It's no secret that clothing and beauty brands have made an extra effort to diversify over the last few years. After years of catering to the cookie-cutter masses, the industry is finally waking up to the glaring fact that we aren't all the same, and that we should be celebrated for our uniqueness. Now, the clothing brand River Island is taking it one step further, featuring the 8-year-old double-amputee model Daisy-May Demetre in its latest activewear campaign - and honestly, the world is here for it.
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Daisy-May looks adorable in the ads, where she sports a floral crop top and matching leggings, proudly displaying her red prosthetic blades. Demetre was diagnosed with fibular hemimelia at birth, a condition that meant her leg bones were underdeveloped. Both of her feet were amputated when Daisy was just 18-months-old. The inspiring tot never let it hinder her ambition to become a model and she still accompanies her dad to the gym.
The brand released a statement saying that they always look for models that fit the brief, and Daisy-May's outgoing spirit and contagious energy made her the perfect fit for the role. The 8-year-old has an active life alongside a blossoming modeling career, having walked the runway at London Fashion Week in February after signing a contract with Zebedee Management in 2017. Daisy's Instagram is littered with pictures of events alongside gym snaps, proving that you can overcome anything if you set your mind to it.
The fashion industry is still working toward including more disabled models in their campaigns, with Target's children's brand Cat & Jack launching a clothing line aimed specifically at kids with disabilities last year. Tommy Hilfiger also followed suit, while ASOS also released a rainproof jumpsuit that is entirely wheelchair adaptable.
There may still be a long road ahead, but models like Daisy-May are inspiring both adults and children to pursue their dreams, despite what obstacles they face. Be sure to hit follow on Daisy's Instagram page to keep up to date with her fashion takeover.
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