Writing [Fashion]: Bethann Hardison’s “Diversity Rules!” Series

Originally published on Sinuous Magazine on March 4, 2015

Bethann Hardison’s “Diversity Rules!” Series Focuses on Model Agencies Getting It Right

Models.com and former model/fashion activist Bethann Hardison have teamed up to highlight diversity within model agencies in a series titled “Diversity Rules!”

Bethann shared her inspiration behind the series: “I have addressed the industry by having town hall meetings, gaining international media support, even naming those who lack the sense of responsibility of incorporating models of color. And after being given the CFDA’s Founders Award in June 2014 for upfront confrontation and determination to change how things are done and seen, still we lag at where we should be as an industry.”

“Where there is clear improvement over the years are the model agencies,” Bethann said. “They have improved their inclusion of the model of color and continue to seek those beauties.”

She continued: “So I decided, instead of looking at what and where it isn’t happening (for now), to show where it continues to grow. There are agencies with far more ethnic models than others, but there are many still open to growth.”

So far, the series showcases talent from five agencies: Ford Models, New York Model Management, IMG, Wilhelmina, and Next NY.

Lensed by Hans Neumann (Parts 1, 2, and 4), Alex & Iggy (Part 3), and Steven Yatsko (Part 5), the photo shoot features 35 models of color including Kayla Scott, Marihenny Rivera Pasible, Grace Mahary, Jeneil Williams, Scarlet Peña Quezada, Senait Gidey, and Sharam Diniz, who also give short interviews.

Hair is done by Martin Christopher Harper (Parts 1, 2, 4, and 5) and Malcolm Cuthbert (Part 3), with makeup by Cyndle Komarovski (Part 1, 2 and 4), Shar Sinclair (Part 3), and Munemi Imai (Part 5).