For me Mix-d: Face is such an exciting contest. As someone who is mixed race, until I found Mix-d: I can honestly say that I had never come across anything that was aimed specifically at mixed race people. This isn’t to say that I ever wanted special treatment from the world; it is just that as a mixed race person I wanted to be recognised.

When I met with the Mix-d: team earlier this year I felt like I had found a positive voice that I could relate to. I joined the team in March, and haven’t looked back!

Mix-d: Face is recognising mixed race people and giving them a voice in one of the biggest industries in this country, Fashion.  It is not about the exclusion of people that are not mixed race, but the inclusion of a part of society that is often felt ignored or left out. It is about giving a place for those people to feel part of something and to be recognised

That voice or representation isn’t there at the moment for mixed race people. And until it is we need events like Mix-d: Face.

Last year Mix-d: Face broke new ground. It was the first professional mixed race model contest in the UK. It also stretched our own comfort zones and took Mix-d: as an organisation into new territories.

We were asked many times if it was ethical. Some people were asking if it drew more attention to something that was best not put under a spotlight. To be honest, although we felt reasonably confident, we couldn’t be 100% sure ourselves until we tried it.

The night itself – 30 October 2010 – answered all the questions. The event proceeded with elegance and dignity. Twenty incredible young people paced out a new territory for mixed heritage. No-one ran, no-one stumbled. After a successful night last year, we are doing it all again this year…only bigger and better!

This year, the fund raising event will help develop our Parenting Pack, sharing guidance and support. There are plenty of ways to get on board and get involved – keep up with all the latest news and events at our facebook page and twitter.