Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Olivia DePiore. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Olivia thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

All of my modeling or advocacy projects are important since they encourage inclusion and educate people that it’s OK to be different. The more exposure that occurs with people with challenges, the less shock and awe will occur from others and inclusion will be a normal action vs. an extra-added bonus.

I have travelled all over the world to get exposure for people with differences and you see small glimmers of hope starting to occur where I’m getting invited to walk for more and different designers in many locations or see more people visible for all to see. I’m also being asked to speak and coach others to do the same thing I’m doing.

People with disabilities were never invited to participate in fashion shows and we’re changing that with my exposures, travel and talks.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I am a 27-year old international model who travels the world making a difference in advocating for inclusion “one runway at a time”. I have Down Syndrome but that doesn’t get me down.

I practice my craft just like any other professional. I practice walking, poses, looking for the cameras, showing the designs I wear and sharing my story with all people to show it’s OK to be different. There is a huge group of individuals out there who want to be included and also want to spend their money on great designs, so why not include them so they see someone who looks like them wearing these clothes?

I have walked almost 75 times for designers and shows in NY Fashion week. I have also walked in London, Paris, Dubai, Milan and Bangkok, just to name a few.

I have won awards for my advocacy work, but truly do it to share our abilities to the public. We all have abilities…we just need to find out which ones we do best and hone those skills.

I’ve also been the first fashion show judge with Down Syndrome, been in numerous magazines and editorial shoots all over the world. I have been identified as one of the top 85 in “Women Worth Watching in Leadership” from Profiles in Diversity Journal.

Let’s all make a difference and include all peoples in everything we do!

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

I want to gain so much exposure for individuals with disabilities that it will no longer be a shock to see a person. What we find is if we don’t have exposure to something, we question it, sometimes negate it and, even worse, bully or make fun of it.

I want seeing an individual with a disability as a norm and an accepted thing.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

There have been times in my modeling career where the support just wasn’t there when I was backstage or preparing for a walk. Some shows do not permit my support person to come back stage and I have difficulty at times with jewelry or make-up, etc., so I may need a little help every now and then. So, there were times, that I went on stage without something buttoned, or shoes not tied as tight and that caused some issues.

The best inclusive fashion shows have a support person to help all models…not just ones with challenges. That just makes sense!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @oliviadepiore
• Facebook: oliviadepioremodel

Image Credits

Jackie Bertolette, Amber Snow, Vicky DePiore