According to the National Commission for the Development of the Indigenous Peoples, Oaxaca has the greatest percentage of indigenous people in Mexico. Making up 48% of the population in Oaxaca, Mexico the indigenous group continues to flourish and influence Mexican culture to this day. And yet, despite their prevalence and contributions, Oaxacans remain sorely underrepresented in Mexico and Latin America. Only recently, with the rising attention towards actress Yalitza Aparicio, have most mainstream outlets featured the indigenous people of Oaxaca on their screens and magazine pages.

Fortunately, that doesn’t seem to be slowing down.

Karen Vega broke barriers recently after becoming the first Oaxacan model to be featured in Vogue Mexico. 

Karen Vega has become the first Oaxacan model to grace the pages of Vogue Magazine.

today, young Oaxacan women woke up to find themselves on the pages of Vogue, too. we need more of this.

this is a dream come true. pic.twitter.com/bN8z3gg3z7

— 🌱 (@chvpulina) July 9, 2020

Just 18 years old, the model graced the magazine’s pages and spoke out about the importance of seeing more diversity in the world of fashion. “It is time for new generations to have media that show them expressions of equality and educate them about the differences that make us all beautiful,” Vega told the outlet. “My grain of sand would be to put the focus on the southern woman, our stories, where we come from so that more than just photo models, we can also be an inspiration of another kind.”

According to Vogue Mexico, Vega’s journey began at the age of 14 when she helped her abuelo’s wife with her business as a seamstress.

At the time, Vega helped her measure out the dresses that she made for a local fashion form. According to Vega, she quickly fell in love with the world of fashion and began to dream about modeling as a profession. Using social media sites as her instruction guide, she began to obtain an understanding of what fashion meant. She flipped through the pages of magazines and began connecting with models to understand how to break into the world of modeling. Soon enough, after receiving an invite from the designer Pompi García and the photographer Enrique Leyva to model for part of the production “Magical Realism” in the city of Oaxaca she found herself on the path to a professional career in modeling.

She went on to join García and Leyva’s modeling agency, Talento Espina. The agency strives to represent Oaxacan models and ultimately helped Vega receive an invite to participate in an Autumn-Winter show in Mexico City.

“At first there was a lot of doubt about my participation, because although it was a very nice opportunity, the move and my parents’ confidence to leave was difficult, since it was the first time I was leaving Oaxaca,” Vega told Vogue. Fortunately, Vega’s agency was able to help her older brother come along with her.

Now she’s modeling for big brands like Vogue and says its thanks to her agency which taught her to never tolerate abuse from people who hired her and to speak up. According to Vega, working with her agency has taught her that while pursuing her dreams of modeling will come with its struggles because of her Indigenous origins it’s not at all impossible. 

Notice any needed corrections? Please email us at corrections@wearemitu.com

Dominican-American model Denise Mercedes and her friend Maria Castellanos are showing the world how every body is beautiful. Mercedes, a plus-size model, and Castellanos are sharing a series of TikTok videos showing what the same outfits look like on two different body sizes.

Denise Mercedes is using her TikTok account to celebrate body positivity.

The fashion industry has long been criticized for its impact on unhealthy body images among young women. Recently, the fashion industry has started to change with some fashion designers embracing and celebrating all body types. This has given rise to some plus size models that have become household names.

Mercedes, along with friend Maria Castellanos, is showing the beauty of all body sizes.

Who doesn’t like rocking a little overall every now and then? The outfit is as annoying as a romper but denim is everything so it makes it all worth it. If you have ever wanted to rock some overalls, take them for a spin in your apartment right now.

Never shy away from a little bit of midriff, especially over the summer.

The hotter it gets, the less you want to wear. No one wants to spend the summer sweating. It isn’t a good look. Let your body feel the sun this year and just rock your style, mija.

This bestie brunch chic look is stunning.

The top is all fancy business and the blue jeans make it comfortable and fun. Plus, who doesn’t like a cinched waist via an oversized belt? This is one look that anyone can rock and everyone should.

You can definitely enjoy a comfy t-shirt dress.

Again, the waist belt is all you really need to give your hourglass figure the kind of attention it deserves. Curves are beautiful and something our community knows a lot about. Let’s celebrate them.

It is summer so why not wear a fun summer piece.

Get some safe, socially distanced sun and fresh air this summer. We are all allowed to go outside to get fresh air and spend time being active in parks ad beaches. Don’t gather, obviously, but go get that summer tan you love by walking on the beach if you can.

And, of course, some ’90s-inspired looks are always nice to bring back.

A nice little dress with some black, patent leather boots is a solid look, y’all. As we see here, it is one look that we can all get comfortable wearing around.

READ: How Dressing Up For The Gym Helped Me Start Loving My Plus-Size Body

Notice any needed corrections? Please email us at corrections@wearemitu.com