Lila, daughter of legendary model Kate Moss brought her insulin pump down the runway
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In an Instagram post, model Lila Moss shared photos of the Fendi x Versace show during Milan Fashion Week. She wears a baroque-printed swimsuit and cropped jacket, her legs bare apart from the pump under her hip. Her caption doesn’t mention the pump, marking it as a totally normal part of her body, rather than something to be ashamed of or called out on.
Lila (who is no stranger to high fashion as Kate Moss’ daughter) has been praised for her openness about her condition. The model is reported to have Type 1 diabetes, which the pump on her thigh assists with – the port is used for the administration of insulin.
Talking to The Kit last year, Lila opened up about her diabetes, citing it as something not many people know about her: “It’s not visible from the outside, so no one would really know just by looking at you. I have type 1.”
According to Diabetes Ireland, there are an estimated 225,840 people in the country with diabetes. Of those, 10-15% of those have Type 1. While Type 2 is often brought about by lifestyle factors, the cause of Type 1 is uncertain, though scientists believe genetics and environmental factors play a part.
In 2005, Jonas Brother Nick was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, something he remains vocal about today. A celebrity addressing the condition, rather than shying away from it, can have a huge impact on others who have it, and Lily’s catwalk moment is no different.
The fashion industry is one that regularly comes under fire for a lack of diverse representation, and while it still has a long way to go, normalising a common condition on the runway is a step in the right direction.
Main image via Papermag