British Heritage
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Jourdan Dunn
A Torchbearer of Diversity and Excellence in British Fashion Heritage.
Jourdan Sherise Dunn, born on 3 August 1990, is a renowned British supermodel who has greatly influenced the fashion industry worldwide. Not only has Dunn shattered industry stereotypes, but she has also paved the way for a more diverse, inclusive, and equitable fashion world. Her unique story, marked by a meteoric rise to fame from a humble background, and her illustrious career, have made her an integral part of British heritage.
Born in Brent, London, Jourdan Dunn was raised in Greenford alongside her mother. Dunn's heritage is a blend of Jamaican, Grenadian, and Syrian-Lebanese descent. Dunn attended Elthorne Park High School in Hanwell and, despite her initial self-consciousness about her height and weight, she soon began to entertain thoughts of a career in modelling, fuelled by frequent suggestions from those around her.
Her pathway into the world of fashion began when an agent from Storm Management discovered her at a Primark in Hammersmith, London in 2006. At the tender age of 15, Dunn, unaware of the whirlwind of success that lay ahead, was catapulted into the fashion industry.
In 2008, Dunn made history as the first black model to grace a Prada runway in over a decade, signalling a subtle shift towards greater inclusivity in an industry notorious for its lack of diversity. Throughout her career, Dunn has often been the only black model in shows, a fact she has consistently used to spotlight the industry's dire need for diversity.
From her runway debut in the New York shows in autumn 2007, Dunn's career soared. She became a staple on international runways, walking for the biggest designers in the industry. Over time, Dunn has accumulated an impressive portfolio, featuring on the cover of esteemed fashion magazines such as Vogue, Elle, and W Magazine, and working with renowned brands like Burberry, Calvin Klein, and Victoria's Secret.
In July 2008, the esteemed photographer Steven Meisel chose Dunn for the cover of Vogue Italia's issue dedicated entirely to black models, another significant milestone in her career and for representation within the industry. Dunn's image has graced the covers of American, British, Japanese, and Brazilian editions of Vogue, among others.
Alongside her modelling achievements, Dunn is equally renowned for her activism. She has used her platform to fight for more diversity in the modelling industry, citing incidents where she was turned away because clients "didn't want any more black girls". Her outspokenness on these issues has shone a spotlight on the need for change within the industry.
Moreover, Dunn's philanthropy, particularly her work raising awareness for Sickle-cell disease, has been instrumental in her journey. Her dedication to activism and philanthropy was recognised in 2015 when she won the "Inspiration Award" at the Glamour Women of the Year Awards.
Throughout her career, Dunn has received numerous accolades that cement her place in the annals of British fashion history. She was named "Model of the Year" at the British Fashion Awards in both 2008 and 2015. Moreover, Dunn's contribution to the British fashion industry was recognised on an international scale when Forbes listed her in their 2014 top-earning models list, the first Black British model to make the list.
In a distinctive moment of British fashion history, Dunn was one of the select models to participate in the 2012 Summer Olympics closing ceremony. She joined the ranks of Naomi Campbell and Kate Moss, wearing a gold and white gown designed by Jonathan Saunders.
Dunn has not limited her talent to the runway. She has embarked on entrepreneurial ventures, such as her kidswear clothing collection "Lil' LonDunn by Jourdan Dunn", launched with Marks & Spencer. Her collaboration with British fashion retailer Missguided in 2017 led to a significant increase in the company's revenue. Furthermore, Dunn's television appearances and her YouTube cooking show, Well Dunn, underscore her versatile talent.
Jourdan Dunn's legacy extends beyond her modelling career. She represents the empowerment of a generation of black women in an industry that has long been criticised for its lack of diversity. Her commitment to pushing boundaries, coupled with her unwavering dedication to philanthropy and activism, has firmly established her as an icon of British heritage.
In conclusion, Jourdan Dunn stands tall as a shining beacon of resilience, passion, and excellence in the British fashion industry. Her story of triumph over societal norms and stereotypes resonates deeply with the ethos of British heritage, underlining the importance of inclusivity and diversity in shaping a more equitable world.
