Photoshoots help Anaya to discover inspiring women
Anaya as Cleopatra
A YOUNG Derbyshire model has passed the time in lockdown by recreating the poses of inspirational women from across history.
Anaya Barnes, from Melbourne, is also an aspiring actress and has dressed up as Cleopatra, Frida Kahlo and Oprah Winfrey, as well as other famous women.
Her mother, Laura, an NHS nurse, said the unique project has provided the eight-year-old with the chance to learn while having fun.
She said: “We wanted to think of something to keep her interested and keep her educated as well, because she finds schoolwork really tedious.
“She shows a lot more interest in learning when it’s more hands-on.
“So being able to dress her up and take photos of her, she’s shown a lot more interest in actually retaining the information that was learned about each inspirational woman.”
Laura started to post daily pictures of Anaya online, aiming to provide a boost of positivity to friends and family.
The project quickly became very popular, with Anaya even being asked to feature on T-shirts and jumpers from
Derby-based independent brand The Little White House.
Laura said: “The project has been brilliantly received. We’ve had so many people messaging – family, friends and then friends of friends as well.
“They get in touch to say they’ve been really looking forward to seeing which person she’s going to be each day.
“The owner of The Little White House told me she’s sold more than £300 worth of clothes so she’s really, really made up with that.”
As a nurse on the front line, Laura has found it more difficult to work on the project as regularly as she would like, with the NHS busier than ever at the moment.
But that has not stopped plans for future shoots, with the pair constantly thinking of new icons to recreate.
Laura said: “We’ve got a few ideas up our sleeves. I think the next one’s going to be Florence Nightingale.
“Anaya chooses who she wants to be from her books about inspirational women of the world.
“She’s decided to do Florence Nightingale next because it’s very relevant with everything that’s going on at the minute.” clothing
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