9 Models Changing the Face of Beauty

These ladies are breaking the mold in the fashion industry.

Chantelle Brown-Young - Excelling in an industry that puts weight on outward appearance, these fashion models are changing perceptions and proving that there’s no one template for beauty. By Britt Middleton Handpicked by Tyra Banks to appear on cycle 21 of America’s Next Top Model, the Toronto native has been living with vitiligo, a skin disorder that produces white patches on the skin, since she was 4 years old. Now 20, she’s proven to be a fighter, telling PEOPLE magazine, "Growing up, it was a 'fake it 'til you make it' type of thing. I just decided, ‘You know what? I'm going to keep telling myself I'm beautiful until I feel beautiful.' And it happened." (Photo: Chantelle Brown-Young via Instagram)

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Chantelle Brown-Young - Excelling in an industry that puts weight on outward appearance, these fashion models are changing perceptions and proving that there’s no one template for beauty. By Britt Middleton Handpicked by Tyra Banks to appear on cycle 21 of America’s Next Top Model, the Toronto native has been living with vitiligo, a skin disorder that produces white patches on the skin, since she was 4 years old. Now 20, she’s proven to be a fighter, telling PEOPLE magazine, "Growing up, it was a 'fake it 'til you make it' type of thing. I just decided, ‘You know what? I'm going to keep telling myself I'm beautiful until I feel beautiful.' And it happened." (Photo: Chantelle Brown-Young via Instagram)

AzMarie Livingston  - You probably won’t catch her with a face full of makeup on her off days, and she’s more likely to throw on a cool, streetwear-inspired getup than 5-inch stilettos. The America's Next Top Model: British Invasion alum has made the androgynous look her own, and in the process continues to challenge contemporary standards of beauty. Today, she's back on the tube with a role on Fox’s hip hop drama Empire. (Photo: Rachel Murray/Getty Images for NYLON)

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AzMarie Livingston  - You probably won’t catch her with a face full of makeup on her off days, and she’s more likely to throw on a cool, streetwear-inspired getup than 5-inch stilettos. The America's Next Top Model: British Invasion alum has made the androgynous look her own, and in the process continues to challenge contemporary standards of beauty. Today, she's back on the tube with a role on Fox’s hip hop drama Empire. (Photo: Rachel Murray/Getty Images for NYLON)

Diandra Forrest - African-American model Diandra Forrest, who is albino, has said that she was often teased as a child for her fair skin and golden hair. Today, she’s turned that adversity into motivation to succeed. When she’s not walking the catwalk for luxury brands including Jean Paul Gaultier and Vivienne Westwood, you can catch her acting on the small screen, including a guest spot in Beyoncé’s “Pretty Hurts” music video. (Photo: Diandra Forrest via Instagram)

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Diandra Forrest - African-American model Diandra Forrest, who is albino, has said that she was often teased as a child for her fair skin and golden hair. Today, she’s turned that adversity into motivation to succeed. When she’s not walking the catwalk for luxury brands including Jean Paul Gaultier and Vivienne Westwood, you can catch her acting on the small screen, including a guest spot in Beyoncé’s “Pretty Hurts” music video. (Photo: Diandra Forrest via Instagram)

Jourdan Dunn - Who says tattoos aren’t high fashion? Rather than succumbing to the pressure to conform to a singular look, Jourdan Dunn is among the new guard of models proudly expressing themselves through body ink. Jourdan’s many tatts include a matching set of “double Ds” with BFF Cara Delevingne, the Egyptian goddess Isis on her upper back, and the phrase, “you owe it to yourself, set the world on fire,” inscribed on her right arm.  (Photos from Left: David M. Benett/Getty Images for DKNY and Esquire, Jourdan Dunn via Instagram)

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Jourdan Dunn - Who says tattoos aren’t high fashion? Rather than succumbing to the pressure to conform to a singular look, Jourdan Dunn is among the new guard of models proudly expressing themselves through body ink. Jourdan’s many tatts include a matching set of “double Ds” with BFF Cara Delevingne, the Egyptian goddess Isis on her upper back, and the phrase, “you owe it to yourself, set the world on fire,” inscribed on her right arm.  (Photos from Left: David M. Benett/Getty Images for DKNY and Esquire, Jourdan Dunn via Instagram)

