Aaron Philip
Aaron Philip (pronounced A-ron, born March 15, 2001), is an Antiguan-American model.[2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9] In 2018, she became the first black, transgender, and physically disabled model to ever be represented by a major modeling agency and has since modeled in several major high fashion photo shoots and campaigns.[6][9][10]
Aaron Philip | |
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Born | |
Occupation | Model, artist, author |
Years active | 2018–present |
Modeling information | |
Height | 5 ft 4 in (1.63 m)[1] |
Hair color | Black |
Eye color | Brown |
Manager | Community New York (New York) [1] |
Personal life
Aaron Philip was born in Antigua and Barbuda and diagnosed with cerebral palsy as a baby.[11] Philip and her family relocated to the United States when she was only three years old and they have lived in the Bronx, New York, ever since.[11] Philip has been on the internet since a young age, most notably starting on her Tumblr blog 'Aaronverse.' When she was only 12, her blog was noticed by former tumblr. CEO David Karp and she spoke at tumblr’s headquarters about her blog and living with cerebral palsy.[11]
In 2015, when Philip was 14, she came out as gender-fluid, and had identified as gender nonconforming/non-binary for several years. In 2018, Philip came out as a transgender woman. Philip credits Naomi Campbell and Jillian Mercado as influences who inspired her in becoming a model and working towards a more inclusive fashion industry.
Career
In 2016 at age 14, Philip published a memoir called This Kid Can Fly: It's About Ability (Not Disability) detailing her experiences growing up with cerebral palsy.[12] The book was co-written with Tanya Bolden and published by HarperCollins.[13]
Philip was a high school junior when she decided to pursue modeling. Aaron was discovered through her social media where she took notice of the lack of representation of trans women of color within the fashion industry, let alone anyone with a disability.[14][15]
She's actively worked towards an inclusive industry via her editorial features in W, i-D, Dazed, ELLE, Allure, and Paper magazines, and also on Refinery29 and Now This.[16] Philip was also subject to a profile in The New York Times, hailing Philip's career as a sign of a more diverse industry.[17] Vogue (magazine) recently featured and photographed Aaron with her friend, Chella Man, discussing the lack of disabled representation. [18]
Philip has graced the cover of Paper magazine's "Pride" issue, interviewed by supermodel Naomi Campbell. [19][20] She's also graced the September Issue cover of S moda for El Pais. [21] Philip has shot editorials for American Vogue, British Vogue, and Vogue Italia, and appeared in campaigns for Dove, Sephora, Outdoor Voices, and Nike.[22][23][24] Philip starred in the music video for Miley Cyrus' song '"Mother's Daughter," which received over 100 million views to date. [16]
Philip made her runway debut in 2019 when she closed a show for Willie Norris Workshop.[16] She's also modeled exclusively for Collina Strada's digital runway show and in the brand's lookbook.[25] Marc Jacobs has also made Philip one of the designer's closest, most frequent collaborators, working with her on various media projects. [26] In a comedic turn, Philip made her television debut on TBS's Full Frontal with Samantha Bee.[16][27] Jeremy Scott at Moschino then tapped her as the sole face of the brand's FW 2020 campaign, photographed by Luigi + Iango.[24]
She is currently represented by Community New York.[28]
Recognition
Philip was listed as part of Teen Vogue's 21 Under 21 for 2018 and 2020.[29]
In 2019, Out magazine named Philip and Teddy Quinlivan as Out100 Models of the Year.[30]
Philip was recognized as a Dazed 100 model in 2019, which recognizes prominent influences in youth culture.[31]
In February 2020, Philip was featured on Beyoncé's website as a part of the "This is Black History" series of #BEYGOOD.[32]
References
- "Elite Model Management - Aaron Philip - Portfolio". Archived from the original on 2018-09-29. Retrieved 2018-09-28.
- "ELITE MODEL MANAGEMENT | AARON PHILIP | COVERS". www.elitemodel.com. Retrieved 2020-10-22.
- Blint-Welsh, Tyler (31 August 2018). "A Path to the Runway, Paved With Hardship" – via NYTimes.com.
