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Zinnia Kumar

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Zinnia Kumar
Born
Zinnia Kumar

Sydney, Australia[1]
Alma mater
Occupations
  • Model
  • Scientist
Modeling information
Height1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
Hair colorBlack
Eye colorBrown
Agency
Websitewww.zinniakumar.com

Zinnia Kumar is an Australian fashion model and scientist.[2][3] She is the first Indian model to cover Vogue Australia, and the first Ecologist to cover any edition of Vogue in 128 years.[4][5] Her science communication intersects human culture and the environment covering sustainability, belonging, mental health and human behaviour.[6][7][8] She is an ecologist (accredited by the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management) and a sustainability and well-being psychologist.[9][1][10][2]

Career

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Fashion modelling

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Kumar has appeared on magazine covers for Vogue Australia, Harpers Bazaar Australia, Vogue India, Russh, Jones, CAP74024, Love Want, More or Less and Porter which called her a 'Force of Nature'.[5][11] Kumar rose to prominence as the first South Asian Australian (and first Indian) to cover Vogue Australia in 62 years.[5] Kumar was recognised in 2019 as one of 'the 50 Most Influential Global Indians' by Vogue India[12][13] and in 2021 was nominated as a 'Social Mover and change maker' by models.com.[14][5]

Kumar has since 2019 featured in publications Russh, Interview Magazine, Another Magazine, British Vogue, Vogue China, Vogue Singapore, Vogue France, Vogue Italia, Vogue Germany, Vogue Korea, CAP74024, Vogue India[13], Vogue Australia, Harpers Bazaar (US), Harpers Bazaar Australia and walked shows for Dior, Jacquemus and Vivienne Westwood among others.[5]

Noted for her sense of style, combining vintage and vamp aesthetics, Kumar has attended red carpets and sat front row at Miu Miu, Chanel, Rabanne, Victoria Beckham, Jacquemus, Mugler, Boss, Ellie Saab, Balenciaga, British Fashion Awards, the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre opening and the Paris Opera Ballet charity gala.[15][16][17][18] In 2022, Kumar created a viral sustainable red carpet moment for the British Fashion Awards, wearing an upcycled Yohji Yamamoto dress and sustainable diamonds from Chopard.[19][20]

In film she has featured in Wonder Woman as an Amazonian warrior.[21]

Zinnia Kumar’s path to modelling was far from straightforward. Initially scouted, she faced rejection from every agency in her birth country due to her race.[3][22] Australian agencies bluntly stated, “We only take Anglos or half-Anglos,” and dismissed Indian models.[3] Frustrated by racism, Zinnia abandoned her modelling aspirations and relocated to the UK to study.[3] In the UK, she was approached by a model scout for the second time in her life and ultimately signed as a model.[23][3]

Kumar co-founded The Dotted Line, a social impact-driven advertising agency combining psychology and art to mindfully push for fresh narratives and challenge sustainability and diversity within the fashion industry.[24][25][2]

Ecology, sustainability and environmentalism

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Zinnia's environmentalism work covers conservation, ecology, sustainability and fashion.[25] Primarily communicating via keynotes and talks, podcasts, interviews, journalism and consulting with organisations.[26][1][27] She has presented for G20, FIT NY[28], British Fashion Council, Vogue, Cancer Council, Australasian Evolution Society, Design Council[29], Australian Museum, The Australian, CFS+,[30] Save Soil,[9] Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC),[9] Harvard Medical School[9] among others.[7][3] Her talks have covered prevention of eco fatigue, eco-anxiety,[9] sustainability meeting inclusion[28] supporting organisational sustainable staff against burnout,[29] sustainable innovation for change,[31] green scepticism[30] among others.[7][3][2]

Kumar is the first ecologist to cover any international edition of Vogue Magazine in 128 years.[4][5] She presented, wrote, co-directed and produced a three part documentary series focussing on technological sustainable innovations in the fashion industry.[32]

She is a field conservation ecologist accredited by the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Managers, and worked with Little Blue Penguins, invertebrates and wetland birds for organisations such as the New South Wales Environment Protection Authority, Birdlife and the Australian Department of Environment primarily in the Australian outback.[33][2][34][3]

Human behavioural ecology and belonging

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Kumar's keynote talks and research covers diversity, equity, inclusion, social belonging, racism, sexual attraction and colorism; her work has been published in scientific journals and featured on TV, talks and print journalism.[8][35][36] She published research looking at negative frequency dependant selection on human attractiveness, researching men's beards and women's hair colour under the social condition of rarity; her research coined the cultural phenomenon of 'Peak beard'.[37][38][39][40]

She researched the psychological disempowerment of women from colorism in India,[3] and has talked about how colorism appears in beauty advertising, casting and affects victims psychologically and socio-economically, a factor leading 1000's of women per year worldwide to suicide, urging brands to increase dark skin representation.[41][3][42]

