Elle' cover girl Joan Smalls urges diversity, Calling it "the return of the supermodel," Elle magazine has ditched the familiar movie/TV star cover girl for its January issue and is featuring Joan Smalls.
The Puerto Rico-born Smalls, 25, ranks as the No. 1 model in the world, according to Models.com. And she is speaking out about the fashion industry's lack of diversity.
"People hide behind the word aesthetic," she tells Elle. "They say, 'Well, it's just that designer's aesthetic.' But when you see 18 seasons in a row and not one single model outside a certain skin color…? There are people in the industry who are advocates, who support diversity. And there are people who do not. I don't get it. Beauty is universal. These doors have to open."
How her modeling career started:
"I came to New York with a dream. I came to do what I saw girls doing in campaigns, in editorials — great things, challenging things."
Her motivations to eventually get into acting:
"I want to be clear that I don't want to act just because it's the typical move for a model. My desire comes from a place of wanting to entertain people on a different level."
Estee Lauder's Richard Ferretti on Smalls:
"The word supermodel is overused, but if there is any woman of our generation who deserves the title, it's Joan. She has the perfect face."
The Puerto Rico-born Smalls, 25, ranks as the No. 1 model in the world, according to Models.com. And she is speaking out about the fashion industry's lack of diversity.
"People hide behind the word aesthetic," she tells Elle. "They say, 'Well, it's just that designer's aesthetic.' But when you see 18 seasons in a row and not one single model outside a certain skin color…? There are people in the industry who are advocates, who support diversity. And there are people who do not. I don't get it. Beauty is universal. These doors have to open."
How her modeling career started:
"I came to New York with a dream. I came to do what I saw girls doing in campaigns, in editorials — great things, challenging things."
Her motivations to eventually get into acting:
"I want to be clear that I don't want to act just because it's the typical move for a model. My desire comes from a place of wanting to entertain people on a different level."
Estee Lauder's Richard Ferretti on Smalls:
"The word supermodel is overused, but if there is any woman of our generation who deserves the title, it's Joan. She has the perfect face."