A 10-year-old who became the youngest transgender model to walk the runway at the prestigious New York Fashion Week earlier this year is already making her mark in the industry.
Mini model Noella has some pretty lofty goals for her tender age, telling Caters News she aspires to "make a difference to the world" and help other trans people "accept who they truly are".
On February 10, 2022, the 10-year-old strutted her stuff for one of the first trans-inclusive designer brands, Trans Clothing Company, during New York Fashion Week, taking to the catwalk in a white two-piece tracksuit with brown detailing - part of the brand's Fall 2022 collection.
Noella, who is from Chicago, began socially transitioning at age four, with the steadfast support of her parents Dee McMaher, 35, and Ray, 32.
Speaking to Cater News, Noella's mother, Dee, proudly called her daughter "a tiny professional" who rarely gets nervous, adding: "We are so proud of Noella for being the first trans child in New York Fashion Week, we are in awe of her confidence and determination.
"Noella already has so many transgender people of all ages contact her for advice, support," Dee continued.
"It's great that she can provide this trans visibility on a global scale. She is showing them that trans is beautiful."
Despite her young age, Noella has already faced her fair share of struggles. As a toddler, Dee recalled her daughter would frequently throw tantrums and refuse to wear the clothing they had picked out for her - behaviour which eventually culminated in the young child declaring she felt she had been born as the wrong gender during a therapy session.
Although Dee and Ray believe their daughter is too young to begin medically transitioning, they have allowed her the freedom to explore her identity.
"Noella had a rough start to life as she was extremely unhappy being perceived as a boy," Dee said, as per Caters News.
"Even when she was two, she said she [was] not a little boy."
After taking Noella to a gender clinic, Dee said her child began to blossom as she embraced "finally being herself". Her parents had Noella's name legally changed at the age of seven, which was when she began exploring a career as a child model - quickly securing her first show at Chicago Fashion Week that year.
In February, Noella became the first trans child and youngest trans model to walk at New York Fashion Week after she was booked by Mel Atkinson, the designer behind Trans Clothing Company, for Runway 7 to debut the brand's Fall Collection.
At the time of writing, Noella is currently booked with modelling work until November.
"As a parent of a transgender child, it is my duty to protect her and make sure she is safe, but Noella is an activist for transgender rights and she wants to put herself out there," Dee said.
"She is so passionate about raising awareness… she is going to make a difference in this world."
Speaking to Forbes following Runway 7 earlier this year, publicist Tara Solomon said that after the show, Noella scooped some of the heart-shaped confetti off the runway to pack in her suitcase; "a memento of the best New York moment a girl could have".
As per the report by Forbes, Noella's parents, Dee and Ray, are also transgender.
