A Cork mum is set to become known all over Ireland and Britain for her part in Ultimo Lingerie’s latest campaign, which starts today.
Rebecca Barrett, a 35-year-old mum of two from Ballydehob, will have a poster in Debenhams stores throughout Ireland and Britain for the next year.
Rebecca was the only Irish winner in Ultimo’s Real Women campaign out of more than 10,000 hopefuls.
The mum to Sophie, aged 10, and Katie, aged seven, joined nine British women in London last month where a professional photographer, make-up artists and nail technicians gave her the superstar treatment.
Rebecca told the Evening Echo that the past few days had been like a whirlwind since Ultimo started the campaign.
“It has been surreal but in a really positive way. I’m still a bit in shock about it all to be honest. My hands were shaking as I opened the photos for the first time — I still cannot believe I’m going to be on display in a store like Debenham’s in Patrick Street or Mahon Point.
“My daughter Sophie has shown a real talent for PR — she’s been letting everyone know her mum is now a model. That’s what I’m most happy about; the fact that I can be a positive role model to Sophie and Katie and teach them that they can be themselves and be comfortable with it.
“I’m 4’11, I have all the same insecurities about my body as every woman but that’s the beauty of the campaign — we are all real women.”
Rebecca said she couldn’t believe the opportunities that have already come her way: “I’ve had modelling agencies on to me interested in giving me work. That is amazing. It is all so exciting but I won’t get carried away. I’m a real Cork woman — we have a bit of humility and I’d be brought back down to earth in a flash if I got too big for my boots.”
The third year of the Ultimo Real Women campaign sees models chosen from size eight to 18, with their ages ranging up to their 50s.
CEO of Ultimo, Michelle Mone, started the campaign in 2010 after modelling in her own ‘real women’ shoot herself.