Meet Rye, ModCloth’s First Trans Model
Rye Silverman modeling some cute ModCloth pieces. Photo: ModCloth
ModCloth, the online store known for its retro-inspired dresses and tight-knit community, has always been one of the most inclusive fashion companies. They’ve championed plus-size (collaborating with blogger Nicolette Mason last year), recently signed a pledge to feature a diverse cast of models, and promised to never use photoshop to enhance or manipulate the bodies pictured on their site. And now they’ve cast a trans model as their face.
As part of their #FashionTruth campaign, they ecommerce shop is inviting their customers and fans to post pictures of themselves in their favorite ModCloth styles and tag it #FashionTruth for a chance to be featured on the website (and win a gift card). This month, the honor went to Rye Silverman, a writer and comedian, who also happens to be a transwoman.
Silverman, who is already a frequent contributor to ModCloth’s Style Gallery (community members submit pictures of their cute outfits), credits the site with giving her the confidence she needed to seek out and develop her own personal style. “The Style Gallery did so much for me in regards to really gaining confidence to both assert my own style, as well as take risks and chances and draw inspiration,” she said in an interview with ModCloth. “Everyone on there is doing so much fun stuff with their clothes, and it’s great to be part of that.”
Just last month, Clean & Clear named transgender teenager Jazz Jennings the face of their new campaign “See the Real Me.” Aside from selling beauty products, it’s also a campaign for social change, encouraging “natural beauty,” whatever that means to you. And in November, Lea T, the trans model first championed by Riccardo Tisci at Givenchy, was named ambassador for hair care line Redken. The fashion and beauty industries, typically considered quite elitist, are taking extraordinary steps toward a more inclusive representation of women (and people) in the media, one that’s having a real influence on the world at large. While they could be considered baby steps, the rest of the world is still incredibly behind.
Fashion has always been a home for those who felt like they didn’t fit in anywhere else, and the industry itself has always prided itself in its acceptance of diverse sexualities and personalities. Thankfully, their actions are now reflecting their words.
More from Yahoo Style:
Blogger Nicolette Mason Talks Queer Fashion On New PBS Show “First Person”
The First and Friendliest Finishing School for Transgender Women
Lane Bryant Shakes Things Up With Super Sexy #ImNoAngel Campaign
