Models With Disabilities Redefining the Fashion Runway
The fashion industry is transforming as models with disabilities step into the spotlight, pushing diversity and representation on the global runway.
Models With Disabilities: Changing the Face of the Fashion Runway
The fashion world has long perpetuated a narrow standard of beauty—often exclusive, rarely representative. But today, a new generation of models with disabilities are boldly owning the runway, proving that beauty knows no boundaries. Their visibility is reshaping industry standards and challenging assumptions, showing that style, strength, and self-expression come in many forms.
A Historic Fashion Moment: FTL Moda’s Inclusivity Breakthrough
Designers like Antonio Urzi have played a pivotal role in expanding representation on the runway. During FTL Moda’s fall/winter 2015 show in New York, Urzi made history by casting models with varied disabilities from around the world. The show, part of New York Fashion Week (NYFW), wasn’t just a spectacle—it was a bold statement for inclusion. This was a space that, until recently, celebrated only the so-called “cookie-cutter” model, rarely representing society at large.
Among the trailblazers that season was Jack Eyers, who became the first male amputee to walk the NYFW runway. “To be the first male amputee model at New York Fashion Week feels amazing,” Eyers reflected (according to Caters News). “It feels like such a big deal. I just want to show that having a disability doesn’t need to hold you back.”
- Jack Eyers: First male amputee to walk the NYFW runway, inspiring thousands with his message of resilience.
- Female amputee models also walked, some in wheelchairs, demonstrating diverse forms of movement and beauty.
- Landi Accessories Collection: Featured on the runway, with models of all abilities proudly carrying these designer pieces.
Designer Collaborations for Advocacy and Research
Antonio Urzi’s presentation partnered with Fondazione Vertical, an Italian research foundation for spinal cord injuries, lending even deeper meaning to the show. This collaboration underscored the intersection between fashion and advocacy—proof that the catwalk can be a platform for more than clothes, but also for change and social progress.
A Watershed Week for Diversity: Carrie Hammer’s Breakthrough
Just days before FTL Moda’s show, designer Carrie Hammer staged another powerful act of inclusion during her own NYFW show. She cast models who were not just “runway models” but “role models”—her deliberate phrasing.
The show famously featured Jamie Brewer, known for her role in “American Horror Story,” who has Down syndrome, as well as Dr. Danielle Sheypuk, a clinical psychologist and Ms Wheelchair New York 2012. Sheypuk became the first wheelchair-user ever to appear on the NYFW runway (according to Huffington Post).
- Jamie Brewer: The first model with Down syndrome at NYFW, breaking new ground for actors and individuals with intellectual disabilities.
- Dr. Danielle Sheypuk: By appearing as a model, Sheypuk sent a potent message—visibility creates confidence and possibility for people with disabilities everywhere.
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Carrie Hammer explained her philosophy: “I made the decision to cast ‘role models not runway models.’ It is so important to me that women have positive body image and are empowered in work and their life. My line makes dresses to fit women. We don’t make dresses that women need to fit into.”
Why Runway Representation Matters
Despite nearly 15% of the world’s population living with a disability, disabled models remain almost absent from the fashion spotlight—comprising only 0.02% of fashion campaigns (according to the World Health Organization and V MAG). This lack of visibility sends a harmful message: that disability is incompatible with beauty or style. Emily Barker, a model and wheelchair-user, has criticized how mainstream runway fashion fails to accommodate those who use mobility aids, making adaptive equipment seem “unflattering” and reinforcing stigmas.
This cycle keeps many designers from considering disabilities as a powerful point of authenticity and impact. By including medical devices on the runway and giving models their rightful place, designers have the chance to normalize disability, move beyond stereotypes, and connect with a vastly underrepresented audience.
Toward True Diversity: Breaking Stereotypes in Fashion
When people with disabilities are visible on global runways, they challenge two main stereotypes commonly perpetuated in media:
- The object of pity: Absence of disabled models feeds a narrative of weakness or dependence.
- The superhero: Disabled individuals are either invisible or depicted only in terms of “overcoming” their disability, rarely shown simply as people.
Born from decades of underrepresentation, these extremes can be countered only by creating a true, authentic space for people with disabilities—seeing them as multifaceted individuals who wear, design, and enjoy fashion.
Emerging Icons: Trailblazers on the Catwalk
The list of boundary-breaking models continues to expand with every season. Their success stories are rewriting the criteria for success in style.
- Rafi Solaiman: A British model who, after a childhood stroke, walked the runway using a walker and appeared in campaigns for Zebedee, an agency devoted to inclusive talent. Rafi’s presence in fashion underscores the movement that beauty is, above all, about inclusion, authenticity, and joy.
- Aaron Philip: Born in Antigua and raised in New York, Aaron, a black, transgender, disabled model using a motorized wheelchair, became the first disabled model represented by Elite Model Management. Her work with outlets like Paper Magazine and ASOS inspires changes at every level—urging designers to build physically accessible runways and adapt sizes for all bodies.
