2017 brought us many new and inspiring faces in fashion, and with a fresh year around the corner we’re forecasting the people to watch in 2018. Some are already models or well established in the industry, but these women are continuing to pioneer diversity, body positivity and generally chic aesthetics like never before. Take a look at some of these influencers you must add to your Insta feed.
Adwoa Aboah
Aboah first graced the cover of Vogue Italia in 2016, and has been making a name for herself ever since. She has gone beyond the limits of fashion and uses her platform to discuss addiction and depression with young women everywhere, even creating Gurls Talk, and outlet for honest conversation surrounding these issues. She has devoted herself to use her rise in the fashion industry to help those who have fallen, and she shows no signs of slowing down in 2018.
Zendaya
Queen Zendaya has been in the spotlight for a while now, making herself a household name not only in film, but also fashion. Her clothing line, Daya by Zendaya, features mostly gender-neutral clothing––a project very close to her heart. “I just felt that if I’m going to do a clothing line, that’s the only way I see it being done,” she told Teen Vogue. For a society beginning to accept the idea of gender-neutral branding, Zendaya taking action to normalize this advancement is something to follow in 2018.
Coco
If you thought you’d never be taking style advice from a 7-year old, Coco is here to prove you wrong. Coco is breaking age stereotypes in fashion by throwing all caution to the wind when choosing what to wear. She’s more likely to opt for Comme des Garçons Girls than any department store brand, and is inspired by the street style looks in Tokyo, where she lives. An inspiration to be unapologetically you, Coco’s sassy style will most likely be turning heads in 2018.
Halima Aden
The first hijab-wearing model signed to IMG model agency, Aden has not only walked the runway at Alberta Ferretti and MaxMara, but also has been featured on the cover of Allure and modeled for American Eagle’s #WeAllCan campaign. Aden is breaking boundaries in the fashion world, and has not only changed the landscape of diverse representation, but is impacting the activist community as well. Between hours spent on photoshoots and catwalks, Aden speaks to empower Muslim women as well as being an active member of Unicef. Aden will continue to chase her passions and empower women everywhere in the new year.
Ashley Graham
Graham has most recently been in the public eye after shading Victoria’s Secret about their lack of body diversity in this year’s fashion show. She’s led many body positive movements, empowering women to embrace their natural selves. After appearing in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, she has proven that beauty is in everyone of all shapes. She fights to make being plus-size as common in the modeling industry as not, insisting that curvy women are not just a trend. We hope to hear her continue to speak for acceptance of all forms of beauty in 2018.
Radhika Nair
Nair walked the runway of Paris Fashion Week ’17, being the first Indian model to ever walk for Balenciaga. After appearing for Vetements, Miu Miu, Loewe, Etro, Mulberry, and JW Anderson, she has easily become one of the most desired models in the industry. Nair was first spotted in Delhi, which launched her to the direction of Balenciaga. We expect to see her bouncy curls and bold brows everywhere the upcoming seasons as the 25-year old makes her debut even more known.
Paloma Elsesser
In the spirit of more plus-size representation, Elsesser spent 2017 posing nude for Glossier’s body wash, Body Hero. She posted an emotional Instagram after the release of the Body Hero campaign, explaining the troubles she had going into the photoshoot and elaborating that it’s okay to be fat––that it isn’t something to be ashamed of, and that fat is beautiful. By taking back the word “fat,” Elsesser hopes to provide confidence to many who have been in the same place emotionally. Elsesser has also worked for Nike to redesign the Nike Cortez as well as model for their plus-size line.
We can’t wait to follow where these women as they go into the next year, and hope to see even greater pioneering from them in 2018.