Jesinta Franklin has thrown her support behind non-binary activist Deni Todorovič in Seafolly role

Former face of Seafolly and wife of AFL star Buddy Franklin says Seafolly using a non-binary model in its latest campaign is “inspirational”.

Jesinta Franklin has thrown her support behind Deni Todorovič, who sparked outrage after being named a brand partner of swimwear giant Seafolly.

Jesinta Franklin has thrown her support behind non-binary author and activist Deni Todorovič, who sparked outrage after being named a brand partner of swimwear giant Seafolly.

An image of Todorovic in heels and a yellow bikini bottom posted on Instagram this week sent some social media users into meltdown and fired up the anti-woke brigade.

However, Franklin, who was named the global face of Seafolly last year, described Todorovic as inspirational.

“I find what they do so inspirational, especially as a parent, because it provides visibility to a group of people who have been silenced and pushed away for so long,” Franklin said.

“Fashion is about inclusivity, it is about embracing who you are, being who you are, being authentic and I think the more brands that promote that the better, because it gives space to people who have not had that room to express themselves before.

“As a mother I want to see more of it because I want both of my children to grow up knowing that they can be 100 per cent who they are without any fear of judgment or oppression, or anything like that.

Jesinta Franklin was named the global face of Seafolly last year. Picture: Supplied

Jesinta Franklin and models on the runway of the PayPal Melbourne Fashion Show. Picture: Ian Currie

Jesinta Franklin, pictured on the runway of the PayPal Melbourne Fashion Show, says “fashion is about inclusivity, about embracing who you are”. Picture: Ian Currie

“If the worst thing that happens in the world is a man wearing a dress or a woman wearing a suit, then we have got it pretty good.”

Franklin was the star attraction at the closing night of the PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival on Saturday, taking to the catwalk after a six year break wearing looks by Jason Grech, Nagnata and Gary Bigeni. Her husband, Sydney Swans star Buddy Franklin was at home in Sydney doing “daddy daycare” with their children Tullulah, 3, and Rocky, 2.

“I honestly did not know if I was going to do runway again after having children, because you don’t know how the industry is going to embrace you, or how you are going to feel, and having children changes a lot,” she said.

“It does feel a little bit emotional.

“It is probably not something I would have done for just any brand … it had to be the right thing to come back for and PayPal is such an incredible brand, there is such a give back aspect to the company.

“They have made a generous donation to Australian Literacy and Numeracy Foundation and they have had staff members volunteer for ALNF which is a charity Bud and I have worked with for eight years now.”