Nine-year-old double amputee models at New York Fashion Week
Daisy-May Demetre is the brand ambassador for luxury childrenswear label Lulu et Gigi.
Wednesday 11 September 2019 22:49, UK
A nine-year-old girl is believed to be the first child double amputee to walk the runway at New York Fashion Week.
Daisy-May Demetre modelled for luxury childrenswear label Lulu et Gigi after designer Eni Hegedus-Buiron spotted her at London Kids Fashion Week.
The Birmingham-born model was born with fibular hemimelia, a birth defect which means all or part of the fibula bone in the leg is missing.
She had both her legs amputated below the knee at 18 months old to give her the best chance of being able to walk and run.
Daisy now wears prosthetic legs and was even seen cartwheeling at London Kids Fashion Week.
Her father, Alex Demetre, told CBS News: "Daisy's a special, unique child doing stuff all the doctors told me would never really be possible."
Describing how Daisy started modelling, he said: "It just so happened on the TV pops up a disabled modelling agency so I put the idea to her."
Daisy began her modelling career at eight years old, appearing for River Island.
Her older sister Ella, 11, joined her on the runway at New York Fashion Week.
Ms Hegedus-Buiron, who appointed Daisy as a brand ambassador for her Lulu et Gigi line, said she wanted people to see that "beauty is not one-sided".
"(Daisy) is not different to anyone else," she added.
Later this month, Daisy will model at the top of the Eiffel Tower for Paris Fashion Week.