- Sofía Jirau: A Puerto Rican model with Down syndrome, she made headlines as the first Victoria’s Secret model with Down syndrome, redefining global beauty standards in the Love Cloud Collection campaign.
Behind the Scenes: Advocacy, Agencies, and Industry Change
The rise of models with disabilities is not accidental. Empowered by agencies like Zebedee Management and supported by advocacy groups, today’s models find a more receptive—if still imperfect—industry.
These organizations don’t just help models find jobs. They meet with major brands, run workshops with designers, and push for accessible fashion spaces and adaptive clothing options. As both clients and models demand inclusion, fashion’s business case for diversity gets stronger every season.
The New Normal: Accessibility in Fashion
- Accessible runways: Ramps, wider aisles, and backstage spaces that support mobility aids and diverse physical needs.
- Adaptive clothing: Garments that account for wheelchair users, prosthetics, and other adaptive devices, blending function with fashion.
- Expanded campaigns: Advertisements and showcases featuring models of all abilities, backgrounds, and body types.
Impact on Audiences and Aspiring Models
When people with disabilities see themselves honestly represented in fashion, it isn’t only a victory for them. It’s also a powerful symbol of possibility for anyone who has ever felt excluded or invisible.
Dr. Danielle Sheypuk described this effect: “People with disabilities need to see it. It’s a confidence booster. It’s like, ‘if she’s doing it, I can do it. Who cares about my wheelchair?'”
Runway Milestones: A Timeline of Inclusion
| Year | Milestone | Name(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | First wheelchair-using model at NYFW | Dr. Danielle Sheypuk |
| 2015 | First male amputee model at NYFW | Jack Eyers |
| 2015 | Jamie Brewer, actress with Down syndrome, models at NYFW | Jamie Brewer |
| 2018 | First black, transgender, disabled model signed to Elite Model Management | Aaron Philip |
| 2022 | First Victoria’s Secret model with Down syndrome | Sofía Jirau |
Designers Championing Change
- Antonio Urzi (FTL Moda): Created an inclusive runway and partnered with disability research advocates.
- Carrie Hammer: Prioritized “role models,” eschewing arbitrary runway standards for people who inspire in daily life.
- Donna Karan: Joined a growing movement, casting “real” people, not just traditional models.
- Other new voices: Brands like ASOS, Tommy Hilfiger, and SKIMS have all expanded their definitions of beauty and accessibility by hiring models with disabilities.
The Road Ahead: Fashion’s Ongoing Responsibility
While progress is tangible, the fashion world still has far to go. Accessibility, representation, and the celebration of difference should be the industry’s baseline—not a fleeting trend. As more trailblazers model on runways and appear in campaigns, expectations are changing. Runway shows, ad campaigns, and high-profile collections have the power to reinforce positive body image and build community among people with disabilities.
Shifting the paradigm takes effort from everyone:
- Designers must prioritize adaptive fashion and accessible show spaces.
- Agency leaders should actively scout and support disabled talent.
- Consumers can demand greater inclusion with their purchasing power and social media advocacy.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Why is the inclusion of models with disabilities so significant for the fashion industry?
A: The presence of disabled models challenges entrenched beauty standards, promotes authentic representation, and offers visibility to a marginalized community. For many, it fosters a sense of belonging and possibility, reaffirming the broader truth that fashion is for everyone.
Q: Are brands making adaptive clothing lines more widely available?
A: Growing demand for inclusivity has encouraged several major brands to introduce adaptive lines. For example, Nike, Tommy Hilfiger, and Target now offer clothing designed for different abilities, showing that adaptability and style can coexist.
Q: How can runways be made more accessible?
A: Runways can be made accessible with ramps, wider aisles, backstage modifications for assistive devices, and open casting calls for disabled talent. These measures help welcome models with a range of mobility needs.
Q: How do disabled models view their roles in the industry?
A: Many disabled models consider their work both a personal achievement and an act of advocacy. They often hope their visibility will inspire others and encourage systemic change in fashion and media.
Q: Where can I find more information about inclusive modeling agencies?
A: Agencies like Zebedee Management, We Speak, and Gamut Management specialize in representing models with disabilities and advocating for greater industry inclusion. These groups work closely with brands to promote diversity in fashion.
References
- https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/fashion/news/a36641/photos-of-models-with-disabilities-owing-the-runway/
- https://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/fashion/news/a25308/model-wheelchair-new-york-fashion-week/
- https://www.vmagatuva.com/features/blog-post-title-one-khal7-rbd42-7f2hw-xrgzh-45se9-bgntl-klsyw-52ytf-thrr8-rxamz-7j6hl-y3dzr-8jxw3-j66wc-sp4zm-y5kwy-c3gbj
- https://www.urevolution.com/blogs/magazine/inclusive-fashion-models-with-disabilities
- https://www.femestella.com/7-disabled-models-who-are-killing-it-in-the-fashion-world/
- https://www.aol.com/lifestyle/activist-disabilities-went-being-role-184418769.html
- https://www.marieclaire.com/fashion/news/a13382/this-groundbreaking-fashion-show-included-models-with-disabilities/
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