Model With Bionic Arm To Walk In NYFW
[Photo: Instagram/Rebekah Marine]
Rebekah Marine, a model born without a right forearm, is set to walk in New York Fashion Week. Despite being told when she was younger that modeling was the wrong career choice for her, the 28-year-old has defied the odds and is about to strut her stuff in front of the fashion world in the FTL Moda show on September 13.
At the age of 22, Marine had an i-limb quantum prosthetic hand fitted, which a friend suggested she model. It was at that moment she realised she could turn her “disability” into something extraordinary, Marine explains on her website.
[Photo: Instagram/Rebekah Marine]
And she’s never looked back. Marine’s modeling career has gone from strength to strength and she’s now one of the most recognisable models in the amputee community – as well as an ambassador for the Lucky Fin Project, which aims to raise awareness for those with an “upper limb difference.”
“It’s been quite a journey for me. It was hard at first to put myself out there for the whole world to see,” Marine told PEOPLE. “But I’ve become quite comfortable with myself now, and I’m the happiest I’ve ever been.
“Although I had a body-powered arm in elementary school, I gave up on it when it proved to be too difficult,” says Marine. “The technology in my i-limb quantum really made my day-to-day life easier.”
[Photo: Instagram/Rebekah Marine]
Marine isn’t the only model with a disability set to walk in NYFW – Madeline Stuart, an 18-year-old Australian with Down’s syndrome, is expected to model for FTL Moda, too. Stuart announced her exciting news on Instagram last month, writing, “Guess who is modelling in NY for NY fashion week xx.”
[Photo: Instagram/Madeline Stuart]
[Photo: Instagram/Madeline Stuart]
It’s great to see that fashion is becoming more diverse and inclusive. Marine’s news comes just a day after top fashion label Givenchy announced that it plans to open its doors to the public this season, and let any fashion diehards score tickets to one of fashion week’s most exciting shows.
Givenchy’s open invite and Marine and Stuart’s upcoming NYFW jobs are just a couple of examples of how fashion is slowly becoming more accessible – and it’s a trend we hope continues.
Which fashion week shows are you most looking forward to? Tweet us at @YahooStyleUK.
Givenchy Is Opening Up Its NYFW Show To The Public
Madeline Stuart, Model With Down’s Syndrome, To Make Appearance At NYFW
