Look no further for the standout star of New York Fashion Week – Aaron Rose Philip has arrived on the scene. The Antiguan American model and activist made her exclusive runway debut during Moschino’s spring/summer 2022 show at Bryant Park on Thursday, marking a big moment of representation for the Black disabled transgender community. Aaron, who was born with cerebral palsy, owned the catwalk in a yellow skirt suit adorned with kitschy plastic trinkets that gave a nod to the collection’s whimsical, nostalgic feel, exuding sunshine itself on the otherwise overcast day. At the end of the show, Creative Director Jeremy Scott brought Aaron back out on the runway so the crowd could properly celebrate her historic walk.
“Disabled people, models and talents matter so much.”
Reflecting on the major accomplishment following the presentation, Aaron wrote on Instagram: “It’s been a long time coming and I’m just completely grateful to God and to everybody who has ever supported me in any capacity.. I hope this is the start of more and inspires & empowers more global brands at the same level to truly work towards including and normalizing disabled presences and talents in their showcases. Disabled people, models and talents matter so much and we can do so much as long as the steps are taken to accommodate us properly. Black trans girls & women matter and are beautiful and I thank God that we are being realised more and more for the gentle souls that we are.”
This is far from Aaron’s first time in the spotlight. Back in 2018, she became the first Black disabled transgender woman to be represented by a major modeling agency. Since then, she’s appeared in a Sephora beauty campaign, in Moschino’s fall 2020 campaign, and on the cover of Paper magazine. She was even prominently featured in Miley Cyrus’s “Mother’s Daughter” music video – casual! One thing’s for sure: Aaron’s just getting started, and she’s about to be even more booked and busy. Read ahead to see all the footage of Aaron’s runway debut for Moschino.
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