Fashion magazines have rarely been inclusive. They peddle the idea that perfection is possible — and that often means being white, thin, and straight. However, fashion glossies are beginning to up the diversity ante, after seven Black women graced the covers of the coveted September 2015 issues of major publications, like Vogue, New York, and Shape.

Elle UK is jumping ahead of the diversity curve early, unleashing five covers for its annual September issue. Zayn Malik and Kirsten Stewart are gracing two of Elle UK's "Rise of the Rebels" covers, while another is designed by Claire Barnett of Hawthorne & Heaney.

However, it's the last two covers that are causing the biggest stir, and proving that including diverse voices may be part of Elle UK's latest redesign.

Actress Amandla Stenberg, who identifies as both non-binary and bisexual, is featured on one cover.

so sick thank you @elleuk. ✊???? #ELLExAMANDLA

A photo posted by amandla (@amandlastenberg) on

Elle UK didn't stop there with gender and sexuality diversity, though. They also tapped transgender actress and model, Hari Nef, for another cover.

Both actresses have rallied for the LGBTQ community when they're not killing on-screen roles.

Thank you for the continuous Black Girls Rock love. full full full hearts

A photo posted by amandla (@amandlastenberg) on

Stenberg announced that she's bisexual while taking over Teen Vogue's Snapchat in January.

"It's a really really hard thing to be silenced and it's deeply bruising to fight against your identity and to mold yourself into shapes that you just shouldn’t be in," she said then. "As someone who identifies as a Black, bisexual woman I've been through it, and it hurts, and it's awkward and it's uncomfortable… but then I realized because of Solange and Ava DuVernay and Willow [Smith] and all the Black girls watching this right now, that there’s absolutely nothing to change."

However, before that, "The Hunger Games" actress unapologetically called out cultural appropriation, white feminism, and other social ills — at just 17. 

She's even made a viral video about inappropriate shit Black girls are tired of hearing.

Similarly, Nef — the first trans model signed to IMG Worldwide — has been very vocal about the political reasons she chose to transition.

facetune feminization surgery by @sheneedsomemilk #againstinterpretation

A photo posted by Hari Nef (@harinef) on

"I wanted to be in the world," she told Vogue about her transition."I'm not trying to self-aggrandize, but it’s more than a job to me. It is political." She's also made it clear that fashion hasn't been welcoming to trans women, even though they've put a few — including her — on magazine covers.

In another interview with Vogue, Nef said, "I don't think fashion is interested in trans issues. I can’t think of many fashion institutions or artists who have addressed 'trans issues' by name, can you? How many openly-transpeople are getting major work in the industry — models, designers, photographers? Can you count them on more than one hand? Fashion is having a moment with trans-aesthetics, not trans issues."

Hopefully, Stenberg and Nef's bold outspokenness will make a difference in the very white and very straight fashion world.

Fashion magazines need a renaissance like this: In 2015, Fashionista found that of 136 major covers, only 27 featured women of color. 

It also helps that they, and the seven Black women last year, are featured on the cover of September issues. The September issue is one of, if not the biggest, magazines every year for a number of reasons.

Alexandra Jacobs, fashion critic and editor at The New York Times, told Who What Wear that the September issue matters above all of the others. It's the biggest issue with the most ads, and also signals a fresh start, according to Jacobs.

"Even after one outgrows "Seventeen" and its ilk, a September issue signals back to school," Jacobs told Who What Wear. "Autumn is the time of important cultural happenings, of re-engaging with the outside world and the intellect, after the sanctioned mindlessness and insularity of summer... I think September issues have grown more powerful, partly because of the PR boost they got from R.J. Cutler's 2009 documentary, and partly because the internet is so desperate for new fodder, even [if it's] the dubious suspense of a cover-subject selection."
So, the September cover star matters, and they matter even more when they don't fit the standard "perfection" look magazines go for.

So, it's time for a fashion magazine revolution. Hopefully, Nef and Stenberg can lead the way.

photo: GIPHY

Main Image: Instagram/Amandla Stenberg and Instagram/Hari Nef