Breaking Beauty Stereotypes: The Shift Toward Diversity in Fashion & Modeling

• By: Admin

08 Mar 2025

For quite some time, the fashion and modelling industry has been following the same, rigid beauty standards. I mean, since I’ve started following this industry, I have seen tall, thin, and fair-skinned people dominating magazines and runways.

So, in our time, if you didn’t fit into that mold, your opportunities would have been too slim. Fortunately, things have changed quite a lot since then, and it’s about time it did too!

Chapter – 1: The Old Beauty Standards

There was a time when beauty standards weren’t just touch – they were exclusive. Back then, if you wanted to get into fashion styling courses in Kolkata, you had to have a certain height, skin tone, and body type. Also, as social media was quite non-existent back then – magazines and TV ads shaped public opinion on how a model should look like.

Chapter – 2: The Rise of Inclusivity

However, now, diversity has become more than a trend in the fashion industry. It’s a movement. Designers and brands from all around the world are embracing models of all sizes, shapes, and backgrounds. Models with disabilities, plus-sized models, and people from different ethnicities are finally getting the spotlight. And many powerful individuals, especially celebrities, are pushing it too. Take Fenty Beauty, for example. Rihanna launched this foundation line with over 40 different shades to cater to a broad category of audience. This made people realize that representation matters. Seeing someone, who looks like you, walking down the ramp is extremely encouraging.

Chapter – 3: The Social Media Effect

The social media influence on fashion has been huge. It gave a voice to people who were constantly being ignored by the industry due to not fitting the ‘beauty standards.’

For example, there was a time when models needed to get in touch with an agency to make it big. However, now, you can gain recognition by showcasing your unique looks through Instagram and Pinterest pretty easily. And brands will notice you too. The trend of hiring an influencer with real, relatable beauty standard has become more valid in the recent years, thanks to social media.

Chapter – 4: The Never-Ending Challenges

While there’s been some progress, many brands still hesitate to embrace real diversity. Yes, they might be featuring models from different ethnicities – but their focus is on the overall social media followers of these people, instead of hiring true talents.

Tokenism is yet another issue that’s been plaguing the fashion industry for a while. For example, some brands tend to add diversity just for the sake of it or for marketing instead of being consistent.

Chapter – 5: An Ode to the Aspiring Models

If you are dreaming to enter the modeling industry, this shift is good news. No matter what background you’re from, now – there’s a space in this vertical for you too.

However, if you are serious about it, only posting your pictures on Instagram and following some tips from YouTubers isn’t going to be enough for you. You have to get enrolled in a modeling institute in Kolkata in order to learn the basics and the technicalities of the craft.

Final Thoughts

Fashion is about celebrating every culture, every ethnicity, and every human being – not just a select few. Thankfully, the industry is moving towards the right direction. So, as long as you’ve got the talent and hunger to prove yourself – you’ll always find your place here.