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’.
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.
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.”
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 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.”
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.
“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.”
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