– we are businesspeople who happened to be models. Because there are models that are way better looking than us, way better body, way better everything, but I think we are masters of strategy. We look at what’s out there that’s different and at what we can do to help our career.’ That’s the vision that led to ModelLand, although the genesis of the theme park is rather relatable. ‘Being a little girl from Los Angeles, California I was obsessed with Disneyland.
Accepting our differences is a hot topic, and the fashion industry seems to have just discovered systemic racism. ‘During my time as a model, there was a lot of it. It was something that as a Black model you had to deal with. From hair and make-up to pay equity, to people making racist comments to your face, it was a part of work. We dealt with it. I think it’d be the same today if we didn’t have social media.’ Social media has indeed forced the fashion industry to change and face its demons.
ModelLand’s core value is inclusivity. Nobody will be rejected. There are no diabolical casting directors to make already insecure people feel lesser. Everybody is welcome, and everybody should go. ‘ModelLand is one hundred per cent about breaking down beauty barriers and celebrating all kinds of beauties, which is something I’ve been talking about since I was 16 years old in the fashion industry.
tyrabanks that is absolutely a check tyrabanks