Minami Gessel is a Gen Z powerhouse

Her fairly unconventional route into modelling is the perfect example of how times have changed. Receiving a message from @thelinebyk asking if she would pose for them, Gessel has since gone on to work with Glossier and Nike, building an impressive portfolio that she’s right to be proud of. ‘It’s crazy that I get to work with brands that I’ve admired for so long,’ she says. ‘But there’s still a lot of work to be done when it comes to progress in the fashion world.’

While Gessel thinks that both the fashion and beauty industries are moving in the right direction by including a more diverse range of women in front of and behind the camera, she wants to see a greater transition into sustainability, which is at the heart of her own style. ‘When it comes to my wardrobe choices, I’m always conscious that the fashion industry urgently needs to make changes towards reducing its carbon footprint,’ she says. ‘So many lower developing countries suffer due to mass consumption of products and something really needs to be done about it.’

Gessel is definitely a force to be reckoned with and her commitment to eliminating marginalisation, promoting sustainability, and breaking down the barriers surrounding inclusivity and diversity within fashion and beauty is inspiring. ‘It’s up to our generation to be involved,’ she says. I think we’re becoming more socially aware, and even though social media is toxic it has made activism more accessible. Marginalised stories are being shared and that’s important.’