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Jillian Mercado

Jillian Mercado

Jillian Mercado (born April 30, 1987) is an American fashion model represented by IMG Models. As a wheelchair user (due to muscular dystrophy), she is one of the few professional models who has a physical disability in the fashion industry.[3] A prominent figure in the new wave of models challenging beauty ideals in the fashion industry, Mercado is keen to fight the lack of representation of people with disabilities in the fashion industry and their enduring stigma.[4]

Jillian Mercado
Born(1987-04-30)April 30, 1987
New York City, New York, U.S.
OccupationModel and activist
Years active2014–present
Modeling information
Height5 ft 2 in (1.57 m)[1]
Hair colorBlonde
Eye colorBrown
AgencyIMG Models (New York)[2]
Websitewww.manufactured1987.com [17]

Early life

Mercado was born and raised in New York, NY.[5] She is of Dominican ancestry, and has two younger sisters. Diagnosed with spastic muscular dystrophy as a child, she believes her interest in fashion originated from her mother, a dressmaker, and her father, once a shoe salesman.[6] As a fashion merchandising student at New York’s Fashion Institute of Technology from 2006 to 2010, she completed internships at Veranda and Allure magazine. She would continue on to attending Fashion Week for years as a volunteer which ultimately gave her the opportunity to cover events for society photographer Patrick McMullan's PMc Magazine.[7]

Career

In 2014, Mercado featured in her first campaign, for designer denim brand Diesel,[8] which she was selected by Nicola Formichetti. Its success captured the attention of IMG Models President Ivan Bart and landed her a modelling contract with IMG in August 2015.[9][10] She has since starred in several campaigns for Nordstrom as well as in former Vogue Paris editor Carine Roitfeld’s CR Fashion Book where she was photographed by Michael Avedon.[11]

In March 2016, Mercado was announced as one of three models to appear in the latest campaign for Beyoncé's official website, promoting merchandise for the singer's new single and 2016 Formation world tour.[12] Later that spring, she was featured in a Target Corporation marketing campaign that debuted during Telemundo’s Billboard Latin Music Awards.[13] In September 2016, Mercado appeared in the editorial features of Glamour (magazine) and Cosmopolitan (magazine). By the end of that year, Mercado appeared on her first cover for Posture Magazine.[14]

In February 2017, Mercado appeared in an editorial for Galore magazine.[15]

References

[1]
Citation Linkwww.imgmodels.comIMG Models
Sep 27, 2019, 12:28 PM
[2]
Citation Linkmodels.comhttps://models.com/models/jillian-mercado
Sep 27, 2019, 12:28 PM
[3]
Citation Linkwww.vogue.comOkwodu, Janelle (August 26, 2015). "Jillian Mercado Wants to Change the Fashion Industry—Here's How She’s Going to Do It" Vogue.
Sep 27, 2019, 12:28 PM
[4]
Citation Linkwww.theguardian.comHarmon, Steph (March 18, 2016). "Beyonce casts model with muscular dystrophy to promote new products". The Guardian.
Sep 27, 2019, 12:28 PM
[5]
Citation Linkmanufactured1987.comMercado, Jillian. "About". Jillian Mercado official website.
Sep 27, 2019, 12:28 PM
[6]
Citation Linkwww.thedailybeast.com'Wheelchair-bound Blogger Warms Fashion Week Hearts". The Daily Beast US. Feb 7, 2013.
Sep 27, 2019, 12:28 PM
[7]
Citation Linkwww.elleuk.com'Who is Jillian Mercado?". Elle UK. Mar 22, 2016.
Sep 27, 2019, 12:28 PM
[8]
Citation Linkwww.theguardian.comJillian Mercado Diesel Campaign. The Guardian. Jan 2014.
Sep 27, 2019, 12:28 PM
[9]
Citation Linkimgmodels.comJillian Mercado. IMG Models
Sep 27, 2019, 12:28 PM
[10]
Citation Linkwww.dazeddigital.comDazed and Confused. Is this 2015's most important model signing? Jillian Mercado joins IMG – the wheelchair user explains why disability in fashion can no longer be ignored. Emma Hope Allwood
Sep 27, 2019, 12:28 PM
[11]
Citation Linkwww.crfashionbook.comCR Fashion Book. Jillian Mercado
Sep 27, 2019, 12:28 PM
[12]
Citation Linki-d.vice.comi-D. Jillian Mercado stars in Beyonce's new campaign
Sep 27, 2019, 12:28 PM
[13]
Citation Linkwww.washingtonpost.comThe Washington Post. Jillian Mercado made it as a model with a disability. Here’s what she wants next. Caitlin Gibson
Sep 27, 2019, 12:28 PM
[14]
Citation Linkshop.posturemag.comPosture Magazine.
Sep 27, 2019, 12:28 PM
[15]
Citation Linkgaloremag.comGalore Magazine. Jillian Mercado and Ira Chernova Get Real About Romance. Here’s what she wants next. Galore Girl
Sep 27, 2019, 12:28 PM
[16]
Citation Linkmanufactured1987.comOfficial website
Sep 27, 2019, 12:28 PM
[17]
Citation Linkwww.manufactured1987.comwww.manufactured1987.com
Sep 27, 2019, 12:28 PM
[18]
Citation Linkwww.imgmodels.comIMG Models
Sep 27, 2019, 12:28 PM
[19]
Citation Linkmodels.comhttps://models.com/models/jillian-mercado
Sep 27, 2019, 12:28 PM
[20]
Citation Linkwww.vogue.com"Jillian Mercado Wants to Change the Fashion Industry—Here's How She’s Going to Do It"
Sep 27, 2019, 12:28 PM