- "From Homelessness to Fashion Modeling". 1 September 2018 – via NYTimes.com.
- "This disabled trans teenager is changing the world of modelling". The Independent. 24 May 2018.
- "Trans model with cerebral palsy Aaron Philip signed by major modelling agency - PinkNews · PinkNews". www.pinknews.co.uk.
- Nast, Condé. "Aaron Philip Just Became the First Disabled Transgender Model to Sign With Elite". Teen Vogue.
- Nast, Condé. "Meet the Disabled Trans Model Who's Here to DOMINATE the Fashion World". them.
- "Model Aaron Philip Signs with Elite Model Management". PAPER. 1 September 2018.
- Colón, Ana; Marinelli, Gina (September 5, 2019). "Model Aaron Philip Manifested Her Dream—With a Tweet". Glamour. Retrieved April 16, 2020.
- "Aaron Philip is part of the BoF 500". The Business of Fashion. Retrieved 2020-10-22.
- "This Kid Can Fly: It's About Ability (Not Disability)". www.publishersweekly.com. Retrieved 2020-10-22.
- "Aaron Philip is part of the BoF 500". The Business of Fashion. Retrieved 2020-10-22.
- "Aaron Philip is the trans, disabled model making history". Dazed. 2019-05-13. Retrieved 2020-10-22.
- Philip, Aaron (November 23, 2017). "honestly when i get scouted/discovered by a modeling agency it's OVER for y'all! by y'all i mean the WORLD! it's real inclusivity/diversity hours folks, get into it!". Twitter.
- "ELITE MODEL MANAGEMENT | AARON PHILIP | COVERS". www.elitemodel.com. Retrieved 2020-10-22.
- Blint-Welsh, Tyler (2018-08-31). "A Path to the Runway, Paved With Hardship (Published 2018)". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-10-27.
- Weinstock, Tish. "Chella Man and Aaron Philip Want Better Representation". Vogue. Retrieved 2020-10-27.
- Prieb, Natalie; Ries, Brian (June 25, 2019). "A black, transgender and disabled model just landed her first major magazine cover". CNN. Retrieved April 16, 2020.
- Moran, Justin (June 24, 2019). "Naomi Campbell Interviews Trailblazing Model Aaron Philip". Paper. Retrieved April 16, 2020.
- "Aaron (S Moda for El Pais)". MODELS.com. Retrieved 2020-10-27.
- Colón, Ana; Marinelli, Gina (September 5, 2019). "Model Aaron Philip Manifested Her Dream—With a Tweet". Glamour. Retrieved April 16, 2020.
- Moen, Matt (April 16, 2020). "Aaron Philip Created and Stars In Nike's Latest Campaign". Paper. Retrieved April 16, 2020.
- Moran, Justin (2020-09-21). "Supermodel Aaron Philip Is the Face of Moschino". PAPER. Retrieved 2020-10-22.
- "Collina Strada Sends Powerful Message on Climate Change and Inclusivity". PAPER. 2020-09-17. Retrieved 2020-10-27.
- "Aaron Philip - Model". MODELS.com. Retrieved 2020-10-27.
- Sterba, Gretchen. "Samantha Bee and Naomi Ekperigin Encourage Presidential Candidates To Listen To Black Twitter". bust.com. Retrieved 2020-10-22.
- Philip, Aaron. "I'm a Black, Trans, Disabled Model — And I Just Got Signed to a Major Agency". them. Retrieved 2020-10-22.
- Nast, Condé. "NYFW Wasn't Ready For Aaron Philip — But She's Just Getting Started". Teen Vogue. Retrieved 2019-02-19.
- Street, Mikelle (November 22, 2019). "Aaron Philip and Teddy Quinlivan are Out100's Models of the Year". Out. Retrieved April 16, 2020.
- "Aaron Philip is the trans, disabled model making history". Dazed. 2019-05-13. Retrieved 2020-10-22.
- "This is Black History: Aaron Philip". Beyoncé. Retrieved 2020-10-22.