In 2020 Zinnia became a member of the Vogue Values Diversity Council after presenting a case to News Corp and Vogue Australia about the lack of historic diversity at the publication.[25] During her role as councillor she gave keynote talk at Vogue Codes on the origins of beauty stereotypes originating in scientific racism titled "The politics of beauty: Science, identity and representation in media".[43] She also advocated for the first dark skinned indigenous Australian, actress Magnolia Maymuru, the first Indian actress, Priyanka Chopra and the first Korean-Australian, singer Roseanne Park to be on the cover of Australian Vogue for the first time in 62 years.[44] In 2021 Zinnia was nominated by models.com as a Social Mover and Change Maker.[14]

Zinnia has spoken about the glass ceiling and stereotypes Indian and South Asian models continue to face within the fashion industry.[45][2][23] She has personally scouted and mentored minority background models, which led her to co-found boutique management firm In the fashion industry with talent manager Karan Makol for racial minority talent.[45][44][23][46]

Education and empowerment

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For her humanitarian work, empowering disadvantaged girls in Australia, India and Thailand through direct educational mentorship and motivation, she was awarded a Rotary Youth Leadership Award and was selected as a youth ambassador for the Australian Government, Department of Foreign Affairs.[47][7]

Personal life

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Zinnia Kumar was born in Sydney, Australia to Indian parents and grew up in Sydney's south-western suburbs.[3][8] She is a 5th generation Indian immigrant, and her family have lived in Oceania since 1879.[48][49] She has North Indian, South Indian & East Indian ancestry.[13]

Zinnia is neurodivergent and has been diagnosed as having Asperger's syndrome a form of autism spectrum disorder.[2][50] She had severe social anxiety[25] and over came it by training in speaking and presenting at the National Institute of Dramatic Art and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, she has been a member of Toastmasters International (Public Speaking Society) for a decade and is a member of The Oxford Union.[7][51]

She attended a disadvantaged public high school and self learned her final year studies.[6] Zinnia Kumar attended University of New South Wales for a Bachelor of Advanced Science, in Ecology and Human Evolutionary Biology with First Class honours,[3] she matriculated at Brasenose College, Oxford University for an MPhil in Modern South Asian Studies,[52] and holds an MSc in Industrial, Organisational and Business Psychology from University College London.[2][25]

Authored articles

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  • "Lust for Change". Russh. 3 March 2022.
  • "Fairness Creams Continue To Amplify Light Skin Supremacy & Anti-Blackness". Homegrown India. 8 June 2021.
  • "Belonging, discrimination and the importance of storytelling". Vogue Australia. 11 March 2021.
  • "The difference between genuine and performative sustainability in fashion". Common Interest. 16 April 2021.
  • "Holding Up A Mirror". Vogue Australia. 9 February 2021.
  • "Hope Springs: In conversation with Professor Sarah Gilbert". Vogue Australia. 13 December 2020.
  • "Jameela Jamil on body image, therapy and the patriarchy". The Australian. 22 November 2020.
  • "Negative frequency-dependent preferences and variation in male facial hair". Biology letters (Royal Society). 1 April 2014
  • "Are Preferences for Women’s Hair Color Frequency-Dependent?" Adaptive Human Behaviour and Physiology. 19 September 2014

