Models of Diversity: Fashion Revolution Ignites London Fashion Week Summer 2023 with Radical Inclusion
In a season marked by spectacle and excess, one show cut through the noise with purpose and power: Models of Diversity: Fashion Revolution. Held during London Fashion Week Summer 2023, this groundbreaking event wasn’t just a runway—it was a rallying cry for representation, body autonomy, and true industry reform.
Founded by campaigner and former model Angel Sinclair, Models of Diversity has long advocated for increased visibility of disabled, plus-size, older, and racially diverse models in mainstream fashion. But Fashion Revolution marked a new chapter: a bold, unapologetic takeover of fashion week’s most prestigious stage. The show spotlighted over 40 models from historically excluded communities, including trans and non-binary talent, wheelchair users, amputees, and survivors of visible trauma—many of whom were walking a major runway for the first time.
From the first step onto the catwalk, the energy was electric. Streetwear merged with couture, adaptive design met editorial edge, and every look—whether a custom corseted gown, an athleisure-forward ensemble, or a prosthetic-enhanced power suit—told a story of resilience, beauty, and joy. Designers featured included up-and-coming talents like Kiyana Rowe, Hassan Nouri, and Studio Reframe, all of whom created with accessibility and inclusivity at the core of their collections.
“We’re not here to tick boxes,” Sinclair said in her opening remarks. “We’re here to dismantle them.”
Backstage, models spoke about what the moment meant to them. For 64-year-old runway newcomer Joan Mbatha, the show was “a reclaiming of time.” For wheelchair model and activist Elliot James, it was “a middle finger to an industry that once said we didn’t belong.”
The event concluded with a standing ovation, as all the models returned for a final walk—arms linked, smiles wide, unified in defiance and pride. Press coverage poured in across Vogue UK, The Guardian, and Dazed, hailing the show as “the emotional epicenter of London Fashion Week.”
In a year where fashion is grappling with accountability, Fashion Revolution proved that radical inclusion isn’t a trend—it’s the future. And it walked that runway in full light, on its own terms.
