IRISH MODEL TIA Duffy has gotten the Vogue seal of approval thanks to her efforts to make the fashion world a more inclusive place.

Originally from Dublin, Tia now lives and works as a plus-size model in Toronto, Canada.

Last week, she was interviewed for Vogue Italia about her Be Body Aware initiative, which challenges designers and photographers to showcase a more diverse range of models.

She said that after years of working in the industry and being told she was “too big” or “too small” by casting directors, she knew something needed to change.

Tia started contacting designers and photographers to organise shoots and fashion shows using models of all different sizes, ages, and ethnicities – and after a lot of hard work, she started to get through to people:

We were reaching out to designers, and it was no easy task. In March of 2017 we collaborated with designer Lesley Hampton and Boston bombing survivor Adrianne Haslet [for Vancouver Fashion Week]. She walked the runway for hundreds of amputees around the globe who don’t feel represented in the fashion world.

Her efforts got the attention of Kim Kardashian and Ashton Kutcher, who shared it with millions of people on Facebook – and soon Be Body Aware had racked up 30,000 followers.

Tia intends to keep contacting designers and directing photoshoots, and hopes to get more well-known designers involved:

I want to keep going until I have most, if not all, international designers and brands on board. From what I have been able to achieve in one year I know that anything is possible.

Amazing work. You can keep up with Be Body Aware here, and follow Tia herself here. Maith an cailín!

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