Diverse model representation in the fashion industry affects the self -esteem and perception of young women in their potential.
Especially for young girls, it is important to see models and people who resemble themselves in ads and media in the pictures. When young people see themselves like people in the media, it strengthens their identity and builds self -confidence. In an article in the Vogue magazine of the Philippines Instead, it is emphasized, among other things, that diverse representation in fashion shows and ads is important because it affects the self -esteem and perception of young women as possible.
Earlier, we wrote about a Finnish study that most, or up to 92 % of women represented by a generation of Z, are under pressure, at least occasionally.
So representation is of great importance.
– It plays an important role in what kind of images you see: especially when information and pictures are nowadays fed to us everywhere. All of this affects our worldview, says Emma Matellin the industry’s leading Casting instructor in Style.com. He has worked for the most important fashion weeks in the world in London, Paris, Milan and Copenhagen.
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Matell, who lives in London, has been in the industry for eleven years, since 2014. He founded his own company three years ago. Originally, he studied and dreamed of a photographer’s career, but his work at a modeling agency with a model capting took him as he went.
– It speaks and changes your own attitude as you see representation around you from people like you. The feeling that you are eligible to grow significantly. Everyone can certainly recognize such emotions, Matell ponders.
Long-line Casting director Emma Matell calls for inclusive casting. Polina peninsula
Matell has already been responsible for several seasons for the Copenhagen Fashion Week’s Zalando screening. This year’s Visionary Award 2025 Design Winner Nigerian fashion designer Bubu ogis A few guidelines were guided by the work of the IAMISIMISIGO brand at the August Fashion Cat week.
– The Model Casting of this show was an inspirational and rewarding assignment for himself. The emphasis on this was that a lot of representation was wanted, for example, through different skin colors that would reflect the brand’s DNA. In Modeling agencies in Copenhagen, the challenge is that most of the office models are the majority of light -skinned models.
The Zalando Visionary Awards 2025 winning collection of the Iamo Visionary Awards of the fashion designer Bubu Ogis was introduced in August during the Köpis Fashion Week. Diversity in the model of the screening show was at the center. Polina peninsula
– We did a lot of model casting from the streets, which of course I normally do a lot. In addition, I also contacted my own profile models, which I already felt and hoped to be available in Köpis at the time of the show.
Emma Matell also enjoys a lot of street cases in search of models for assignments. Polina peninsula
At the beginning of the 2020s, diverse models were widely seen on both the stage and as a campaign. What happened to this phenomenon?
Matell calls for diversity in the use of models worldwide.
– This is still somewhat visible during Köpis’ fashion week, but in other international fashion weeks, diversity for skin color, gender and sizes – which we saw a lot more seasons then – unfortunately, it seemed to be clearly a transient trend. Data proves that a rapid and steep fall occurred in diversity. It’s extremely sad.
Consumers and social, for example, could have a positive impact, as the disadvantages may be highlighted in real time and very publicly.
– That would really be the case. However, this depends on the customer. It also requires the will of the brand itself: perseverance, a desire to build trust and will to communicate with the message to its clientele that “there is room for you, we see you”. For some brands, building such trust is secondary.
Matell calls for diversity in the fashion industry. Polina peninsula
-I would like to see more fashion designers and players who genuinely want to be part of the change and whose brand diversity is already built in. When I get such assignments myself, it is particularly rewarding, Matell says.
– I would like to see more individual and personalized models working. There should be room and order for a variety of models on the market. I am inspired and admired by individuals who are clearing space for themselves from the traditional model market, he underlines.
– The fact is, however, that the model world is an extremely rude and competitive industry and this is not a profession they dream of everyone. Not everyone can get into the industry and not everyone can do well, and these things are often in the hands of the model itself.
However, Matell believes that a few years ago, a spike seen in a diverse representation of a few years ago bears fruit later, even though the current situation is far from being far from.
– I hope that these effects of a few years have changed the consumer’s image permanently and again in the future, we will see more diverse people represented in the future. That more and loudly what kind of world is shown to us would be questioned again.
– I believe that young people in particular will demand change and accountability from companies as well.