A trans photographer from Leicestershire made her modelling debut at London Fashion Week earlier this month – an experience she says she’ll “never forget.”
Katie Neeves, from Stoney Stanton, was invited to take part in a fashion show at the prestigious fashion event called ‘All Things Fashion – Fashionista Event 2022’.
The show, which celebrates diversity and inclusion, took place on September 17 and was organised by Diana Dahlia Public Relations, who said it was “time to change the conversation” around diversity.
Ms Neeves, who lived as ‘Martin’ before her transition, was asked to model at the event by designer Hermann Yonga, who she met through her business connections.
She said her catwalk debut was an experience she will “never forget.”
“If anyone had told me five years ago (before my transition) that I would model at the second largest fashion week in the world, I would never have believed them,” she revealed.
“It was a day I will never forget. Not bad for a 53-year-old transgender woman who lived for 48 years as a man! I’m loving all the amazing opportunities that are coming my way, now I am finally able to live my truth,” she added.
Katie said that her confidence had grown enormously since she came out as transgender five years ago.
As well as being a photographer, she also speaks out about her experience of transitioning and runs a popular blog called ‘Cool2BTrans’.
“Although I’m used to standing up in front of lots of people and talking to lots of people when I do my trans awareness training and inspirational speaking, walking in heels in a straight line in front of the world’s media and loads of celebrities, is a whole new skillset!” she said of her modelling debut.
“I am a woman on a mission! But not just any woman and not just any mission… Being an openly transgender woman and a trans ambassador, I am on a mission to not only show that it’s OK to be trans, but it’s actually cool to be trans too!” she added.
To find out more about Katie, visit her blog at: https://cool2btrans.co.uk/