References

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  1. ^ a b c "My Fashion Life: Zinnia Kumar AW19". www.matchesfashion.com. Retrieved 31 May 2020.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h Maher, Dani (3 April 2024). "Zinnia Kumar: Beyond the superficial". Harper's Bazaar Australia. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Sauce chats with Zinnia Kumar – Published Scientist, activist & model". Sauce. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
  4. ^ a b "Megha Kapoor ushers in a new era for Vogue India". www.condenast.com. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
  5. ^ a b c d e f "Zinnia Kumar – Model". models.com. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
  6. ^ a b "Scientist and model Zinnia Kumar on colourism, the serious issue of skin colour stigma in South Asia and why science and spirituality can co-exist. – Offline, The Podcast: Honest Conversations About True Self". Spotify. 6 June 2020. Retrieved 16 October 2020.
  7. ^ a b c d e Porter, Magazine (9 August 2021). "Porter Magazine Cover Story Zinnia Kumar". Netaporter.
  8. ^ a b c Kumar, Zinnia (11 March 2021). "Model Zinnia Kumar on belonging and the importance of storytelling". Vogue Australia. Retrieved 2 January 2022.
  9. ^ a b c d e "How to Tackle Eco-Anxiety, According to the Experts | Psychology Today Australia". www.psychologytoday.com. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
  10. ^ Ferere, Cassell. "H&M Conscious Exclusive A/W20 Collection Is Giving Evening Wear Fashion A New Life". Forbes. Retrieved 24 April 2021.
  11. ^ Randone, Amanda (9 August 2022). "Force of Nature with Zinnia Kumar". Net-A-Porter. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
  12. ^ "January 2019 Issue". Vogue India.
  13. ^ a b c "49 incredible Indian women who are creating legacies across the globe". Vogue India. 5 February 2019. Retrieved 8 March 2019.
  14. ^ a b "StackPath". models.com. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
  15. ^ "Zinnia Kumar Pictures and Photos". www.gettyimages.com.au. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
  16. ^ "7 times model and scientist Zinnia Kumar was the best-dressed in the room". Vogue India. 2 January 2022. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
  17. ^ "How Zinnia Kumar created a vintage red carpet moment using an archival Yohji Yamamoto gown from 1994". Vogue India. 23 December 2022. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
  18. ^ "Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Maya Jama and Munroe Bergdorf among the best dressed at the Fashion Awards 2022". Glamour UK. 5 December 2022. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
  19. ^ "How Zinnia Kumar created a vintage red carpet moment using an archival Yohji Yamamoto gown from 1994". Vogue India. 23 December 2022. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
  20. ^ Zinnia Kumar Gets Ready For The British Fashion Awards | Vogue India. Retrieved 3 May 2024 – via www.youtube.com.
  21. ^ "Zinnia Kumar". IMDb. Retrieved 13 March 2017.
  22. ^ Kumar, Zinnia (11 March 2021). "Model Zinnia Kumar on belonging, discrimination and the importance of storytelling". Retrieved 4 May 2024.
  23. ^ a b c ""This show with Dior will launch the careers of Indian faces who would otherwise not get an opportunity to exist or access high fashion. " Zinnia Kumar on 10 years of breaking South Asian stereotypes". Perfect˙. Retrieved 17 October 2023.
  24. ^ Magazine, Jones (27 February 2023). "Meet Zinnia Kumar: Ecologist, Writer, Model, and Activist". David Jones. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
  25. ^ a b c d e "More or Less Mag". www.moreorlessmag.com. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
  26. ^ "The Ecologist With A Color Correcting Lip Stain". Into The Gloss. 20 May 2021. Retrieved 30 December 2021.
  27. ^ "About Zinnia". Zinnia Kumar. Retrieved 16 October 2020.
  28. ^ a b Where Sustainability Meets Inclusion. Retrieved 11 May 2024 – via www.youtube.com.
  29. ^ a b Lunchtime heroes: Sara Vaughan, Phoebe English & Zinnia Kumar. Retrieved 11 May 2024 – via www.youtube.com.
  30. ^ a b CFS+ Keynote | Zinnia Kumar. Retrieved 11 May 2024 – via www.youtube.com.
  31. ^ Lee x H&M | The conversations: Zinnia Kumar & Helena Helmersson | H&M. Retrieved 11 May 2024 – via www.youtube.com.
  32. ^ "For a World that Works". Lee. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
  33. ^ "Little Penguin research". Little Penguin research. 4 December 2012. Retrieved 14 November 2018.
  34. ^ Ferere, Cassell. "H&M Conscious Exclusive A/W20 Collection Is Giving Evening Wear Fashion A New Life". Forbes. Retrieved 30 December 2021.
  35. ^ "Scientist and model Zinnia Kumar on colourism, the serious issue of skin colour stigma in South Asia and why science and spirituality can co-exist. – Offline, The Podcast: Honest Conversations About True Self". Spotify. 6 June 2020. Retrieved 16 October 2020.
  36. ^ "Zinnia Kumar Reflects On The Real Meaning of Beauty". www.vervemagazine.in. 29 December 2016. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
  37. ^ Chamary, J. V. "Destiny, The Game That Could Predict 'Peak Beard'". Forbes. Retrieved 30 June 2024.
  38. ^ "Beard trend is 'guided by evolution'". BBC News. 16 April 2014. Retrieved 30 June 2024.
  39. ^ Berman, Mark (26 October 2021). "A new study says we may have reached 'peak beard'". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 30 June 2024.
  40. ^ Stewart, Dan (16 April 2014). "If We Have Reached 'Peak Beard' It's Bad News for Men Everywhere". TIME. Retrieved 30 June 2024.
  41. ^ Colourism and The Politics of Beauty with Zinnia Kumar. Retrieved 11 May 2024 – via www.youtube.com.
  42. ^ Kumar, Zinnia (8 June 2021). "Fairness Creams Continue To Amplify Light Skin Supremacy & Anti-Blackness". Homegrown. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
  43. ^ The Politics of Beauty with Zinnia Kumar & Edwina McCann. Retrieved 11 May 2024 – via www.youtube.com.
  44. ^ a b "Zinnia Kumar on the Science of Beauty in Contemporary Culture by What's Contemporary Now?". Spotify for Podcasters. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
  45. ^ a b "Incredible Women: Sustainability, stigma, and science, with Zinnia Kumar su Apple Podcasts". Apple Podcasts (in Italian). Retrieved 4 May 2024.
  46. ^ "All Talent". TheDottedLine. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
  47. ^ "Zinnia Kumar on Dismantling Beauty Standards & DIY Skincare". Rose Inc. Retrieved 30 December 2021.
  48. ^ "Reads|Zinnia Kumar". Reluxe Fashion. Retrieved 17 October 2023.
  49. ^ "Episode Seven | Zinnia Kumar| This Is A Token". www.alexmonroe.com. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  50. ^ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
  51. ^ Sinha, Arushi (2 January 2022). "8 things you should know about Vogue India's latest cover personality, Zinnia Kumar". Vogue India. Retrieved 28 September 2024.
  52. ^ The Brazen Nose (PDF). University of Oxford, Brasenose College. 2018. p. 29.
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