breaking down barriers

Muslim model Mariah Idrissi breaking down barriers in fashion world

She did not know it then, but that was to be a turning point in her life.

The woman was Coralie Rose, a street casting director who hunts out fresh new talent among the crowds of ordinary people in this huge city.

"I'm looking for people who remind me of myself," she said.

"I come from a mixed race family. And when I was growing up there were very few people of colour or mixed race families on TV and it's always something I've wanted to see more of."

She saw that in Idrissi when she walked by wearing a hijab and a nose ring.