Diesel Features Model With Muscular Dystrophy In Their Latest Campaign! Get Her Inspiring Story!

Beauty is everywhere!
The modeling industry has often been criticized for touting almost inhuman standards of beauty, but that’s all changing now.
Late last year a gorgeous cross-eyed model was featured on the front of Pop magazine, early this year Aerie started advertising lingerie using real, un-photoshopped models, and now Jillian Mercado, a fashion blogger with muscular dystrophy, is starring in Diesel├óΓé¼Γäós “We Are Connected” campaign!
This development is SO encouraging — it delivers the powerful message that we are all unique, and things that may have once been seen as flaws in the modeling industry are now seen as beauty marks.
Which they absolutely are!
Jillian was recently a guest on the Today Show, where she got to explain her story a little further. She said of the shoot:

“I was really nervous. I will not sugarcoat that one. They made it extremely comfortable to be there. I├óΓé¼Γäóm always behind the camera, never in front of it. I didn├óΓé¼Γäót want to mess up.”

Clearly she didn’t mess up, because the end result of the Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin lensed photos are stunning!
Jillian Mercado continued with some thoughts on the fashion industry, saying:

“It├óΓé¼Γäós a harsh world to be in since, everyone is criticizing how you look, not your brain. There are people who don├óΓé¼Γäót understand, who are very close-minded and don├óΓé¼Γäót think before they say anything. It gets better. If you have a positive attitude and determination in life, everything gets better. You don├óΓé¼Γäót have to look like a model to wear Diesel. Every photo they release, someone can relate to it. And that├óΓé¼Γäós rare in the fashion industry.”

Inspiring!
But not only did she inspire us — and hopefully the general public — she also inspired Diesel designer Nicola Formichetti. Nicola raved of the model:

“It├óΓé¼Γäós never easy for her to move from point A to point B, but she├óΓé¼Γäós totally fearless and has really been an inspiration to me. You don├óΓé¼Γäót have to be a conventional model type to represent a brand.”

Preach, Nicola!
Loving all the changes that are happening in the modeling world.
Can’t wait to see what happens next!
[Image via Diesel.]