A System of Inqeuity: Fashion for Every Body | Aaron Rose Philip | TEDxBerkeley

TL;DR

The fashion industry still excludes many marginalized groups, particularly black trans women and disabled individuals.

Transcript

hello everyone it is my pleasure and my honor to be here with you all this afternoon I am so grateful my name is Amon Ros Phillip I'm 22 years old I am a fashion model an artist a media personality and a woman amongst many other things some may call me a jack of all trades fashion has been one of the greatest parts of my life over the past six year... Read More

Key Insights

• 🖤 Amon's experiences reveal the deep-rooted exclusivity in the fashion industry, particularly against marginalized identities such as black trans women and disabled individuals.
• 😓 While representation has improved somewhat, many brands still resort to performative inclusivity, such as casting marginalized models for campaigns without providing substantial opportunities.
• 👾 The fashion industry is often perceived as a fantasy space that fails to accurately reflect societal diversity, reinforcing harmful stereotypes of beauty and desirability.
• 🌍 Amon highlights the emotional impact of being a rare representation in the fashion world, both for herself and her community, emphasizing the importance of visibility.
• ✴️ Conversations around race and ability are increasingly urgent, with Amon pointing out the disparity in opportunities for black trans models versus their white counterparts.
• 🫷 Amon's push for community engagement shows the power of collective advocacy in fighting for inclusivity within the fashion industry.
• 📔 The reluctance of major brands to book disabled or non-traditional models illustrates a pervasive bias that hampers progress despite public dialogues on the subject.

Questions & Answers

Q: What challenges does Amon face as a model in the fashion industry?

Amon Ros Phillip faces significant challenges as a black trans woman and wheelchair user trying to establish herself in the fashion industry. Despite being talented and passionate about her work, she has often been rejected from runway shows and campaigns due to a lack of representation and perceived 'look' requirements. This highlights the industry’s ongoing issues related to inclusivity.

Q: How does Amon feel about the current state of representation in fashion?

Amon expresses a mix of cautious optimism and frustration regarding representation. While she acknowledges some progress, such as increased visibility for disabled and black models, she believes that these changes are superficial and insufficient. The industry still heavily favors able-bodied and white talent, making true equality still a distant goal.

Q: Can you give examples of brands that have made efforts toward inclusivity?

Amon mentions Moschino, which notably featured her, a visibly disabled model, on the runway during fashion month, marking a significant milestone. This act, while monumental, is an exception rather than the rule. She also references other models and campaigns that have gradually brought more awareness to marginalized communities in fashion but emphasizes the need for a broader commitment from brands.

Q: What does Amon suggest is a necessary change in the fashion industry?

Amon advocates for a fundamental shift in the fashion industry's attitudes and practices towards inclusivity. She stresses that the industry must dismantle exclusionary standards based on race, ability, and body type. By allowing diverse bodies and identities to have space in fashion, the narrative can shift from exclusivity to a representation of all people’s experiences.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Amon Ros Phillip shares her journey in the fashion industry as a black trans woman and wheelchair user, highlighting her struggles for representation and inclusivity.

• Despite some progress in disability and black representation, the fashion industry remains largely exclusive, favoring able-bodied and white models over their marginalized counterparts.

• Amon emphasizes the importance of community support and challenges the fashion industry's unrealistic narratives, advocating for true inclusivity in all forms of fashion.