A Model With Down Syndrome Stars in Gucci Ads, and 10 More Campaigns That Embrace the Art of Being Yourself

Lately, many ads and campaigns have begun to make statements about diversity, accepting your body, racism awareness, and disabilities. Models of all ages, skin tones, and body types appear on magazine covers and proudly walk the runway. This summer, a young model with a disability was chosen to be the face of Gucci’s newest ’Unconventional Beauty’ campaign that supports non-stereotypical beauty.

We at Bright Side are encouraged by people who are not afraid to be themselves. And we admire the companies that choose to show diversity in their campaigns.

1. Gucci

Ellie Goldstein, an 18-year-old model with Down syndrome loves attention and has always wanted to be famous. Goldstein has never let her condition get in the way of living her life and decided that she wanted to be a model at the age of 15. She enjoys makeup, her beauty icon is Marilyn Monroe, and being in the media makes her feel especially pretty.

On the cover of Vogue magazine, Goldstein is wearing Gucci’s buildable Mascara L’Obscur which was designed for an ’authentic person who uses makeup to tell their story of freedom.’

2. Burger King

This commercial launched by the fast-food chain in Brazil centers around a blind man enjoying a cheeseburger. The story follows a man who playfully shares his opinions on the menu options.

3. Dove

Dove partnered with women and non-binary individuals everywhere to create a #ShowUs project that offers a more diverse image of beauty. #ShowUs is a collection of more than 10,000 images that offer a more inclusive vision of beauty for all media and advertisers to use.

4. Microsoft

This Super Bowl commercial highlighted a new Xbox adaptive controller for people with disabilities. The video briefly spotlights a group of kids and their immense passion for gaming.

5. IMAN Cosmetics

This company produces beauty products for women with skin of color. IMAN Cosmetics launched the campaign ’Melanin Army’ to embrace the beauty of African American, Asian, Latina, and multi-cultural women with skin tones in a myriad of shades.

6. River Island

This brand introduced its #ThisIsFamily campaign that celebrates the diversification of family representation. River Island stands for tolerance and supports love and an open-mind toward diversity.

7. Aerie

This American Eagle lingerie line launched its #AerieREAL campaign to authentically represent the disability community. Aerie selects a group of Role Models, successful women who’ve overcome personal difficulties, to be ambassadors of the brand and its message. Recently, wheelchair-user and Tony Award winning actress, Ali Stroker, joined the #AerieREAL family.

8. Procter & Gamble

This company has a long-running diversity campaign called ’My Black is Beautiful’ that addresses everyday racism. The strategy of the campaign is to release videos about the biases that people of color experience.

9. Savage x Fenty

Rihanna’s Savage x Fenty lingerie brand has launched its #savagexthrivers campaign which addresses women who have dealt with aggressive forms of breast cancer.

10. Billie

Billie calls itself ’the first women’s razor brand to show hair.’ It uses the image of body hair in its advertisements to highlight that removing it is a personal choice.

11. Zebedee

Zebedee represents models with disabilities and visual differences, to create equality in the fashion industry. It works with models who have alternative appearances.

Do you know some other awesome ads or campaigns that pay tribute to diversity?