Meet Aura Tao, one of six Asia-based models who shared with Tatler how they’re breaking boundaries and refusing to be limited by gender, race, sexuality, size, age, religion or ability
Now based in Milan, Aura Tao is a Taiwanese transgender woman who is empowering trans youth and the LGBTQ+ community every time she gets in front of the camera. Ironically, it is through working in an industry that often values set beauty standards that Tao has learned about self-acceptance. Tao, whose portfolio include Adidas, Luisaviaroma and Emporio Armani, says she gradually learnt to look at herself, to accept her asymmetrical face and imperfect skin, and to like what she saw.
While fashion was one of the earliest industries to recognise and celebrate queerness and different gender identities, Tao is using her influence to push the industry towards an ideal state where all prejudices and controversies are removed. “It will take more than just me to push the movement forward but I am excited, privileged and inspired to play my small part in it,” she says.
Don't miss: Meet Christina Chung, the Hong Kong Mother Who Entered Modelling in Her Fifties
If there was ever a day that I could just say, ‘I am a model’, or ‘I am a woman’ [without further qualification], that’s when true equality and acceptance will have won