A model who lost her leg to a rare and aggressive form of cancer has become the face of a new Kurt Geiger campaign, saying it proves that 'different can look good'.
Bernadette Hagans, 24, had to have her right leg amputated in October 2018, after being diagnosed with synovial sarcoma, a rare cancer of soft tissue.
Hagans, from Belfast, said: "I had symptoms for almost a year before I finally got diagnosed. I felt tired, sick and then started to feel a lump in my right leg which got bigger and bigger over time.
"After eventually being sent for a scan, everything happened pretty quickly. They confirmed that I had a cancerous tumour which was entangled in my nerves and blood vessels.
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"Straight away they told me they'd have to amputate through the knee. So I said, 'Okay, let's go.'
"The doctors were surprised I took the news so calmly, but I just felt lucky I was being given a chance to live."
Fast forward two years, and Hagans not only has a modelling contract under her belt, she's also a proud ambassador for CLIC Sargent charity, raising awareness for synovial sarcoma.
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She is also the new face of Kurt Geiger's People Empowered Campaign, which she said has been a 'fun' project to be involved in.
"I loved the photoshoot because we were modelling the product whilst also showing my leg as a part of it. We were showing that this can be fashionable, and I love that," Hagans said.
"I also like that some of the pictures don't feature my leg. I've been on photoshoots before where only my leg is shown and I don't feature at all, and that just feels like I've only been picked for that job because of my leg.
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"Whereas here, I've actually been a part of this as me."
She continued: "It's great whenever people like me get shown because it doesn't happen too often.
"I think it can show that different can look good and that you can make the most of whatever sets you apart from the crowd."
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Shortly after Hagans had her leg amputated, she secured a modelling contract with Zebedee Management, a specialist talent agency which represents people with disabilities and alternative appearances.
She said that while she's glad to see improving attitudes towards people who are different, there's still 'a long with to go' in terms of changing society's approach to diversity.
"There's still more to be done, but I'm happy I get to be a part of that journey," she said.
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"It's such a positive thing to be inclusive and celebrate people no matter what they look like or what lifestyle they lead."
Featured Image Credit: Kurt Geiger