Jillian Mercado, the model with muscular dystrophy who shows at New York Fashion Week challenging the stereotypes of fashion.
Don't store avocado like this: it's dangerousHer name is Jillian Mercado, she's 32, and she's one model with muscular dystrophy who enchanted everyone on the New York Fashion Week (NYFW) catwalk, in which she participated as a representative of The Blonds brand.
Muscular dystrophy is a genetic disorder that weakens the muscles and motor skills of those affected, and Jillian is one of the very few models in the world with this problem. The reason why so much has been said about her presence on the New York catwalk depends precisely on the fact that in the world of fashion there is still little room for disabled people.
Jilian herself, on her Instagram profile, wrote that she was able to reach her goals only thanks to her extreme determination, which encouraged her to hold on despite the fact that in the fashion magazines, which she loved so much, she never happened to see any disabled, and everyone repeated that the fashion world was not ready and would not offer her this opportunity.
That's why he decided to share his triumph by dedicating it to all the disabled who have felt, or still feel, invisible:
“This moment was brought to you by… Every single person who has a disability around the world who has felt invisible and unheard. For the countless times we all shouted respect and equal representation. Or for the times when other people speak for us, not with us. Because when we felt we didn't belong in this world because no one thought we were capable of doing something. The times when people talk to everyone about our problems or needs except us. "
The daughter of a seamstress and a shoe salesman, she was initially recruited by the IMG fashion agency, the same as Gisele Bündchen, and in 2014 she participated in a Diesel campaign that helped to get her off the ground professionally. Since then she has in fact participated in campaigns for Olay, Target and Nordstorm, as well as becoming the cover of Teen Vogue.
And now the first show at New York Fashion Week that made her even more proud of her determination and that she commented, again on Instagram, with these words:
"I can assure you this is just the beginning."
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SOURCES: Instagram
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