Disabled Models Stars in Debenhams Ads

A British Paralympic athlete with one leg amputated below the knee and a model who is missing her left forearm is to star in an advertising campaign for Debenhams. A 69-year-old and plus-size models also feature in the "diverse" summer campaign by the department store chain aiming to promote a healthy body image, Debenhams said in a statement on Friday.

Stefanie Reid, who won a silver medal in the long jump at the London 2012 Paralympic Games, appears in the campaign in a navy and cream-coloured dress designed by John Rocha.

The ads also feature model Kelly Knox, who was born without a left forearm and won a TV contest to find Britain's top disabled model.

The retailer said the campaign aims to "convey a message empowering every man and woman to feel able to wear the latest trends, but to make it right for them through style".

"The imagery turns its back on the industry norm of young thin models, instead featuring an amputee, three models over 40 -- including one nearing 70 -- and a Paralympian athlete," Debenhams' statement said

Swimwear shots "celebrate curves using a model who is a size 18", it added.

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Debenhams says it was the first in the industry to feature a disabled model and to add size 16 (US size 14) mannequins in its stores.

Source-AFP