Whenever the topic of fashion is brought up to the table, two stark perspectives are met - on one side the extreme admiration for high garments and styles, on the other, complete disregard for the industry. Wherever you find yourself in this discussion, both realms rarely remember those who display the so loved or hated garments - the fashion models.
Since their first strides on runways, fashion models have endured, with no twitch of their mouths, the hard work lived in the backstage only know to them whilst prevailing in a culture that portrays them as mere mannequins and shallow individuals, diminishing every possible chance of multidimensionality of these workers.
Contrary to what many believe, not all models are the likes of your imagination of the fashion world, so that's why I decided to invite someone that has been in this business for 7 years and has modelled for the likes of Kate Spade, DKNY, Estée Lauder, Vera Wang, Oscar de La Renta, Zadig & Voltaire and Phillip Lim.
By showcasing the backstage of the so presupposed "glamorous life" of models, Luiza Scandelari gained notoriety for creating an informative and welcoming space where people can connect with her whilst being open about the real life of an international model, the day to day hustle and bustle. I found it moving when she told that the creation of her channel has a way to share her voice, to show that she has experiences to tell, much of what we've been trying to do with our programme here. A perfect match of ideas.
Many unfortunately still consider modelling as futile and superfluous work and unfortunately don't give the recognition and proper care the workers in this industry are due to receive, which leads to abusive practices we've seen in last years being denounced by models, especially female workers.
In our talk, we discuss Luiza's first stages working in the fashion industry as a 17-year-old girl lost in Milan, how to protect young models, and why fashion matters as a mirror of what is happening in our societies, just as arts do. Luiza and I believe that clothes are the upmost and most democratic form of expression whether you fancy abiding by it or not.
