New York Fashion Week runways have become increasingly diverse in recent seasons. Still, one group is just beginning to see more representation at Fashion Week: the disabled community.
Gabriella Santaniello is the founder and CEO of A Line Partners, a retail research firm investors turn to for help investing in brands and the fashion industry. In addition to her passion for retail, she is also passionate about the rights and representation of people with disabilities.
She said that in terms of trying to get fashion brands to listen to the issues facing the disability community and bringing in more disability representation, brands need to see this as a revenue driver.
“It’s unfortunate and horrible to say that in order for these brands to hear about the disability accommodations and representation we need, they need to see it as increasing their revenue,” Santaniello said. “It shouldn’t be like this, but the potential for brands to succeed in the disabled market is huge. I don’t understand why they can’t get on board, and that drives me crazy.”
Open Style Lab, a nonprofit organization committed to making style accessible to everyone, regardless of physical ability, is helping fight for this representation. This season, as a prelude to New York Fashion Week, the organization presents a one-of-a-kind runway show called Double Take, which aims to increase the visibility of people with disabilities and promote adapted fashion.
Annika Hutsler poses during Runway of Dreams’ A Fashion Revolution at The Majestic Downtown on March 8, 2022 in Los Angeles, California.
Jerod Harris/Getty for the Runway of Dreams Foundation
Double Take was created for the broader disability community by the spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) community, and their show will see all SMA models gracing the runways.
“We have to keep trying to put more people from different backgrounds on the runway.”
— Grace June
“The visibility of disability is one of the areas that needs to be more integrated into the mainstream culture,” said the organization’s executive director, Grace Jun. “We have to keep trying to get more people from different backgrounds on the runway because that’s a great place to start.”
This year, the Open Style Lab fellows who are designing for Double Take were chosen from around the world, and 80 percent of them are disabled. In an emailed statement to The Daily Beast, Andrea Saleh, one of this year’s fellows, said, “Thanks to Genentech’s support, Double Take gave me the opportunity to explore forward-thinking fashion designs that include people of all ages”. skills. I’ve collaborated with several people living with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) to co-create accessible clothing that fits both their personalities and individual needs, including Shane Burcaw, who has SMA and uses a power wheelchair.”
Matthew and Mike Fernandez on stage during A Fashion Revolution by Runway of Dreams at The Majestic Downtown on March 8, 2022 in Los Angeles, California.
Jerod Harris/Getty for the Runway of Dreams Foundation
Mindy Scheier, the founder of the Runway of Dreams Foundation, an organization that empowers people with disabilities through fashion, was inspired to start her organization by her son who has muscular dystrophy. Now, she’s also focused on helping champion the next generation of designers.
“One thing I always try to tell people is that disability can happen to any of us at any stage in our lives,” Scheier said. “There is no doubt that the industry is starting to get better at representing people with disabilities, and brands are slowly starting to treat disability-friendly fashion as a category no different than plus sizes or plus sizes. little. Runway of Dreams now uses the money we raise through our shows for scholarships for people focused on careers in adaptive fashion. We also partner with over 20 college clubs and universities to get them involved in the adaptive fashion movement. Adaptive fashion is starting to become an incredibly important category in the industry.”
Source: www.thedailybeast.com