Models Who Have Changed Mainstream Beauty Ideals

1 / 10

Ashley Graham

Ashley Graham first made her appearance at just 12 years old! Signing on to Ford Models, Graham quickly became a beacon of body positivity, and really gained some traction when she appeared on a Sports Illustrated cover in 2016, making her the first plus-sized model to land the cover!

2 / 10

Winnie Harlow

Winnie Harlow made waves when she first appeared on America's Next Top Model! This now-supermodel has continued to rock the fashion world! Opening up about her condition, Harlow has never shied away from the fact that having vitiligo presented some major challenges growing up. Being bullied throughout her schooling career, Harlow admitted that she always suffered from a lack of self-confidence, but as she grew older, her unique look has actually proved more helpful in the modelling world, setting her apart from the average girl!

3 / 10

Andreja Pejic walks the red carpet ahead of the 'The Girl In The Spider's Web' screening during the 13th Rome Film Fest.

Andreja Pejić

There's no denying that Andreja Pejić is one beautiful model! What's special about her is more than just her beauty though! Pejić is transgender, and is the first trans woman to be featured in Vogue magazine, and also the first trans woman to land a major beauty campaign, being the face of the quality makeup brand, Make Up Forever.

4 / 10

Stefania Ferrario

Stefania Ferrario is more than just a pretty face! This model has landed herself a lingerie campaign with none other than Dita Von Teese and has been spearheading the #DropThePlus movement, hoping to change the way we view women in the industry. Being very vocal about being a size 8, Ferrario is hoping to change the narrative, hoping one day models can be models, with no added labels to it.

5 / 10

Madeline Stuart

The fashion industry has been criticized before for being very obviously ableist, but Madeline Stuart is here to change that! Having down-syndrome can't be easy, but Stuart keeps rocking the runway anyways, proving to the world that if you want it bad enough, nothing can stop you!

6 / 10

Hari Nef

Another pioneer of the transgender community is Hari Nef! This beautiful woman is making a storm in the fashion world, being the first openly trans woman to be signed on with IMG Models, a high-profile modelling company with the likes of Bella and Gigi Hadid.

7 / 10

Iris Apfel

This model is one you can't forget! Iris Apfel is the oldest model to be featured in a major campaign, stealing the spotlight from Karli Kloss in 2015 during their Kate Spade Spring fashion ad. Not only is Apfel modelling, but she's also renowned in the fashion world for being a major style icon!

8 / 10

Tess Holliday

Tess Holliday has had to deal with some nasty comments from modelling agencies in regards to her weight, but Holliday is having the last laugh! Not only has she been featured in Vogue Italia, but she's also the first plus-sized model to get a contract with a major agency, Milk Model Management.

9 / 10

Sebastian Rosemarie

Sebastian Rosemarie has worked hard at making a name for themselves, and has been widely successful! Thus far, Rosemarie has walked in some major runways, including the high fashion brand Moschino. Being non-binary, Rosemarie focuses on creating space for more inclusivity in the fashion world, pushing for high-fashion brands to consider more androgynous looks.

10 / 10

Aweng Chuol

Lastly, Aweng Chuol, a model up and coming according to Teen Vogue, has taken her activism to the runways! Pushing for the world of fashion to be more sustainable, Chuol has also shared that she wants to curate a narrative around embracing every part of you. Her beauty is unmeasured, and Chuol reveals that in the past, her melanated skin and some scarring on her face has been a roadblock, but her dedication and love for the fashion world has allowed her to break out of the box agencies put her in, and rock the fashion world one runway at a time!

For as long as many can remember, the fashion world hasn't been known as an inclusive industry. Unattainable beauty standards, the perpetuation of unhealthy weights, and primarily caucasian faces at the head of campaigns, many were, and still are, critical of the multi-billion dollar industry. Now, as the world is progressing forward, it's only natural that fashion should progress with us.

Models Who Have Changed Mainstream Beauty Ideals

Among the many faces of the changing fashion world sits a supermodel and TV personality, Winnie Harlow! Harlow has vitiligo, a condition in which pigments throughout her skin do not contain melanin. Harlow is challenging the once-ableist industry and taking runways by storm!

Scroll through the gallery above to see what other models have challenged the status quo!

Enjoy!