Jillian Ilana

Who I’m Looking Up to: Sinéad Burke

Jillian Ilana
Who I’m Looking Up to: Sinéad Burke

One of my biggest inspirations is a little person. I’ve talked about her many, many times before on this blog. Reading her story in the September 2019 issue of British Vogue ignited a passion in me that had been dormant for far too long and is one of the main reasons why I started this blog back in January. She is a writer, teacher, advocate and activist. Her name is Sinéad Burke. 

Seeing her on the cover of British Vogue, watching her work the Met Gala red carpet in her gorgeous Gucci dress, making fashion history as the first little person invited to fashion’s biggest night, I finally felt represented in the fashion industry. 

Through her TED Talks and her podcast, As Me, with Sinéad (If you haven’t listened to either I highly recommend doing so), Sinéad shows just how dynamic language can be. She said so herself, “It does not just name our society. It shapes it.” She challenges her audience to reconsider the power of design. In her talk Why Design Should Include Everyone she says, “Design is a way we can uphold a person’s dignity... and inflict vulnerability on a group whose needs aren’t considered.” She encourages her captive audience not to limit the applications of design to fashion as she describes the everyday little person struggles of using a public restroom and getting around an airport. On her podcast, she hosts candid conversations with designers, actors, politicians, musicians, asking them what it’s like to live in their body. She amplifies voices that need to be heard.

With their words, my parents taught me how to be an advocate. With her actions, Sinéad showed me. On a daily basis she is helping designers be more inclusive, broadening their definition of a target customer. Her influence is not confined to the fashion industry. She has visited schools, workplaces, even the White House, championing accessible design, educating those who want to make a difference but are unsure how. In 2019 she was appointed to the President of Ireland’s Council of State. I could go on and on. Sinéad is an unstoppable pioneer in the fashion industry. She epitomizes my personal life motto, “Height is just a number, not a limit”. 

Since starting this blog I have had the opportunity to speak to Sinéad both one-on-one and in a group setting (to say I fangirled after our first conversation would be quite an understatement), absorbing each piece of wisdom like a sponge. Not only has she helped me realize the person I want to be, she helped me believe that my aspirations were achievable and for that I am eternally grateful. 

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