Strutting down the runway, I strike a pose, and my sapphire blue Neural Sleeve catches the light of the photographer’s camera. The audience cheers. I’m walking down the runway for the Runway of Dreams Fashion Show for New York Fashion Week, modeling adaptive fashion for women.
Increasing Representation in Fashion
Runway of Dreams is a nonprofit with a mission to increase disability representation in the fashion and beauty industries. When I was approached earlier this year to model in their NYFW show, I simply couldn’t say no because as a person with disabilities, I feel that the mission is too important to be ignored. People with disabilities need to see people who look like us in the mainstream media, and I saw modeling in this show as a way to play my own small part in increasing representation in fashion.
Fitting Before the Show
Going into my fitting a few days before the big show, I was nervous. I mean, I knew I’d be modeling adaptive fashion for women, but when I was informed that specifically there would be lingerie involved, I got nervous. I’m no professional model, I’m just a normal girl on a mission to flip the switch around how we perceive disability. I’m comfortable in front of a camera, but lingerie? I didn’t know what to expect.
Luckily for me, when I strolled into my NYFW fitting, I was pleased to discover that I wouldn’t just be modeling the VS Adaptive bra and panties, but a super cute Victoria’s Secret loungewear cardigan and sweat shorts over top it, paired with Zappos sneakers to complete the look. I tried on my outfit in the dressing room and it fit perfectly. I couldn’t wait for the fashion show, just mere days away.
Deciding Which Mobility Aid to Use
After I learned what I’d be wearing for New York Fashion Week, the next question was, what would I use as my mobility aid? I decided to wear my blue Neural Sleeve for the show. It perfectly matched my Victoria’s Secret Adaptive Fashion for Women look.
I was nervous going into the day. But my anxiety quickly faded when I learned that all of the models would be doing multiple walkthroughs of the show to get comfortable with walking/rolling down the runway. Soon, I began to get excited. And as the energy from all the other models rubbed off on me, I felt even more eager for the show to begin.
Increasing Disability Representation in the Fashion
I think it is vitally important for people with disabilities to see people like them in mainstream fashion and beauty, which are industries that historically have tended to leave us out. I was proud to play my own small role in broadening representation and showing the world that our mobility aids serve to enhance our lives—not just from a functional standpoint but also a fashionable standpoint—one step at a time, in my Neural Sleeve.
Modeling Adaptive Fashion for Women: My Takeaways
As I walked down the runway, I was so filled with adrenaline that I didn’t even have time to feel nervous. It was so cool to see models with visible and invisible disabilities strut down the runway as their authentic selves, exuding confidence and excitement.
Each and every one of us has a disability and we are bonded by our common goal and mission to educate, raise awareness, and support our community. My Neural Sleeve enabled me to walk the runway during New York Fashion Week and feel pride at my accomplishment.
A few years ago I never would have had the confidence to do something like this – I was too down on myself and my situation. I know I walk differently than most able-bodied, neurotypical people, but I’ve learned to embrace my differences as my strengths. It is what makes me me, and I am special.
The moment I learned to embrace my differences and see them as a strength instead of a crutch—as a key part of my identity but not the sole-defining feature—everything changed.
I love my Neural Sleeve – because of it, I am able to traverse without fear and experience the world. Whether it’s to the grocery store or to the runway, I’m wearing my Neural Sleeve to help me carry out life activities. How and where do you wear your Neural Sleeve?
