A Fashion Revolution: The Runway Of Dreams Fashion Show
It’s my favorite time of year...New York Fashion Week. Yes, as they say in show business, the shows must go on. Due to COVID, the shows are being presented to us a little differently, but that just means the shows can reach and include a wider demographic than ever before. Monday night was no exception. For the first time EVER five major adaptive brands came together to create one spectacular and inspiring runway show.
In 2014, fashion designer Mindy Scheier was asked by her son, who lives with muscular dystrophy, for a pair of jeans that he could wear to school just like his friends. That one question had her realize that her son is out of millions of people with disabilities who cannot find clothing that is both fashionable and functional. Her answer? To launch Runway Of Dreams. It is a non-profit organization that “works toward a future of inclusion, acceptance and opportunity in the fashion industry for people with disabilities.” Runway Of Dreams promotes and supports programs that designs for and celebrate people with disabilities in the fashion industry. They have clubs on college campuses throughout the country. The foundation offers wardrobe grants to organizations that serve the disabled population for the purchase of adaptive clothing.
And, every year, Runway of Dreams puts on a fashion show revolution where models with disabilities have the chance to strut their stuff on the runway without limitations. This year was no exception. Yes, the runway was virtual, but that just meant people with disabilities from across the country could walk in designs made for them by five major adaptive brands: Tommy Hilfiger Adaptive, Zappos Adaptive, Target, Kohl’s and Stride Rite. With the help of the app Runway SAP, you could buy the looks right off the screen. And, to top it off, for the finale hundreds of people with disabilities (myself included) came together to tell the viewers, the fashion industry, and society as a whole…
“I Am Fashion”
Watching the show I was moved to tears. I’m used to seeing runway show after runway show where the models were all able-bodied, tall and thin. Having walked in a body positive fashion show before, I knew the industry was changing. Yet, I still felt that people like me, people with disabilities, were not being seen by the editors, photographers and designers. I never imagined I would see a runway show during Fashion Week where not only is every model disabled, but every model is wearing clothes from a major fashion brand that is both fashionable and functional. I could only dream of such an inclusive fashion show, one that I could be a part of. And last night, that dream became a reality.
As a person with a disability, I believe that Monday night marked the beginning of real, everlasting change in the fashion industry. The conversation about inclusivity in fashion can no longer exclude people with disabilities. Moreover, the conversation cannot be limited to designers. Looking ahead, I am hoping that one day I will be able to open the pages of Vogue, perhaps the biggest fashion magazine in the world, and models with disabilities, like those who walked the runway Monday night, in its editorials and on the cover.
Congratulations to all the models, Mindy, and Runway Of Dreams on an incredible virtual fashion revolution. It was a night to remember and the best way to kick-off the Fall 2020 New York Fashion Week.
