Talulah-Eve Calls the Fashion

Talulah-Eve Calls the Fashion Industry Out About Tokenism in Open Letter

or Teen Vogue’s inaugural open letter series, we asked influential figures to address issues that plague the fashion industry, including racism, cultural appropriation, xenophobia, transphobia and size discrimination. Throughout Fashion Month, we will feature an open letter urging the fashion industry to take a stand against bigotry. The below letter was written by Talulah-Eve, the only transgender model to walk at London Fashion Week.

"Fresh face? Fresh vision!" Fizzy sherbet and mustard were amongst the popular shades boasted at London Fashion Week this season, alongside over-the-top ruffles and tiny sunglasses. However, the one thing we didn't see is diversity.

I was fortunate enough to walk for Giles Deacon this season. But why was I the only transgender model to walk at all this season at LFW?

Our demand for change in the fashion industry is answered with the rare designer or brand that features a black model, a plus-size model, or even less likely, a transgender model, every now and then.

The answer to change isn't tokenism: casting one model from a marginalized group, or doing a one-off show that highlights a marginalized group. It's by regularly championing diversity, by making it the norm.