London Fashion Week is not just about exciting new looks and cutting edge designs, it is also a reflection of the fashion world’s current views on diversity within the modelling industry. Models Direct has always been a great believer in an inclusive attitude to fashion and modelling, so we always watch the catwalks and campaigns with great interest when fashion week comes around and over the last few years we have been very happy to note a trend towards the use of more diverse models within the fashion sector.

When Models Direct favourite Jourdan Dunn first took to the catwalk at Prada’s Autumn/Winter 2008-2009 show in Milan she was the first black model to have been used by the label in 13 years, when Naomi Campbell had walked for the famous brand in 1997. Single mother Dunn is now a campaigner for more ethnic diversity on the catwalk and it seems that voices like hers are being heard, as modelling jobs continue to open up for a far more diverse selection of looks. This a situation that everyone in the Models Direct offices believe to be a huge move in the right direction.

When Models Direct checked out the Encyclopaedia Of Model Names & Origins (Released By Modellounge & GQ) we were delighted to see so much ethnic and racial diversity caught on camera in association with this year’s catwalk shows. Models from Brazil, Sudan, China, Holland, Australia and, it seems, almost every other country between, introduced themselves to viewers in this short film.

Talented designer and top model Nana Afua Antwi was scouted to walk in last year’s London Fashion Week and this year she showcased her own ‘Adopted Culture’ designs at African Fashion Week London. When asked for her advice to aspiring models last month she told Pauline Long of The Afro News: “Whatever you do just be humble, stay positive and keep knocking until an opportunity opens; that’s my advice.”

The same appears to be true of plus size models. When discussing the reaction to an image of her which was featured in Glamour Magazine, vibrant plus size model Lizzie Miller told the guardian she felt “that the world is hungry to see pictures of normal women”. Work flooded in for Miller after her shoot was featured and she has not looked back.

So, if you have ambitions to become a model but feel that your look may not be classic enough for the kind of work you would love, think again, it may just be worth pursuing your dream!