#IAmAllWomen - Where The modelling Industry Stands

Empowered. That is where the modelling industry stands. The #IAmAllWomen movement aims to shift the relentless categorising of women, because lets be honest; How often do you see models of different races, ages, weights, and shapes working together on the same shoot? Yes the industry is becoming less inclusive; From curve models being on the cover of sports illustrated to leading brands such as H&M creating diverse catwalk, however you aren't likely to see a size 6 and 18 on the same campaign are you?  The All Woman Project is an editorial, video, and social media project designed to challenge preconceived notions. The campaign features an array of models of all shapes, sizes, and ethnicity posing together with the Instagram-friendly #IAmAllWoman hashtag sprawled across each photo. Fronted by Charli Howard, a British model who made headlines when her agency dropped her for being too heavy at size 2 (there was a lot of F**K you's in her open letter to the industry) The unretouched shots could easily be mistaken for an underwear or denim ad similar to the white shirt shots of the nineties—and that’s the point. In an interview with Vogue online Howard stated, “We couldn’t understand why straight and plus-size models aren’t featured together more in shoots and campaigns,” says Howard. “As a consumer, you deserve to look at a fashion image and see yourself represented, not just a row of skinny Caucasian girls, but a variety of sizes and colours.” 

When talking to our IMM Models we discuss the categories the industry is broken into In the fashion industry, women are divided into two categories. 1) unimaginably skinny (read: good, inspirational, thigh-gap galore) 2.) plus size (read: fat. Most are just over a size 12, or two sizes smaller than the UK's average woman.) Anything else is regarded as non existent, and both categories are almost always white; just look at which models topped the Forbes most paid list. Those behind the campaign are questioning why the industry continoulsy associates beauty with a size, or putting women into categories because of their size, colour or sexuality. Being  a curve model means throughout the years before the 'plus size' model came to the forefront many involved in the project were victims of hateful comments and body-shaming for Desseaux in particular the impact of representation was paramount. “We grew up uneasy with our bodies and thinking that we had to change them to make them better,” she says. “We wanted to show that we’re beyond what the media is saying—we are all beautiful, all worthy, and all women.” It was crucial. 

Selecting the models who would embody this message was also crucial. Plus-size models like Iskra Lawrence, Denise Bidot, and Barbie Ferreira—all of whom are featured in the campaign—have spoken about their relationship with their bodies in the past, but for some of the thinner models such candour was new territory. “Finding skinnier models who spoke up about body positivity was tricky"; An interesting  comment and is there perhaps a conflict beginning to rise, it is evident that body shaming has until 2016 been harshly directed at plus size individuals however are the tables beginning to turn? Without intending to be cruel; the amount of posts now saying 'Men love Curves not bones' and that Gucci campaign being banned for models being to thin however many will argue there was no right in taking down Tess Holliday's lingerie shot - is there a new target in modelling? 

However this campaign is not here to divide women but to celebrate women. So why not get involved? The final piece shot by dream team Heather Hazzan and Lily Cummings is set to premier Pre New York Fashion Week and you can get involved. The stars of the video are asking women to upload their own content and inspirational messages via the #IAmAllWoman hashtag; It is possible to make this world a better place. We can accomplish so much by just believing in ourselves. We just want more women to do the same.” One model who truly celebrates her curves and rocks her Hilfiger's is Esther; check out her portfolio here featuring her latest shoot for Vol-up-2 mag!