www . ICEVI - Europe . org Announcement

Models Uncovered

Are you or someone you know BEAUTIFUL, DISABLED and convinced it's time the world took notice?

Models Uncovered is an exciting new prime time series for BBC 3 looking for disabled models who have what it takes to succeed in the world of fashion and beauty.

If you're female, aged 18-30, and think you could turn people's perceptions on their head and become the next Kate Moss or Naomi Campbell then get in touch...

For an application form and further information, please
Email modelapplication at loveproductions.co.uk
Or Call or Text + 44 207 067 4865

Information packs also available in other formats.

BBC Three announces Britain's Missing Top Model w/t
Britain's first television modelling competition for Disabled women

Britain's Missing Top Model w/t is a ground-breaking new series in which eight women with disabilities compete over the course of three weeks to prove to a panel of industry experts that they have what it takes to be a mainstream fashion model.

Controller of BBC Three, Danny Cohen says "This series aims to challenge the artificial boundaries that seem to exist in the beauty and fashion industries. It would be great if in the future we began to see more disabled models gracing the covers of the world's magazines"

This original 5 part series is made by Love Productions for BBC Three. Women aged between 18 and 30, who consider themselves to have a disability and believe they have what it takes to work in the mainstream modelling industry are invited to apply (bbc.co.uk/ouch/models). 8 women will be chosen to move into an apartment in London, where they will eat, sleep and breathe the fashion industry over a 3 week period. 3 industry experts will train them in every aspect of modelling; from posing for photo-shoots to location work and catwalks.

During the intensive training period they will be set challenges by the expert judges to see if they have what it takes to become a model. Impress the judges in these challenges and the girls will be allowed to continue in the competition. Ultimately the judges will select one winner and her prize is a high-fashion photo shoot with one of the world's foremost fashion photographer to feature in a spread in a top women's glossy magazine. With this training and experience, the aspiration is to give the winner a foot in the door of the fashion industry.

Richard McKerrow, Creative Director Love Productions says "Our intention is to empower both the women featured in the project and thousands of others, who shouldn't be invisible to the fashion industry just because they are Disabled people. We're also looking to challenge preconceived notions of beauty"

The series will be supported by Ouch, the BBC's award-winning disability website. Ouch will provide a forum for debate about the many issues raised by the series, as well as exclusive video clips and blogs. The site will also host a campaign run by BBC Learning that will bring the rarely discussed topic of disability within the beauty and fashion industry into the spotlight, and challenge the audience's understanding of what it means to be a Disabled person.

Disability Action in Islington say "Any programme which raises awareness of the barriers that society places in the path of Disabled people wanting to pursue their chosen career, that has the ability to challenge negative stereotypes and encourage inclusion is a positive thing."

Notes to editors:

• We are working in consultation with Disability Action Islington and Capita.
• There are currently only a very small number of Disabled models working in mainstream modelling, including Brazilian model Brenda Costa, who's deaf. She was recently quoted talking about her career "I'm a fighter and I think it's important for other girls to know they shouldn't give up on their dream just because they are a bit different" (Sun Mirror).
• A Disabled Person is defined as someone with a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on the ability to carry out normal day to day activities (As defined by the Disability Discrimination Act)
• 2.5 million people in the UK are of working age and claim Disability Living Allowance. - 2005 Department of Work and Pensions Statistics
• Scope state that if disabled people (who have a combined spending power of some ?80 billion) see a Disabled model they are more likely to buy that product.
• Disability Action in Islington (DAII) is an organization run by and for disabled people. Registered Charity Number 1055692 DAII have provided Disability Equality Training for the production team and are acting as a sounding board for the production team throughout the production period.
• Executive Producer Richard McKerrow has over 10 years senior experience in disability programming in the UK and will be overseeing the project.

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