Gaydos’s experience can serve as a lesson to us all, whether we’re models or not. Her self-confidence and comfort in her own skin is certainly an inspiration, and it reminds us that every body is beautiful, regardless of shape, size, color, or construct. Hopefully the fashion industry will begin to employ more models who redefine beauty standards, but Gaydos is already seeing improvements. “Every year, [the industry] seems to broaden and become a little more open-minded,” she explains. “I truly do think that fashion is reimagining its ideals but it’s only because people such as myself are actually making it happen.”