really interesting was http://www.xenicollection.com
They have some nice dresses for fancy occassions. One I really liked was http://www.xenicollection.com/uploads/product/product_81.jpg
I think the blue is a really summery colour
!
Also these other websites:
http://www.wheeliechix-chic.com/
http://www.legawear.com/index/ourclothes
I hope this is of help and you will find some nice items there.
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Thanks for the info I have bought a dress that I think will look great as a top
Cant wait till the postman arrives...its great when we can all work together!
I am really pleased that the lack of clothes has been noticed and hopefully if suppliers can see these requests they might just take a chance and bee there! Reading the email from Elizabeth I am going to write to debenhams and ask/suggest that their personal shoppers get some, however basic training in fitting a wheelchair user customer!I too bought a dress from them for a wedding and felt great when wearing it with all the accessories we chose together.
Many thanks
Helen
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Hi, it is really encouraging to see some positive things from mainstream shops. I know this is not easy and very much hope if we keep on going more and more shops will assist. With my son I usually purchase old and tested sizes, hope for the best and work on the premise I can always take it back. This is not easy and often leads to disappointment for him. I have however put together a directory of resources so at least you can see as many providers of clothing as I have managed to find. I have also found 2 specialist wedding providers. Please take a look and I hope it will be helpful. The site can be found at www.totallyyours.co.uk. I'll check out the other suggestions so hopefully the pages will be comprehensive.
Kind regards
Janet
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Permalink Reply by DisabledGear.com on
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I have been at the Mobility Roadshow for the last three years and will be there again this year (2013). I would have loved to attend more exhibitions but the cost of a stand is prohibitive. I don't charge a huge mark up, so there just aren't the funds for exhibiting everywhere. Most clothing retailers will have a reasonable policy on refunds and exchanges which make trying clothes on at home easy.
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I hope to be wandering around so will pop by and say hello Guy
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Great : )
I'll be with all the other Kandu Network people: http://disabledgear.com/pages/founder-members-of-the-kandu-group-di...
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Good to see all this positive publicity. Bit by bit I feel that efforts are normalising disability in the mainstream - which serves to take away the fear-of-the-unknown-factor and therefore ignorance and prejudices. Progress is slow but inevitable thanks to the good work of many.
There is a growing number of disabled people who also wish to address the issue of clothing for people with disabilities. Have a read of this information page for some useful links:
http://disabledgear.com/pages/fashion-clothing-for-people-with-disa...
Essentially it's about having the same mainstream choice for people who don't fit the "average size and needs" box.
Best wishes
Guy
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Lots of men ask me about Formal Wear in a wheelchair - suits, smart trousers for weddings, etc.. - and previously I have directed them elsewhere. Now Rollitex have started to produce these items of clothing. www.rollitex.co.uk should launch by the end of June 2013, at which point the contemporary choice will be huge and exciting!
If you have any questions in the meantime, please do ask!
<info (at) disabledgear (dot) com> (sorry: anti-spambots!)
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Hello
My daughter is also getting married this year and although not fully disabled I have a problem standing and walking so shopping is difficult and I do most of it online. My daughter lives in Glasgow and booked me an appointment with a personal shopper in Debenhams. I also borrowed a mobility scooter in St Enoch's Centre and off we went. The personal shopper was marvelous and brought me lots of different clothes to try on so I came away delighted with a beautiful top to toe outfit and I would recommend this to anyone.
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Permalink Reply by Linda Jane McLean on
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When I was first involved in buying clothes for wheelchair users, there used to be a special tailor, who did bespoke measurements for people with disabilities. It was not quite as cheap as off the peg, but extremely comfortable to wear and not too expensive. With the neat fit, you really felt very different.
For some reason, these tailors are no longer being trained, as far as I can ascertain. If you know differently, please tell me! It was Burton's I think, that had the service in the 80's. When the tailor told me that he would no longer be doing bespoke measuring for disabilities,, I asked why. He said that there was no demand for it.
Personally, I don't think the service was ever properly advertised. because, even going to the top tailors cannot achieve the effect that this specially trained guy had. A great miss to the world of disability.
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http://www.rollitex.co.uk is now LIVE! and they have a 20% Launch discount until midnight (UK time) on Sunday 10th November 13. To take advantage of this enter voucher code <SHARETHELOVE> in basket before you checkout.
They sell premium brand wheelchair jeans (same fabrics and factories as Pepe, Diesel, True Religion, etc..) and lots else besides including formal wear, linen trousers, shorts, winter lined jeans and cords.
Have a look for yourself!
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