What happens when the image that stares back at you in the mirror doesn’t meet the conventional norms of beauty and attractiveness? This is a daily struggle for many individuals living with disabilities.
Societal standards, particularly in the modeling industry, often lead to discrimination and judgmental glances for these disabled individuals. In the past, models were expected to be slim, tall, and have distinctive features. This made many models with no disabilities resort to extreme diets or surgical procedures to attain this ‘perfect’ look. Imagine how much more challenging it was for those with disabilities.
In the early days, there was little hope for this group of people. They were grossly underrepresented in the media, especially in Africa, where over 80 million people live with various forms of disability, including mental health conditions, congenital disorders, and physical impairments, according to a UN report. The fashion world was monopolized by able-bodied models, who were seen on the runway of Fashion Weeks and gracing the covers of magazines.
However, the fashion industry has made strides towards a more inclusive future in recent years. We’re beginning to see the winds of change. There is now a growing, albeit still limited, representation of models with disabilities across various aspects of fashion. Now, models like Zizipho Soldat and Lebohang Monyatsi are breaking bias in their community, increasing visibility and opportunities for aspiring models with disabilities. A growing number of designers have embraced inclusivity by featuring models with disabilities on the runway.
Despite these advancements, there’s still a significant gap in the representation of non-disabled and disabled models within the African fashion industry. However, we can at least foresee a massive shift in the future.
In this piece, we’ll explore the stories of three such models with disabilities who are making significant inroads in the modeling industry. We’ll trace their humble beginnings and their rise to prominence, celebrating their courage and resilience.
Zizipho Soldat
Zizipho was born with phocomelia, a condition that results in malformed or absent limbs. In her case, her left arm is underdeveloped, and her left leg is significantly shorter than her right. However, these physical challenges haven’t deterred Zizipho from pursuing her dream of becoming a model and carving out a successful career on social media, shattering the restrictive norms of the industry.
Watching international models like Naomi Campbell strut down the runway inspired this differently-abled model and fueled her dreams of modeling. She began taking pictures of herself and sharing them on her social media platforms, eventually seeking professional shots from a modeling agency.
As the model’s social media following grew, so did her confidence. In 2020, Zizipho gathered the courage to approach another modeling agency. “They signed me because they admired my confidence. After seeing my pictures, another UK-based agency signed me,” she shares proudly.
The vibrant South African emphasizes the importance of including individuals with disabilities in various sectors to combat depression and suicide among marginalized groups. She has also directed a documentary about disability. The South African model aspires to walk the prestigious Fashion Week runways in New York and Paris, pen a book, and launch a cosmetic line tailored for people with disabilities.
Laura Ashleigh Meyer
Laura Ashleigh Meyer is a 24-year-old model and budding fashion designer who has a physical impairment — a congenital spinal deformity. Born and raised in East London, in South Africa’s Eastern Cape, Meyer developed a fascination for fashion early on, leafing through magazines and keeping up with trends.
Her passion for modeling was ignited during her high school fashion design studies when she was on the lookout for models with physical disabilities to showcase her designs. She realized that there was much to be done to bring disabled models to the limelight.
In June 2023, the supermodel signed with Topco Models and has already starred in a commercial for the South African jewelry brand LORNE. Meyer was also involved in the Miss SA 2023 pageant program and according to the 24-year-old, she’s breaking down barriers.
“Embracing representation, breaking down barriers, and proving that beauty comes in all forms💕, she said in an Instagram post while thanking her fans for the support. “24 hours in and I’m already feeling ALL of the love! Thank you for recognizing the importance of inclusivity and representation!”
Laura’s dream, however, is that through her modeling and design career, she can serve as a true and consistent representation of people with disabilities in the fashion industry.
Lebohang Monyatsi
Lebohang Monyatsi, a trailblazer in her own right, is recognized as South Africa’s first runway model who uses a wheelchair. Born and nurtured in the North West Province town of Vryburg, Lebohang has made a name for herself not just in the fashion industry but also in sports, representing her country in wheelchair basketball.
Passionate about children’s welfare, disability inclusion, and universal design, the South African model has always had a soft spot for modeling. She participated in beauty pageants during her teenage years but eventually took a break. Her ambition is to show the world that individuals with disabilities are not limited to sports and office jobs but can excel in a multitude of fields.
Some of Monyatsi’s most notable achievements include being a finalist for Face Of The Globe and modeling during Soweto Fashion Week, which was featured on Selimathunzi. She also strutted her stuff on the runway during Maboneng Fashion Week and the GeeJunction Fashion Show, all in South Africa.
As a model, Lebohang’s goals are to engage in international modeling and serve as an inspiration and role model for those who believe “it’s not possible.” Beyond these aspirations, she hopes to lay the groundwork for others to follow in her footsteps and even surpass her achievements.
