LEVEL UP na si Miss International Philippines 2017 Mariel de Leon, matapos ang kanyang pagsabak kamakailan sa una niyang fashion show at sa New York City pa ito.
Extra special ang milestone na ito para kay Mariel, dahil rumampa lang naman siya para sa shapewear brand ng American socialite na si Kim Kardashian.
Sa Instagram, ibinahagi ng 26-year-old model ang mga behind-the-scene photos ng event.
“I still can’t get over the fact that I walked for @skims @kimkardashian for my first fashion show in NYC! It’s so surreal to think that out of more than 1000 girls, I was one of the girls chosen to be part of the show,” caption nito.
Ibinahagi rin ng dating beauty queen ang kanyang mga pinagdaan kabilang ang naranasan niyang online bullying at body shaming. Now, she can proudly say that what was perceived by many as “negative” about her, ang nakatulong sa kanya upang makapasok sa naturang event.
“I’m so proud to share this experience with beautiful women of all shapes + sizes + ages + colors. It’s so amazing to see how the fashion industry here has evolved into a more inclusive and diverse one. The women who stand up for inclusivity, diversity, strength, and self-love inspire me to love myself unconditionally and to be okay with the body I have. Thank you.”
Pinasalamatan din ni Mariel ang kanyang modeling agency for “taking a chance on me and believing in me.”
-STEPHANIE MARIE BERNARDINO