Jillian Mercado
Jillian Mercado (born 1988) is an American fashion model represented by IMG Models, as a wheelchair user, one of the few professional disabled models in the fashion industry.[1] A prominent figure in the new wave of models challenging beauty ideals in the fashion industry, Mercado is keen to fight the lack of representation of disabled people in the fashion industry and their enduring stigma.[2]
Career
Mercado was born and raised in New York. Diagnosed with spastic muscular dystrophy as a child, she attended the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City and during her time in college, Mercado completed internships at Veranda, Allure magazine, and with the society photographer Patrick McMullan.[3]
Her first campaign for Diesel Jeans in 2014,[4] for which she was selected by Nicola Formichetti, was a success that subsequently landed her a modelling contract with IMG in August 2015.[5][6] She has since starred in several campaigns for Nordstrom as well as in Carine Roitfeld’s CR Fashion Book where she was photographed by Michael Avedon. [7]
In March 2016, Mercado was announced as one of three models to appear in the latest campaign for Beyoncé's official website, promoting merchandise for the singer's new single and 2016 Formation world tour.[8]
References
- ↑ Okwodu, Janelle (August 26, 2015). "Jillian Mercado Wants to Change the Fashion Industry—Here's How She’s Going to Do It" Vogue.
- ↑ Harmon, Steph (March 18, 2016). "Beyonce casts model with muscular dystrophy to promote new products". The Guardian.
- ↑ 'Who is Jillian Mercado?". Elle UK. Mar 22, 2016.
- ↑ Jillian Mercado Diesel Campaign. The Guardian. Jan 2014.
- ↑ Jillian Mercado. IMG Models
- ↑ Dazed and Confused. Is this 2015's most important model signing? Jillian Mercado joins IMG – the wheelchair user explains why disability in fashion can no longer be ignored. Emma Hope Allwood
- ↑ CR Fashion Book. Jillian Mercado
- ↑ i-D. Jillian Mercado stars in Beyonce's new campaign