New York Fashion Week, a Jumpsuit and The Next Generation of Fashion
by Sydney
This is part two of a post on disability, adaptive fashion and making style accessible to all. You can read part one here. Join us on social media and share your thoughts!
Last week was New York Fashion Week, and while I normally don’t pay too much attention to the fanfare, I was struck by one show in particular: Runway of Dreams FASHION REVOLUTION.
The show, presented by Runway of Dreams Foundation, showcased trends for Spring 2019 from designers like Nike and Target, and modeled by people with disabilities. The runway was fully accessible and, to top it all off, the show was hosted by actor RJ Mitte (you may know him from Breaking Bad).
Elsewhere in New York City, Mama Cax, a model-activist and amputee, walked in the Chromat show.
via ASOS
Seeing this news got me thinking about a “wheelchair-friendly” jumpsuit from online retailer ASOS I’d seen making the Internet rounds a couple months ago. The paint-splattered, pastel jumpsuit is fun, bold and makes a statement. Perhaps even more thrilling than the design is the story behind it.
According to Racked.com, BBC reporter and para-athlete Chloe Ball-Hopkins had to miss a much-anticipated music festival headliner because “when the weather turned, her options weren’t great: She could wear a plastic poncho that was difficult to wheel in, or carry an umbrella and have a friend push her”. Fed up, she contacted the design team at ASOS and got to work on collaborating on the garment. It was met with unanimous approval and enthusiasm, from both people with and without disabilities.
If NYFW and that cute ASOS jumpsuit are any indication, the tides are turning. At Easterseals, we’re all about being the change and finding solutions. What do you think is the best way to get more retailers carrying adaptive, affordable and stylish clothing?