Britain and Ireland’s Next Top Model winner Jade Thompson is a bit of a favourite at leading UK modelling agency Models Direct so we are delighted to see her continued success following the show.

The 20-year-old model recently appeared on four alternative covers of Company magazine’s November issue – themed ‘Sexy Folk’, ‘Ladylike Leather’, ‘Star Print’ and ‘Glitterball’ – and she is now fronting Miss Selfridge’s Christmas campaign!

Jade Thompson went through years of bullying over her unique looks before she found fame on Britain and Ireland’s Next Top Model. As a mixed race, red haired and freckled young woman she has an absolutely stunning look, but it hasn’t always been easy for her to feel confident in her appearance. At school the same qualities that have helped Jade Thompson fulfill her dream to be a model earned her nicknames like ‘freckle face’ and ‘ginger nut’, something she thankfully learned to deal with due to a strong personality and positive attitude.

Back in September she told The Manchester Evening News: “I spent years wishing I didn’t have a face full of freckles and ginger hair until I suddenly realised I couldn’t change it, so I needed to learn to live with it.” It’s this mindset that has helped Jade on her way and today she is certainly having the last laugh at those who made her feel self conscious during her youth.

Miss Selfridge began as the young fashion section of London’s Selfridges department store, and over the years models such as Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell have been associated with the retailer, but Jade won’t be resting on her heels just yet despite the impressive achievement of fronting their Christmas campaign. According to the Daily Mail she has aspirations to show off her curves as a lingerie model in future. “Ultimately, I’d love to model for Victoria’s Secret”, she is quoted as saying in an article by Sadie Whitelocks.

Models Direct think it is fantastic to see this young model growing in confidence and couldn’t agree more with comments she made to the Manchester Evening News that she hopes may reassure others:

“My advice to them is believe in yourself, not to listen to what others say and to go for it whatever your ambition in life.”