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UK’s first model agency for people with disabilities and alternative appearances breaks records

Source: Instagram/zebedee_management

Founders’ dreams come true as their models are at last featured in high-profile, mainstream advertising campaigns, proving the inclusion revolution is in full swing.

The inclusion revolution: model with Down syndrome features in Gucci’s most popular Instagram post

Three years ago, while dog-walking together on the beach, Laura Johnson and her sister in law, Zoe Proctor were having a good old moan about the lack of representation of disabled people in the media. It was at that point they decided they wanted to do something about it, and that they would launch their own model and acting agency, Zebedee, solely representing people with disabilities and alternative appearances, and the rest, they say, is history. 

Zebedee now represent hundreds of models across the world, with thousands of bookings under their belt, and are well respected in the industry. 

In the early days, they were often asked, ‘what campaigns would you love to see your models fronting?’ Their answers were very different. As a new mum, Laura dared to imagine a baby with a disability on nappy or baby wipe packaging. Whereas Zoe dreamed of seeing their models representing one of the world’s biggest designer brands. At the time, both of these scenarios seemed almost impossible. 

And this month, amidst a global pandemic, both of their ambitions have been realised, with wonderful Lenny featuring on Pura, and beautiful Ellie for Gucci — one of Gucci’s most popular Instagram posts of all time. As you can imagine, they are both over the moon!

Find Zebedee and their gorgeous models thought their website, Facebook or Instagram — scroll down for a selection of stunning  models from Zebedee Management.

Zebedee is a specialist talent agency created to increase the representation of people who have until now been excluded in the media, including people with disabilities or alternative appearances and trans/non binary.
Established in 2017, Zebedee looks after over 500 models and actors across Europe and the USA with a variety of needs. Zebedee is a specialist talent agency created to increase the representation of people who have until now been excluded in the media, including people with disabilities or alternative appearances and trans/non binary. Source: Facebook/zebedeemanagement
As a new mum, Laura dared to imagine a baby with a disability on nappy or baby wipe packaging. Whereas Zoe dreamed of seeing their models representing one of the world's biggest designer brands. This month those dreams came true.
Zebedee founders Laura Johnson (left) and her sister-in-law, Zoe Proctor (right) As a new mum, Laura dared to imagine a baby with a disability on nappy or baby wipe packaging. Whereas Zoe dreamed of seeing their models representing one of the world’s biggest designer brands. This month those dreams came true. Source: Instagram/Zebedee_Management
“This is EXACTLY what we have been working towards & nothing less than all our talent deserve. Let’s hope this rocks the fashion boat enough to make everyone realise what they have been missing all these years.”
ELLIE! Possibly breaking all the records for likes & comments over on Gucci’s Instagram. “This is EXACTLY what we have been working towards & nothing less than all our talent deserve. Let’s hope this rocks the fashion boat enough to make everyone realise what they have been missing all these years.” Source: Instagram/Gucci
Since then she’s booked regular shoots with some top designers, including a Nike ad that aired during last year’s Women’s World Cup. She recently posed for photographer David PD Hyde for Gucci’s Mascara L’Obscur ad campaign, which was then featured through a partnership with Italian “Vogue.”
Ellie signed with Zebedee Management, a talent agency that represents models with disabilities, after a friend suggested it back in 2017. Since then she’s booked regular shoots with some top designers, including a Nike ad that aired during last year’s Women’s World Cup. She recently posed for photographer David PD Hyde for Gucci’s Mascara L’Obscur ad campaign, which was then featured through a partnership with Italian “Vogue.” Source: Facebook/zebedeemanagement
“I really enjoyed the modeling and loved wearing the Gucci dress. I’m really proud of the photoshoot and would love to be famous. I’m looking forward to modeling for other brands,” she told Metro
For Ellie this marks an important step forward for inclusion in her industry. “I really enjoyed the modeling and loved wearing the Gucci dress. I’m really proud of the photoshoot and would love to be famous. I’m looking forward to modeling for other brands,” she told Metro Source: Facebook/zebedeemanagement
Laura Johnson had dared to imagine a baby with a disability on nappy or baby wipe packaging. This month, the lovely Lenny featured in Pura’s advertising campaign.
Lenny, for Pura Laura Johnson had dared to imagine a baby with a disability on nappy or baby wipe packaging. This month, the lovely Lenny featured in Pura’s advertising campaign. Source: Facebook/zebedeemanagement
Source: Facebook/zebedeemanagement
Source: Facebook/zebedeemanagement
FRANKIE for River Island Source: Facebook/RiverIsland
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Source: Facebook/zebedeemanagement
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Source: Facebook/zebedeemanagement
Source: Facebook/zebedeemanagement
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Source: Facebook/zebedeemanagement
Source: Facebook/zebedeemanagement
Source: Facebook/zebedeemanagement
Source: Facebook/zebedeemanagement
Source: Facebook/zebedeemanagement
Source: Facebook/zebedeemanagement
Source: Facebook/zebedeemanagement
Source: Facebook/zebedeemanagement
Source: Facebook/zebedeemanagement
Source: Facebook/zebedeemanagement

ZEBEDEE WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU

For booking enquiries please fill out our contact form or send an email to info@zebedeetalent.com

For information and enquiries about becoming a model, please click here. Zebedee look forward to hearing from you.

Make an Impact

5 Easy Ways to Truly Be More Inclusive

We all know what it feels like to be excluded, yet we still unintentionally leave people out and/or make inaccurate assumptions all the time. Making people feel welcome is not only important for organisations, it’s also a helpful life skill.  Studies have shown that inclusive people are happier and more creative.  With #metoo and other movements in motion, inclusion is an important topic in these times.  So how can you truly be more inclusive?  A quick hint: it takes more than just participating in that day long work training.  You can start with these five suggestions.