Early Life and Path to Modelling
Born in Brent, London, Jourdan Dunn was raised in Greenford alongside her mother. Dunn's heritage is a blend of Jamaican, Grenadian, and Syrian-Lebanese descent. Dunn attended Elthorne Park High School in Hanwell and, despite her initial self-consciousness about her height and weight, she soon began to entertain thoughts of a career in modelling, fuelled by frequent suggestions from those around her.
Her pathway into the world of fashion began when an agent from Storm Management discovered her at a Primark in Hammersmith, London in 2006. At the tender age of 15, Dunn, unaware of the whirlwind of success that lay ahead, was catapulted into the fashion industry.
Breaking Barriers and Building a Legacy
In 2008, Dunn made history as the first black model to grace a Prada runway in over a decade, signalling a subtle shift towards greater inclusivity in an industry notorious for its lack of diversity. Throughout her career, Dunn has often been the only black model in shows, a fact she has consistently used to spotlight the industry's dire need for diversity.
From her runway debut in the New York shows in autumn 2007, Dunn's career soared. She became a staple on international runways, walking for the biggest designers in the industry. Over time, Dunn has accumulated an impressive portfolio, featuring on the cover of esteemed fashion magazines such as Vogue, Elle, and W Magazine, and working with renowned brands like Burberry, Calvin Klein, and Victoria's Secret.
In July 2008, the esteemed photographer Steven Meisel chose Dunn for the cover of Vogue Italia's issue dedicated entirely to black models, another significant milestone in her career and for representation within the industry. Dunn's image has graced the covers of American, British, Japanese, and Brazilian editions of Vogue, among others.
Unwavering Activism and Philanthropy
Alongside her modelling achievements, Dunn is equally renowned for her activism. She has used her platform to fight for more diversity in the modelling industry, citing incidents where she was turned away because clients "didn't want any more black girls". Her outspokenness on these issues has shone a spotlight on the need for change within the industry.
Moreover, Dunn's philanthropy, particularly her work raising awareness for Sickle-cell disease, has been instrumental in her journey. Her dedication to activism and philanthropy was recognised in 2015 when she won the "Inspiration Award" at the Glamour Women of the Year Awards.
The Powerhouse of the British Fashion Industry
Throughout her career, Dunn has received numerous accolades that cement her place in the annals of British fashion history. She was named "Model of the Year" at the British Fashion Awards in both 2008 and 2015. Moreover, Dunn's contribution to the British fashion industry was recognised on an international scale when Forbes listed her in their 2014 top-earning models list, the first Black British model to make the list.
In a distinctive moment of British fashion history, Dunn was one of the select models to participate in the 2012 Summer Olympics closing ceremony. She joined the ranks of Naomi Campbell and Kate Moss, wearing a gold and white gown designed by Jonathan Saunders.
Entrepreneurship and Business Ventures
Dunn has not limited her talent to the runway. She has embarked on entrepreneurial ventures, such as her kidswear clothing collection "Lil' LonDunn by Jourdan Dunn", launched with Marks & Spencer. Her collaboration with British fashion retailer Missguided in 2017 led to a significant increase in the company's revenue. Furthermore, Dunn's television appearances and her YouTube cooking show, Well Dunn, underscore her versatile talent.
A Pioneering Legacy
Jourdan Dunn's legacy extends beyond her modelling career. She represents the empowerment of a generation of black women in an industry that has long been criticised for its lack of diversity. Her commitment to pushing boundaries, coupled with her unwavering dedication to philanthropy and activism, has firmly established her as an icon of British heritage.
In conclusion, Jourdan Dunn stands tall as a shining beacon of resilience, passion, and excellence in the British fashion industry. Her story of triumph over societal norms and stereotypes resonates deeply with the ethos of British heritage, underlining the importance of inclusivity and diversity in shaping a more equitable world.
- Jourdan Dunnen.wikipedia.org
