Elesha with the mayor, Cllr Bruce Dowling, and deputy mayor, Cllr Judy Rogers (photo: HBC).
Elesha and Models of Diversity set out their stall
Models of Diversity (MoD) is a charity which campaigns for more diversity in the models we all see every day in the fashion industry. They call on the fashion, beauty and marketing industries to recognise the beauty in people of all races, ages, shapes, sizes and abilities. Their mission is to change the face of fashion and modelling.
Before Christmas, the Mayor of Hastings, Cllr Bruce Dowling, and the deputy mayor, Cllr Judy Rogers, met Elesha Turner, a local woman who has been supporting the Models of Diversity campaign and has recently won a BEFFTA award (Europe’s award ceremony that celebrates the achievements of black and ethnic personalities in entertainment, film, fashion, television and arts) for best female model in a category of over 30 able models; an amazing achievement for her and Models Of Diversity.
Elesha and her MoD fellow models (photo: HBC).
Elesha said: “I was diagnosed with bone cancer at the age of 19, in July 2013, which left me having to have limb salvage surgery to my left leg, the day before my 20th birthday. During my recovery I have been involved with Models of Diversity and have walked in New York Fashion Week, and recently won a BEFFTA award.
“Now, three other MoD models and I have been to Parliament to launch the petition to address the exclusion of disability in fashion. One in every six people has a disability in this country and we are just asking for this to be reflected in the fashion industry.
“It’s great to have the support of the Mayor and his deputy for this petition. I am urging my local community, whether they have a disability or not, to help us reach our target and make a change happen.”
Mayor Dowling added: “Models of Diversity is an excellent charity which is challenging the fashion and arts industry to recognise beauty in all people.
“It was a pleasure to meet Elesha last week and have the opportunity to understand her personal struggle with surgeries and now of course her success with her modelling career.
“It’s important that we all recognise diversity and I am pleased that Elesha was able to bring to our attention the petition that Models of Diversity are currently working on to ‘Regulate the fashion industry and apply same ratio for models’.”
Find out more about Models of Diversity.
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