Disabilities and Visible Differences: Zebedee Management Redefines Fashion Beauty Standards
Zebedee Management is a modeling agency working with and for people with disabilities and visible differences.
Zebedee Management was established in 2017 and has been hugely changing beauty standards ever since. Co-director, Zoe Proctor, spoke with E! News about their mission and impact on the lives of the agency models. “Our mission is to increase the positive representation of these models in fashion, advertising and wider media,” said Zoe. “We are part of the #inclusionrevolution.”
Tommy Hilfiger, Gucci, and Hollister Co. are just a few of the many name brands Zebedee Management has allowed their models to shine through.
Their company has inspired consumers around the world to give people with disabilities as well as visible differences the opportunity to showcase on a bigger platform.
“For such a long time, our models have faced discrimination and been excluded from the industry. Zebedee has given them the platform to shine!” Zoe expressed to E! News. “Being a part of a fashion or beauty campaign means the world to them. It increases their self-esteem and feelings of self-worth. Not only does it impact them, but also their friends and family and wider society.”
Three years ago, walking together on the beach, my sister in law, Zoe Proctor (on right), and I (left) were having a good old moan about the lack of representation of disabled people in the media. It was at that point we decided we wanted to do something about this, and that pic.twitter.com/5H5CEXUYLF
— Zebedee (@ZebedeeMan) June 26, 2020
Now, let’s meet some of the beautiful Rockstar models of Zebedee that are contributing to changing fashion history forever.
Ellie Goldstein: She has Down Syndrome and was cast by Gucci Beauty at 18 years old for their “Unconventional Beauty” campaign. Ellie loves all things performing arts.
Bernadette Hagans: 24-year-old Belfast model. Bernadette says, “I feel empowered when I model. Before my amputation of my leg, I was really shy. Modeling has helped my confidence grow and I feel amazing shooting.” When participating in a Huckbody shoot, she mused, “I love that I’m able to be a part of the change in the industry.”
Baillie Annalise: 21-year-old long time dancer, who has vitiligo. She was asked by Hollister Co. to model their swimsuits and took part in an Avon campaign in which she voiced her dreams. “I’ve never looked the same as anyone else,” she disclosed. “I would love to become this hand model. I’d love for my hands to be everywhere.”
Mollie Pearce: 18-year-old model for a variety of names including Tommy Hilfiger and Huckbody. “Since I started modeling, my confidence has grown massively and I am no longer afraid to show my disability off,” shared Mollie.
Reneé Bryant-Mulcare: 21-year-old who refers to her career with Zebedee as “living a dream that I didn’t think could ever be made true.” Reneé previously opened up about her heartfelt life story: “I was paralyzed from the age of only 6 days old, and I then began to use a wheelchair from the age of 4,” she shared. “Growing up with my disability from such a young age, my self-esteem and self-confidence was so low. I felt so different from everyone else and I didn’t see many people that looked like me, certainly not in the media or fashion industry anyway.”
“I’ve always wanted to be a part of creating better representation in the world, and having the opportunity to be a model now, has made that become a reality,” continues Reneé. “I have grown so much further into self-acceptance and confidence since I have started this journey. I have grown to celebrate my disability and to own all of the things that make me who I am, rather than feeling insecure about them.”
You can discover the groundbreaking modeling agency for young people and adults with disabilities and visible differences in Zebedee Management via their website here.
Writer | Tweet me @juliaroulhac
