UCC’s Next Top Model: ‘’Body shaming has no place on the catwalk’’

by Maeve O’SullivanUCC Fashion Society will present the final of the 2020 UCC Next Top Model on the 26^th of February. The annual event will showcase the Top 10 student models from the campaign as they compete to secure a contract with Upfront Model Management & Steve Savage Photography.The 2020 campaign was launched back in October. Potential contestants were told not to include sizing in their application as it was of “no importance” to the organisers.The society underwent a rebranding during the past few months in a bid to break down stereotypical fashion ‘clichés’ and become more inclusive to all students.In addition, age was not a factor in securing a place in the competition, as contestant’s ages ranged from 18 to 58.Speaking with a representative from the society, the Express were told; ‘’People often view the model industry in a negative light, with unrealistic body expectations and overworked models. Body shaming has no place on the catwalk. We hope to put an emphasis back on the creative practices within the fashion industry through UCC Next Top Model’’’By working with Upfront Model Management and Ms Orla Diffy, we ensure the welfare of our models are second to none.’’The fashion show will take place in UCC’s newly refurbished building, ‘The Hub’, which opened this past month.Cork’s RedFm have been announced as the official media partners on the night. Judges include Miss Ireland 2018 Aoife O’Sullivan, award winning fashion designer Aoife McNamara, Cork blogger Shauna Doyle and model agency owner Orla Diffy.Tickets are currently on sale on campus. More information can be found from the society’s Facebook UCC Fashion Society.