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Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Kathleen Speirs

Scots amputee models for top fashion brands after being snapped up by agency

A young Scots amputee is set to star in campaigns for top fashion brands after being signed to a modelling agency.

Iona Hay from Glasgow has posed for huge designer and high street names in a 'whirlwind' few months since being scouted by Zebedee Management in November.

The brunette beauty 's osteosarcoma diagnosis, a type of bone cancer, in 2008 led to her leg being amputated when she was just six-years-old.

Now aged 18, Iona, is taking the modelling world by storm and hopes to show other amputees 'the beauty in their prosthetic limbs' and why 'it's important to be confident'.

Iona Hay has been signed to a modelling agency (ZEBEDEE MANAGEMENT / FACEBOOK/ BRIAN ROLFE)

Sworn to secrecy over upcoming campaigns, she teased that a well-known, luxury fashion brand and two high street giants have snapped her up.

The fashion student told the Record: "The past few weeks have been incredible and a total whirlwind.

"I have to pinch myself and often think, 'this can't be real', it's crazy.

"Inclusivity is so key in the fashion industry just now, we need to see everyone being represented and I'm so happy to be a part of that."

Iona Hay applied to the agency in August 2021 then was signed that November (ZEBEDEE MANAGEMENT / HANDOUT/BRIAN ROLFE)

Pushing boundaries is part of the course for brave Iona who's excelled in gymnastics, skiing and philanthropy since having her leg amputated.

Her cancer diagnosis came just one year after her mum, Fiona Dolan, died of a brain tumour aged 36.

Fiona, an ophthalmologist, tragically passed away in December 2007 after being diagnosed with cancer in April that year.

Nobody is more proud of Iona than her family; dad Steven, 50, her twin, Niamh, brothers Hamish, 23, and Peadar, 21, along with step-mother Gillian and eight-year-old twins René and Matilda.

Iona Hay hopes her modelling career will show other amputees that they can go for anything they want (ZEBEDEE MANAGEMENT / HANDOUT/BRIAN ROLFE)

Iona admits dad Steven wasn't quite sure what lay ahead when she first took the plunge and applied to Zebedee; a specialist agency that signs less-represented talent including people with disabilities.

"My parents told me to go for it when I applied back in August," Iona added.

"But I don't think they knew what would be involved.

"Now they're just really supportive and always back anything I do."

Stunning Iona Hay has been snapped up by a modelling agency that signs talent in the US and Europe (ZEBEDEE MANAGEMENT/BRIAN ROLFE/HANDOUT)

Iona moved to Edinburgh to study a BA in Fashion Design in September and says she wants to create clothes with amputees in mind.

"Designing for those who have prosthetic limbs is so important to me," she said.

"I want everyone to be represented if I were to become a fashion designer, that's the dream.

"Modelling has given me an amazing insight into behind the scenes.

Iona Hay has posed for a luxury fashion brand and a couple of high street giants over the past couple of months (ZEBEDEE MANAGEMENT/HANDOUT/BRIAN ROLFE)

"I want to show that you can achieve with prosthetic limbs, I didn't have that representation in the media growing up.

"The experience has been insane so far and I hope it inspires others."

A Zebedee Management spokeswoman told the Record: "We love Iona's look, positive attitude, and just great vibe. We've always received the best feedback from clients from her work on set and she just photographs wonderfully.

"Iona's already booked jobs with huge fashion labels. To achieve this with us is incredible.

"We're really excited to see what's next for Iona. Iona has a timeless look that's highly sought after in the industry. We're hopeful that as more brands become more inclusive of disability that she'll be booking some huge jobs with us."

She added: "At Zebedee Talent, our goal is to see disability and difference represented in the media and fashion industry. Slowly but surely, the industry is changing and becoming more inclusive.

"Our agency is now booking jobs with huge clients every day. This is a really exciting time to join the Inclusion Revolution, so if you've previously felt excluded from the media, now's the time to change that! You can apply to our agency through our 'Get Scounted' page."

Head to Zebedee Management's website, call their UK team on 0207 993 8530 or email info@zebedeetalent.com for more information.

For help and advice surrounding bone cancer diagnosis and treatment visit the NHS information page.

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