Isis King - As the first transgender contestant on America’s Next Top Model, Isis King truly blazed a path. In the end, she didn’t win the coveted modeling contract, but she did use the opportunity to help change perceptions about the LGBT community, and she continues to work as an advocate today. (Photo by Fernando Leon/Getty Images)

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Isis King - As the first transgender contestant on America’s Next Top Model, Isis King truly blazed a path. In the end, she didn’t win the coveted modeling contract, but she did use the opportunity to help change perceptions about the LGBT community, and she continues to work as an advocate today. (Photo by Fernando Leon/Getty Images)

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Chrissy Teigen (2014) - Chrissy may not be a singer herself, but we have to give her an honorable mention for all the gilded, Old Hollywood vibes she’s serving in this strapless Johanna Johnson look.(Photo: Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

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Chrissy Teigen - It’s almost unimaginable that a Sports Illustrated cover girl has body critics to answer to. In fact, the model and avid foodie said she was once fired from a Forever 21 shoot because she was “too fat” (excuse us while we give some side-eye…). But Chrissy, who is petite and curvy in all the right places, hasn’t let the negativity get to her, and instead says she can’t wait for the day when “a curvier girl in a high-fashion magazine isn't a major news story.” (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

Jillian Mercado - Fashion blogger Jillian Mercado doesn’t fit the typical bill of a high-fashion model, but that didn’t stop her from striking a pose in Diesel’s Spring 2014 campaign featured in Vogue and Interview magazines. Jillian, who was diagnosed with spastic muscular dystrophy and is confined to a motorized chair, proves that physical limitations shouldn't stop you from achieving your dreams.  (Photo: Courtesy of Diesel)

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Jillian Mercado - Fashion blogger Jillian Mercado doesn’t fit the typical bill of a high-fashion model, but that didn’t stop her from striking a pose in Diesel’s Spring 2014 campaign featured in Vogue and Interview magazines. Jillian, who was diagnosed with spastic muscular dystrophy and is confined to a motorized chair, proves that physical limitations shouldn't stop you from achieving your dreams.  (Photo: Courtesy of Diesel)

Gabi Gregg - There’s one “F” word we’d use to describe Gabi Gregg: “fabulous.” The fashion blogger, stylist and model better known as Gabi Fresh is famed for cranking out the chicness on her successful blog, and she even designed a contemporary plus-size collection with Swimsuits for All. Inspiring us to love our curves and find peace in our own skin, Gabi is an inspiration for all women. (Photo: Gabi Fresh via Instagram)

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Gabi Gregg - There’s one “F” word we’d use to describe Gabi Gregg: “fabulous.” The fashion blogger, stylist and model better known as Gabi Fresh is famed for cranking out the chicness on her successful blog, and she even designed a contemporary plus-size collection with Swimsuits for All. Inspiring us to love our curves and find peace in our own skin, Gabi is an inspiration for all women. (Photo: Gabi Fresh via Instagram)

Waris Ahluwalia - After a poster for Gap’s “Make Love” campaign featuring Sikh actor/model Waris Ahluwalia was defaced with racist messages and later went viral, the Internet exploded with support for Ahluwalia, who wears turban and full beard in the ad. While this traditional look customary of Indian culture is one not often seen in American fashion, it's serving to make the mainstream a more tolerant place for people of all racial, ethnic and religious backgrounds.  (Photo: Courtesy of Gap)

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Waris Ahluwalia - After a poster for Gap’s “Make Love” campaign featuring Sikh actor/model Waris Ahluwalia was defaced with racist messages and later went viral, the Internet exploded with support for Ahluwalia, who wears turban and full beard in the ad. While this traditional look customary of Indian culture is one not often seen in American fashion, it's serving to make the mainstream a more tolerant place for people of all racial, ethnic and religious backgrounds.  (Photo: Courtesy of Gap)