Little Women of Tomorrow | Daisy Demetre

Throughout history, there have been a number of women who have inspired the world politically, socially, enviromentally and more. Emmeline Pankhurst paved the way for women in securing them the right to vote in the UK in 1908, founding the Women’s Social and Political Union and the subsequent sufragette movement. Marie Curie was the first woman to win a Nobel Peace Prize in 1991 for her pioneering research into radiation and ultimately advances into treating cancer. Rosa Parks, a political activist in the USA sparked the civil rights movement in 1955 - an African American living in Alabama, she challenged race segregation by refusing to give up her seat to a white person on the bus, instigating riots that led to black people gaining equal right in the 1960s. In recent times, 15 year old Swedish school girl Greta Thunberg was credited for changing the way the world is handling the effect of climate change. What began as a personal plight at home - urging her parents to reduce their carbon footprint - led to her lobbying Swedish parliament to demand they take firmer action on climate change. In 2018, she addressed the United Nations Climate Change Conference and has challenged a movement referred to as the ‘Greta effect’ In 2019 and 2020 Greta gained two consecutive nominations for the Nobel Peace Prize.

This International Women’s Day we’re inspired by little women of tomorrow. We were honoured to meet Daisy Demetre, a nine year old amputee who among many achievements was the first double amputee to walk New York Fashion Week and subsequently Paris Fashion Week, where she modelled at the top of the Eiffel tower. Daisy was born with fibular hemimelia which meant her feet hadn’t fully developed - on her right leg she had a very small fibular bone and the one on her left never grew. Daisy would never be able to balance or walk on her legs, so a decision was made to amputate whilst she was still a baby. Despite these early set backs, Daisy has an insatiable zest for life - her father Alex set up an Instagram account in the hope of inspiring others with Daisy’s vivacious nature and ability to tackle anything. Filled with inspirational quotes such as Be your own kind of beautifulShe wore her scars as her best attire … I am Daisy, I am Fearless it was her instagram that launched her modelling career and she has since featured in campaigns for big brands such as Nike and River Island, in addition to being selected as a brand ambassador for French designer Lulu et Gigi.

Daisy refuses to let anything get in the way of her ambitions - ballet dancer, brand ambassador, international catwalk model - the sky is the limit for Daisy. 

What would you like to be when you grow up?
I would like to be a supermodel and travel the world
 

Your image was featured in Vogue magazine for designer Lulu et Gigi, which is probably the most exciting achievement for an aspiring model. What’s your favourite thing about modelling?
I love the hair and make up, meeting lots of people, going to new places and walking the catwalks on big shows
 

You were the youngest double amputee to walk New York Fashion Week - congratulations. How did it feel?
I'm really proud of myself and it was an amazing experience - hopefully it inspires others
 

You’ve said you’d like to represent the UK in the Papralympics - what would your chosen sport be?
I would love to do athletics
 

Who are your female role models?
Popstars Ariana Grande and Jessie J
 

How would you change the world if you had one wish?
I wish that disability was looked at as a gift and for other disabled people to not let anything hold them back and they follow their dreams

All images by @daisymay_demetre