A transgender woman has shunned the haters and championed diversity by starring in an inclusive lingerie campaign.

Stephania Van Cluysen, 21, from Belgium, known as 'Effie', was born a male, but now lives as a female after undergoing gender reassignment surgery in 2015.

The striking model says she took part in the lingerie brand's boudoir photoshoot to help redefine the word 'sexy'.

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Stephania Van Cluysen, known as Effie, is a transgender model starring in a new campaign with lingerie company Curvy Kate

The models in the campaign from far left: Taylor Crisp, Joanne Larby (Front), Megan Crabbe (polka-dot set), Grace Victory (Back left), Effie (centre), Therese Hansson (Green set), Georgina Horne (Back right) and Lotte Williams (far right)

Effie described growing up in Belgium as 'difficult', and says she felt like a female from her very first memory.

She told how she received years of hurtful abuse and ridicule from school bullies and even strangers in the street.

Her mother fully supported her decision and even took 'Jordie' - as Effie was formally known - to the doctor at three years old, saying 'my son is a girl'.

Effie, who took part in the campaign to show that transgender women can be sexy, said: 'Not everyone should look the same and if they did there wouldn't be a "sexy". We need a mix of people.

Behind the scenes at the lingerie brand's boudoir photo shoot. The stunning model is taking part in Curvy Kate's most inclusive campaign yet

The Belgian model said growing up was difficult as she always felt like a female. She underwent gender reassignment surgery in 2015

'Everybody has the right to feel okay with themselves and if the media show a wide range of women - different races, heights, sizes, ages and abilities then the girls looking at the models in the magazines and wishing to be them, will feel way more at ease with who they are.

'If they see someone who looks like them, they may be less likely to want to change.

'I'm Transgender and because of this, I worried whether people would accept me or not, but really the most important person to accept me was myself - and I'm so glad that I did.'

A report by The Fashion Spot stated that out of 422 models involved in the largest Spring Summer 2016 campaigns only 21.8 per cent were of colour, while 1.4 per cent were above a size 12.

What's more the study claims that no other transgender model was used.

Scantilly by Curvy Kate has never employed a professional model, instead choosing to celebrate its customers.

The brand looked to social media to find the eclectic mix of role models to wear the new boudoir collection.

Through the keyhole: Effie wanted to take part in the campaign to show that transgender women can be sexy

Redefining sexy: Effie modelling in a dark blue bra and knickers, complete with heels and suspenders

Head of PR and Marketing, Hannah Isichei added, 'It's important for us as a brand to speak to as many women as possible through our campaigns. We know our customers don't all look the same so why should our models?

'Why should boudoir lingerie just be reserved for a handful of society? We want women to look at our products and see them on a body they can relate to. Scantilly lingerie is for every woman and every body, so it's important that our models reflect this attitude.'

#TheNewSexy introduces eight powerful female role models, including an Alopecia Sufferer, an amputee and a recovered anorexic, all of whom want to show that they are confident and deserve to feel sexy in lingerie.

Scantilly by Curvy Kate's third collection includes peep-hole briefs, sexy suspenders, half cup balcony bras and sheer basques is available in sizes DD-HH cups and S-XL.