A Judge Business School PhD student who has strived to change the face of the fashion and beauty industries has won a prestigious national award from the Canadian Government.

Ben Barry, has received the Canadian Governor General’s Awards in Commemoration of the Persons Case Youth Award. The first man to ever be given this title, Ben received his award from Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean at a ceremony in Rideau Hall, Canada (pictured).

The award honours individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the advancement of women in Canada. Ben was nominated for the prestigious award by Tiuu Poder, President, BASE Atlantic, Business Advisory Services and Entrepreneurship.

She said: “There is no more of a deserving recipient for this award than Ben Barry. He is making the most positive impact of anyone I have encountered on women and their self image. Ben is instrumental in affecting a change of societal values of women through both his modelling agency and his research at Judge Business School.”

While successfully running his modelling agency, Ben is studying for his PhD on an Ogilvy Foundation Research Grant at Judge Business School. His innovative research: “Why Reflect Reality: An Eight Country Study of the Role and Relevance of Models in Fashion Adverts”, is further enabling him to explore what types of models actually generate positive brand attitudes from consumers. In addition he is revealing how women want to be represented in the fashion and beauty industry in Canada and internationally.

Ben’s research supervisor at the School, Dr Simon Bell said: “Through his research Ben is able to directly apply his innovative findings to his business and the industry with remarkable success – economically and socially. This process reflects Judge Business School’s commitment to a research agenda that combines the highest academic standards with relevance to the needs of the world of commerce.”

Ben has strived to change the face of the fashion and beauty industry since the age of fourteen, when he founded the Ben Barry Agency Inc., a modelling agency with a vision of changing public perception of beauty by challenging the size zero paradigm and promoting a healthy attitude towards body diversity. He has had a phenomenal impact on the catwalks of Canada, with his entrepreneurial approach, using ‘real’ models of all ages, sizes, race, religion and abilities, all hired for their natural physical attributes.

On presenting him with his award The Governor General, Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean said: “Ben has taken positive, determined action to undo female model stereotypes and redefine society’s idea of beauty. This young man has taken an innovative approach to his business while fully assuming his civic responsibility. The fact that a young man is being honoured is a notable first in the history of this award.”
 

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Licence. If you use this content on your site please link back to this page.