Trans Model Aaron Philip Is Making A Space For Disabilities On The Runway

Aaron Philip is a trans model taking fashion by storm.

“I think it’s time to really include marginalized folks within fashion in big ways,” she stated. “That’s why I’m working so hard to become a model, so that — in my wheelchair, being trans, Black, disabled, feminine — I can walk runways, like Gucci and Prada, and Dior, and Maison Margiela and all the big runways. There’s no reason not to. It’s up to them now, ‘cause we’re here.”

Aaron came out publicly as gender-fluid at 14 but later realized that label wasn’t a perfect fit, so now she identifies as a non-binary trans girl. She was diagnosed with quadriplegic cerebral palsy as a baby, but the 17-year-old doesn’t let her disability hold her back.

“I want to get signed to a modeling agency, so I can take on runway, and editorial, and beauty campaigns, because there’s such little representation for disabled bodies, people with disabilities, and Black, trans women, and femmes, and non-binary people, in general,” she explained. “And somehow, I’m at the intersection of all of that. And never have I once seen myself properly represented on, like, a big platform or runway or beauty campaign like that. People place limits and boxes upon bodies that are not represented. God willing, there will be a change, and these kids are going to look and see themselves in these things and know that there’s something out there for them.”