Creative Director ANYA @anyarowa
Photographer EDGARS @hecmatyars
Stylist MARTINS @mlindenbergs
Makeup, Hair LAURA SOPELE @laurasopele
Designer IRINA DZHUS @dzhus.conceptual.wear
Nails SANTA @rundzane.s
Model ANYA @anyarowa
Agency ANTISUPERMODEL @antisupermodel
Words by Kimberly Haddad
In today’s culture, we are relentlessly inundated with images of idealized faces and bodies through social media, magazines, and television. The dominance of influencers, celebrities, and models adhering to society’s narrow standards of beauty has fostered a troubling trend of homogenization, where individuality is sacrificed for conformity. This pervasive issue is particularly detrimental to impressionable young people, who are in the crucial stages of developing their sense of self, making it challenging to embrace their uniqueness without feeling shame or insecurity about their appearance. However, model Anna Koskarova is courageously embracing her distinct identity to spearhead positive change and awareness.
Standing at a height of 147 cm (approximately 4 feet 9 inches), Koskarova confronts Turner Syndrome and the industry’s biases against disabilities and short stature. The media often portrays individuals like Koskarova as peculiar and undeserving of acceptance, perpetuating damaging stereotypes and prejudices. This lack of diversity and inclusivity exacerbates the challenges for people with congenital anomalies to feel valued and included.
Determined to effect change, Koskarova has launched a captivating photo project that redefines her disability as a source of empowerment. Through her striking visuals, she reimagines her stature as a butterfly embodying the X chromosome, symbolizing metamorphosis from the confines of oversized clothing to a butterfly representing growth, liberation, and self-acceptance. Additionally, her choice of towering platform heels accentuates her petite frame, transforming a rare physical trait into a fearless artistic rescript.
Your entry into the modeling industry is a courageous step, especially considering its historical emphasis on strict standards. What initially inspired you to pursue a career in modeling, and how has your experiences shaped your views on inclusivity within fashion?
I studied sculpture and product design, and I came to realize that design, in its current state, doesn’t cater to me as a user in any aspect. I remember a lecture about Dieter Rams’ book 10 Principles of Good Design. As I listened, it became clear that I didn’t exist as a user. I am left-handed, I have a disability, and I am very short. I didn’t fit into any category of modeling. Later, I watched Sinead Burke’s TED Talk, “Why Design Should Include Everyone,” and that’s when I understood the importance of taking action if even one person in the world is speaking up about this issue. My solution is to use modeling as a way to bring visibility to it. In order for short models to have a place in the industry, their voices need to be heard first.
As a model with both a disability and a petite stature, you have likely faced unique challenges in the industry. Can you share some specific obstacles you’ve encountered and how you’ve navigated or overcome these moments?
Sometimes on set, people come up to me and ask if I have lost my mom. There have been instances when arriving at a casting or a shoot where I’ve heard stylists criticize me for being really short, saying that it’s hard to find clothing for me and that I’m not a “real” model. When that happens, I just thank them and leave. My height often leads to misunderstandings, from random strangers to professionals in the industry. These types of judgments used to hurt and make me feel insecure. But over time, I have realized that for any collaboration to be truly meaningful, there must be a match in values. If someone views short height as a sign of unprofessionalism or childishness, then clearly, we are not meant to work together.
You mentioned that the greatest difficulty for many individuals with disabilities is not the disability itself but the lack of awareness in society. How do you think the fashion industry can improve awareness and challenge stereotypes through its representation?
One of my epileptic seizures ended with someone filing a police report. An eyewitness assumed I was acting unstable, and that was even more painful. This isn’t just about everyday life though. It is an issue that extends into media, fashion, and advertising. The fashion industry is a powerful tool for shaping perception, and models in campaigns are more than just faces; they’re images people identify with. When only “perfect” faces are shown, anyone outside that mold continues to feel like they don’t belong. For representation to truly work, it has to be an organic part of a brand’s philosophy, not a one-time gesture, but a system. When a brand suddenly shifts its values and adds diversity out of nowhere, it feels disingenuous, and the audience senses that. The choice of models should naturally reflect the brand’s message. Most importantly, inclusion campaigns should be led by the people they’re about, not to evoke pity, but to show strength, individuality, and the right to simply be.
Those with disabilities and non-standard body types often struggle to find clothing that fits their needs. What strategies do you believe brands can implement to enhance their inclusive design practices, both in terms of product creation and marketing efforts?
Inclusion shouldn’t be built alone. It is a team effort. For design to work for non-standard body types, there needs to be dialogue. People with disabilities must be able to speak openly about their real needs, and it is the role of the designers to listen, understand, and create beautiful, functional, and accessible products. The same applies to marketing. As long as issues go unaddressed, they remain invisible. Real change only becomes possible when those facing barriers come together and speak out via social media or other platforms. Inclusion is a collaborative process, and if each side takes a step toward the other, we move beyond mere adaptation to full participation into society.
The media has traditionally upheld narrow beauty standards, often sidelining those who don’t fit into conventional categories. How do you envision the media transforming to genuinely represent people with disabilities or different body types in a positive light?
To be seen and understood should not be a privilege, but the foundation of equal participation. Positive representation shouldn’t be a one-time act of goodwill. When the media only features “special editions” about “special people,” it only reinforces the sense of being an exception. It’s important for diverse identities and body types to appear naturally, regularly, and in various formats, whether on screen, in print, in advertising, or on the runway. If we want to change the perception of what’s “normal,” diversity needs to become part of the everyday, not a moment, but the backdrop.
How has your work as a model impacted your self-confidence, and what advice do you have for others looking to boost their own confidence, especially if they feel marginalized in society?
Working in the modeling industry has helped me to realize that I can be attractive. Up until I was 18, I had never felt feminine or sexy. I looked and felt like a “boy in a sack” because the only clothes that fit me were children’s sizes. But such clothes don’t accentuate the figure or create a sense of maturity or attractiveness. Modeling showed me that I can be different, that I can be refined, strong, delicate, and vibrant. The advice I would give around confidence is to start with your environment. Find people who believe in you and support you. Sometimes, all it takes is one kind word to shift something inside of you. Confidence is something that can be cultivated, especially when you have people around you who can help you grow it.
Looking toward the future, what changes would you most like to see in the fashion and media industries regarding diversity, and how do you see yourself contributing to these changes?
I dream of seeing an industry where diversity is not a trend, but a reality. I’d like to see an indus- try with models of different heights, body types, health conditions, and appearances that don’t surprise people because they are seen as a natural part of visual culture. I would love for brands and media to not add diversity as an afterthought, but to integrate it into their core values and philosophy from the start. I want to be part of this change, not only through my modeling work, but also through personal projects, content, and using my voice. If my story inspires even one person to feel that they have the right to be themselves, then I will have already contributed to a future I want to live in.
