In an industry known for pushing Barbie-doll notions of beauty, these amazing models are defying conventions and changing the fashion world for the better.
Brunette Moffy
Having developed Strabismus (cross-eye) early in life, Brunette Moffy opted to to make her condition into a key element of her look and is experiencing huge success at mega-agency Storm Models.
Jacky O’Shaughnessy
Challenging the notion that modeling is a young woman's game, Jacky O'Shaughnessy was discovered last year at age 62, providing us with a new definition for timeless beauty.
Katya Zharkova
In an industry dominated by stick thin women, Katya Zharkova is not merely a plus-size model, but also an advocate for healthier lifestyles and beauty ideals.
Melanie Gaydos
Born with a hereditary condition known as ectodermal dysplasia, Melanie Gaydos does not look like the models from traditional fashion shoots.
Diandra Forrest
Born without natural pigmentation, Diandra Forrest overcame bullying suffered during her youth and now puts her incredible beauty to work modeling for several major clients such as Jean Paul Gaultier and Vivienne Westwood.
Winnie Harlow
Born Chantelle Brown-Young, she was diagnosed with vitiligo at an early age, but overcame her insecurities, beginning a modeling career that would take her to America's Next Top Model and beyond.
Jillian Mercado
Despite suffering from spastic muscular dystrophy and unable to walk, Jillian Mercado's talent, hard work, and unconventional beauty have helped her achieve her dreams as a high-powered fashion personality, as well as the face of Diesel's Spring 2014 campaign.
Andreja Pejic
Having modeled successfully for years as an androgynous male modal, Andreja Pejic underwent sex reassignment surgery and came out as a transgender female last year.
Nadia Aboulhosn
This blogger and model has taken many daring steps in an industry that has characteristically been size conscious. While she joins many other "curvy" and "plus size" models, she leads the charge in changing the meaning of these labels.
Viktoria Modesta
Many would think that having a leg amputated would be the end of any potential modeling career. Viktoria Modesta is not among them. Through hard work, she has achieved tremendous success as both a pop star and model.
Erika Linder
"I have too much imagination to just be one gender" says this fearless model who commonly will pose in male and female roles in photo shoots.
Carmen Carrera
Carmen originally debuted on season three of "Ru Paul's Drag Race" as a man. Today she identifies as female and rocks her gorgeous look as an advocate of LGBT rights.
Molly Bair
Her height (she's 6-foot-1) and facial features earned her nicknames like "praying mantis" and "alien" as a child, but she parlayed that look into massive success. At 17, she's already New York Fashion Week's newest breakout star, having walked for DKNY.