Meet Vicky DePiore | Mother and Manager of Olivia DePiore,

We had the good fortune of connecting with Vicky DePiore and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Vicky, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
OIivia, herself, is the most important factor. By being an award-winning advocate for inclusion who travels the world “putting herself out there”, she speaks and acts for millions of people worldwide who are not included in basic pieces of our world. Olivia is one of the most visible models in the world who has Down Syndrome. New York, Paris, London, Milan, Dubai and was just invited to Thailand for April of 2024!

Olivia DePiore walks the runways all over the world, appears in magazines and editorial photoshoots to show the world that it’s OK to be different than the traditional look we see in these venues. Millions of people out in our world have monies to spend, but they don’t see themselves in the advertisements of all of these services or products, so they don’t think it’s “for their population”. But it is!!! Clothes, products, services, etc. are for all people.

Olivia’s persistence and positive attitude helps get this message to our world and negativity does not slow her down. She’s now being called to appear all over the world and wear products of many designers.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Olivia learns every day and studies her craft through all different modes including watching other models, YouTube, reading books of famous models, etc.

Word of mouth and her confidence on the runway and print has spoken for her where people now reach out for her to show their interest and promotion of inclusion in our world.

Her visibility and popularity has helped pave the way for others who are “non-traditional” models join the mission of inclusion.

It has not been easy. Sometimes she doesn’t get the “extra help” she may need backstage just because people don’t really know what she needs and/or are afraid to ask and have a conversation with her. Maybe putting earrings on, making sure her lipstick looks good, last minute zipper-checks, etc. can be the little help she needs.

We want the world to know that all people have dreams, needs, wants and want to be included and treated like others. That’s not that difficult. Just offer up a simple conversation and you’ll learn alot.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
We’re from Cleveland, Ohio, so we have alot of options. Of course, the hard-working sports teams that sometimes, just can’t get there, but have a good heart and fans, are always good to see.

Also, the city has the world-reknowned Rock n Roll Hall of Fame where people come from all over the world to visit. There’s always something new there to see, learn from and love.

The Northeast Ohio area has one of the most beautiful park systems called “The Emerald Necklace” where many people spend hours and hours to see all the activities and beauty.

And, of course, our Playhouse Square, the theater district, is only 2nd behind New York and Broadway itself!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There have been some very open-minded people in the industry who have helped support Olivia’s mission to be seen in our world. The first person is a boutique owner named Darlene James, who owns a dress boutique in downtown Cleveland, Ohio, called Darlafoxx. Her mantra is “dare to be different” and she really brings it in all ways, shapes and forms!

In one of Darlene’s shows that Olivia won, she met an editor of Haute Ohio Magazine, photographer and designer, Jackie
Bertolette, who then assisted in promoting Olivia and her building her confidence to do anything she puts her mind to!

Eni Hegedus-Buiron, a designer from Canada, invited her to walk for her in Paris Fashion Week, thus her international status began. While in Paris, she met another designer from Milan, who created MMMilano Fashions, Chona Bacaoco, whose mission is all about inclusion. She invites Olivia to all of her shows to walk for her no matter where she goes!

Inclusion to the max!!

Instagram: @oliviadepioremodel

Facebook: facebook.com/oliviadepioremodelingportfolio

Image Credits
Blue Dress – Jackie Bertolette Red Hat – Luis Omar Cajigas Orange Dress – Vicky DePiore Gold Fingernails – Vicky DePiore Black and White – Vicky DePiore Purse and orange chairs – Jackie Bertolette Hair in Buns and black top – Jackie Bertolette Toy Soldier – Alexa Art