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

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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.”

Models.com "Diversity Rules!" Part 1: Ford

Models.com “Diversity Rules!” Part 1: Ford

“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.”

Models.com "Diversity Rules!" Part 3: IMG

Models.com “Diversity Rules!” Part 3: IMG

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).

Ely for Models.com "Diversity Rules!" Part 1: Ford

Ely for Models.com “Diversity Rules!” Part 1: Ford

Iesha Hodges for Models.com "Diversity Rules!" Part 1: Ford

Iesha Hodges for Models.com “Diversity Rules!” Part 1: Ford

Kayla Scott for Models.com "Diversity Rules!" Part 1: Ford

Kayla Scott for Models.com “Diversity Rules!” Part 1: Ford

Khadija Otero for Models.com "Diversity Rules!" Part 1: Ford

Khadija Otero for Models.com “Diversity Rules!” Part 1: Ford

Miyanda Jacobs-Newton for Models.com "Diversity Rules!" Part 1: Ford

Miyanda Jacobs-Newton for Models.com “Diversity Rules!” Part 1: Ford

Sarah Marie for Models.com "Diversity Rules!" Part 1: Ford

Sarah Marie for Models.com “Diversity Rules!” Part 1: Ford

Ting Gong for Models.com "Diversity Rules!" Part 1: Ford

Ting Gong for Models.com “Diversity Rules!” Part 1: Ford

Tsheca White for Models.com "Diversity Rules!" Part 1: Ford

Tsheca White for Models.com “Diversity Rules!” Part 1: Ford

Ash Foo for Models.com "Diversity Rules!" Part 2: New York Model Management

Ash Foo for Models.com “Diversity Rules!” Part 2: New York Model Management

Chey Carty for Models.com "Diversity Rules!" Part 2: New York Model Management

Chey Carty for Models.com “Diversity Rules!” Part 2: New York Model Management

Chiharu Okunugi for Models.com "Diversity Rules!" Part 2: New York Model Management

Chiharu Okunugi for Models.com “Diversity Rules!” Part 2: New York Model Management

Leila Nda for Models.com "Diversity Rules!" Part 2: New York Model Management

Leila Nda for Models.com “Diversity Rules!” Part 2: New York Model Management

Marihenny Rivera Pasible for Models.com "Diversity Rules!" Part 2: New York Model Management

Marihenny Rivera Pasible for Models.com “Diversity Rules!” Part 2: New York Model Management

Riley Montana for Models.com "Diversity Rules!" Part 2: New York Model Management

Riley Montana for Models.com “Diversity Rules!” Part 2: New York Model Management

Chen Lin for Models.com "Diversity Rules!" Part 3: IMG

Chen Lin for Models.com “Diversity Rules!” Part 3: IMG

Grace Mahary for Models.com "Diversity Rules!" Part 3: IMG

Grace Mahary for Models.com “Diversity Rules!” Part 3: IMG

 Jasmine Tookes for Models.com "Diversity Rules!" Part 3: IMG

Jasmine Tookes for Models.com “Diversity Rules!” Part 3: IMG

Jeneil Williams for Models.com "Diversity Rules!" Part 3: IMG

Jeneil Williams for Models.com “Diversity Rules!” Part 3: IMG

Ping Hue for Models.com "Diversity Rules!" Part 3: IMG

Ping Hue for Models.com “Diversity Rules!” Part 3: IMG

Sasha Hronis for Models.com "Diversity Rules!" Part 3: IMG

Sasha Hronis for Models.com “Diversity Rules!” Part 3: IMG

Scarlet Peña Quezada for Models.com "Diversity Rules!" Part 3: IMG

Scarlet Peña Quezada for Models.com “Diversity Rules!” Part 3: IMG

Models.com "Diversity Rules!" Part 3: IMG

Models.com “Diversity Rules!” Part 3: IMG

Senait Gidey for Models.com "Diversity Rules!" Part 3: IMG

Senait Gidey for Models.com “Diversity Rules!” Part 3: IMG

Yu Du Zeng for Models.com "Diversity Rules!" Part 3: IMG

Yu Du Zeng for Models.com “Diversity Rules!” Part 3: IMG

Daniela L. for Models.com "Diversity Rules!" Part 4: Wilhelmina

Daniela L. for Models.com “Diversity Rules!” Part 4: Wilhelmina

Djenice for Models.com "Diversity Rules!" Part 4: Wilhelmina

Djenice for Models.com “Diversity Rules!” Part 4: Wilhelmina

Emely Montero for Models.com "Diversity Rules!" Part 4: Wilhelmina

Emely Montero for Models.com “Diversity Rules!” Part 4: Wilhelmina

Jasmine Daniels for Models.com "Diversity Rules!" Part 4: Wilhelmina

Jasmine Daniels for Models.com “Diversity Rules!” Part 4: Wilhelmina

Kwak for Models.com "Diversity Rules!" Part 4: Wilhelmina

Kwak for Models.com “Diversity Rules!” Part 4: Wilhelmina

Lula Kenfe for Models.com "Diversity Rules!" Part 4: Wilhelmina

Lula Kenfe for Models.com “Diversity Rules!” Part 4: Wilhelmina

Neelam Gill for Models.com "Diversity Rules!" Part 4: Wilhelmina

Neelam Gill for Models.com “Diversity Rules!” Part 4: Wilhelmina

Dalianah Arekion for Models.com "Diversity Rules!" Part 5: Next NY

Dalianah Arekion for Models.com “Diversity Rules!” Part 5: Next NY

Jessie Li for Models.com "Diversity Rules!" Part 5: Next NY

Jessie Li for Models.com “Diversity Rules!” Part 5: Next NY

Sharam Diniz for Models.com "Diversity Rules!" Part 5: Next NY

Sharam Diniz for Models.com “Diversity Rules!” Part 5: Next NY

Shu Pei for Models.com "Diversity Rules!" Part 5: Next NY

Shu Pei for Models.com “Diversity Rules!” Part 5: Next NY

Yuan Bo Chao for Models.com "Diversity Rules!" Part 5: Next NY

Yuan Bo Chao for Models.com “Diversity Rules!” Part 5: Next NY

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