Mental health is an extreme problem all around the world. With about 1 in 4 people with mental health challenges, it’s no surprise that the most influential people struggle with it as well. Especially individuals in the fashion industry.

Over the past few years, hundreds of fashion industry stars have opened up about their mental health struggles to decrease the stigma behind the issue. Recently, worldwide sensation, Bella Hadid, opened up about her mental health struggles on Instagram and in the April issue of Vogue magazine. The model hid her struggle for years because of her strong habit of “people-pleasing”. “For three years while I was working, I would wake up every morning hysterical, in tears, alone. - I wouldn’t show anyone that.” The article then continues to describe how Hadid would have a facade at work to hide her pain. On the outside, she was cheerful, professional, and content, but on the inside, she was dying. Hadid was later diagnosed with anxiety and depression, as believed to be a part of her battle with Lyme disease. It was also shocking to the world when the stunning supermodel admitted to her “incredible insecurities.” Showing that even supermodels don’t feel they fit the unmanageable beauty standards of our society. Additionally, Bella Hadid’s November Instagram post opened the world up to reality. The model shared pictures of her “every day, every night” crying. Followed by these photos were kind words to inspire her followers and the world. “I love you, I see you, I hear you.” are just a few of them.

Bella Hadid is not the only fashion icon opening up about mental health struggles. High fashion designer, Marc Jacobs, had a previous struggle with addiction and sought out rehab. He says, “I was running around with models, stylists, fashion people and I would spend nights drinking and partying.” However, Jacobs doesn’t particularly blame the fashion industry itself for his mental health struggles, describing that anyone can have mental health problems, regardless of status. Other designers, like Tom Ford, believe that the industry definitely does have negative effects. The industry's fast pace and high standards can lead to anxiety and depression with all of the pressure.  He states “Fashion is evil ”. 

Fashion icons Kate Spade and Alexander McQueen’s deaths due to suicide after an ongoing battle with depression lead more and more designers like Ford and Jacobs to talk about their personal struggles.

Like Hadid, thousands of other models deeply struggle with their mental health. In an industry where thinness is the standard and any imperfection is criticized, many models are led into eating disorders and body dysmorphic disorders. Models put their lives on the line to be “perfect” for the fashion industry. Luckily, many designers have begun to speak out against unattainable beauty standards. They’ve opened up to people of all genders and sizes, slightly decreasing the pressure on models. There certainly is much more work to be done to fix this issue, but every little change makes a difference. 

In addition to bad self-image, models often struggle with the rigorous process of fashion week. Every year, twice a year, the world’s designers display their newest collections, typically in the months of February, and September. Although models and designers call it fashion week, it really is a fashion month. There is a week of shows in New York City, a week of shows in London, a week of shows in Milan, and finally, the month is topped off with a week in Paris. There is no doubt that fashion week is a glamorous and exciting time, but it is also a disputing time for those working. Models, stylists, designers, and other professionals are up to their necks with work. Last-minute castings with fittings that take up time in between fashion shows, leaving a lack of time to sleep and eat. Hadid left this quote in a Vogue interview, “I’ve had girls in my lap crying to me at 4 in the morning still at fittings for a show when they have another show at 7 a.m. Completely destroyed, hair burned off, haven’t eaten anything, and exhausted to the point where they’re shaking”. 

The exhausted models trudge through the long month and often feel horrible afterwards. After a month of little self-care, it is no wonder that models and other employees can go into deep depressive states during this duration of time and long after. Models have begun to stand up for themselves and their needs, but like the body negativity in the industry, there are still a lot of things that need to be improved.

Overall the fashion industry is a wondrous thing with so many positive aspects. But, in order to love the beauty of it, we must understand the dark sides. Mental health disorders are an ongoing problem, especially in the fashion industry. It is crucial that models, designers, stylists, directors, and other members of the community make a difference to help others around them. As Dutch model, Imaan Hammam said, “As a young girl, I've always dreamed of having a career like this. I think it's so important for me to be able to use my platform and to bring awareness, and especially during these times where there's so much happening in the world. Everyone has a voice, and I think why not use that voice and help women, and tell them to also be bold and be able to break barriers."