Industry Access: Mentoring Matters and Who Gets In

In an industry where who you know can carry as much weight as what you know, access can shape a career trajectory before it even begins. For many looking to break into fashion, beauty, and media, the barriers to entry are not always about talent. They can be about knowing where to look for an opportunity, having the right network, affording a formal education, or simply having someone willing to open a door. That is part of the work Mentoring Matters is committed to changing. Through its global mentorship program, the organization connects emerging talent, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds, with established professionals across fashion, beauty, and media. In collaboration with the organization, Models.com hosted the next installment of Industry Access: Who Gets In?, moderated by Models.com Features Editor and Mentoring Matters alum Anire Ikomi. The conversation brought together four of the program’s former mentors, including founder Laura Edwards, renowned hairstylist and Echelon Noir co-founder Jawara, Harper’s Bazaar U.S. Executive Digital Director Lynette Nylander, and Supreme’s Director of Strategic Costing Jessica Lin. The discussion went beyond the question of who gets into the industry and explored what it actually takes to sustain a career. Panelists spoke candidly about taking risks, being obsessed with your craft, and the importance of staying adaptable in an industry where the path forward is rarely linear. As artificial intelligence continues