Jillian Mercado has always been a lover of fashion, and she grew up admiring the modeling work of iconic beauties like Naomi Campbell and Kate Moss. She just never thought that she could ever be in the same conversation as them, much less be signed as a model to one of the top agencies. Everything changed when artistic director Nicola Formichetti selected Jillian during an open casting call to be part of Diesel’s SS15 ad campaign. Yet, even then, Jillian wasn’t sure about the future of her modeling career. Modeling had never been a major goal of hers, but when she saw how positively people reacted to (and were affected) the campaign, it fueled her drive to keep booking jobs and landing meetings with agencies. These days, Jillian is represented by IMG Models and is one of the faces of Beyoncé’s 2016 Formation tour merchandise. No big deal.
“I feel like a lot of people look at people with disabilities and instantly (maybe subconsciously) categorize them into this tiny box. I am human just like you. I am just as capable as you and I don’t ever want or need pity.”
Jillian is clearly stunning, with her own unique style. Yet, what makes her even more interesting is that she is a person with a disability — she was born with muscular dystrophy and uses a wheelchair. Yet, her disability doesn’t define her: “I have a disability — it doesn’t have me. It is a part of me but it is not who I am. Just like my hair or what color shoes I have on [doesn’t] decide who I am as a person.” With this newfound visibility in a sector notorious for perpetuating unrealistic beauty standards, she clearly is making a positive impact and is embracing her new role as a disability activist: “I never signed up to be an activist but it kind of came with the territory. And I’m not complaining because I wholeheartedly believe in everything I speak out on. My motivation really comes from the hundreds of people that contact me online and confide in me and tell me how just seeing my image or reading one of my interviews has helped them. I’ve realized that I am somehow now in the position to use my voice to speak for millions who will never get the chance to and I don’t take that lightly…Knowledge truly is power and enlightening the ignorant creates a ripple effect that I believe would be a great start to a better existence.”
Jillian recognizes a major stigma toward people with disabilities is the misconception that they’re not capable of doing the same things as everyone else: “I feel like a lot of people look at people with disabilities and instantly (maybe subconsciously) categorize them into this tiny box. I am human just like you. I am just as capable as you and I don’t ever want or need pity.” Nevertheless, she never doubted that she would find success in the industry: “Did I know how much success or how the hell I would do it? No. Rising to the top of any industry is no easy task but the fashion industry especially is very intimidating. Putting the blinders on when it comes to caring what people think really helped me push forward and continue to work as hard as I can.”
The formula for well-deserved success is always the same: work…and then work some more.” Although she has had some setbacks due to discrimination toward people with disabilities, it has never deterred her from pursuing her career goals, and if anything, has motivated her to work even harder: “People didn’t think I could keep my modeling career afloat after the Diesel campaign? Cool! How about I book a Nordstrom catalogue and sign to the biggest modeling agency on the planet? We all can go as far as we’d like if we want it bad enough and put the work in.”
Jillian hopes that her success and greater visibility is changing the fashion industry and that it will eventually lead to a shift from more conventional, oppressive, and often unrealistic beauty standards: “I do see more inclusion as the years go on, but I won’t be satisfied until casting someone who looks different and is beautiful in their own way doesn’t even have to make headlines and be a big conversation. That will be a life of true acceptance and change.”
Posture produced this original editorial and interview with Jillian Mercado for our third print issue.
Photography Kate Owen
Styling/Set Design Phil Gomez
Art Direction Asher Torres
Hair Matthew Green
Makeup Katie Robinson
Posture’s third print issue — The Boss Issue — is now available for purchase. This 168-page magazine features exclusive interviews with artists, theorists, activists, and nightlife icons. The conversations dive deep into ideas of leadership, success, and organizing in queer/trans/non-binary and WOC communities. This issue also represents a new design direction for Posture, one that reflects the mission and purpose of the publication.
Order your copy today through our online shop: shop.posturemag.com.
