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16 April 2021
The World Health Organization (WHO) states that 15 percent of people have some disability. This is the world's largest minority community. This is a community that does not have any limit. Anyone can become a part of it at any time in their life. Yet most of them are left out of the conversation even today. Although, in recent years, things have started to change. They are specially-abled instead of disabled. Social media has helped people with disabilities to shape the perspective of people towards them. This is also true about the fashion industry. People with disabilities are on the runway, on the magazine covers, in fashion advertisements, even in beauty campaigns. This representation is slowly diminishing the stigmas surrounding people with disabilities. The journey to do so is neither easy nor quick.
A huge step
Many around the globe have put their everything for disabled people to get the recognition they deserve. And they do not even the credit or be called as brave. They believe that there is no bravery is simply going for the things that they want, just like everybody else. Although the dedication and determination are noteworthy.
" You have the power to change perception, to inspire and empower, and to show people how to embrace their complications, and see the flaws and the true beauty and strength that's inside all of us." - Beyonce.
Here are some of the people who took a huge step towards betterment,
Jillian Mercado is an actress and an American fashion model as well. She has muscular dystrophy and as a result, she uses a wheelchair. Jillian is an important figure in the movement of challenging beauty standards in the fashion industry. She is one of the few professional models who are in a wheelchair. Mercado is determined to fight the gap between people with disabilities and the beauty ideals in the fashion industry. Hence breaking the stigma.
Madeline Stuart is an Australian fashion model born in the year 1996. She is a model with down syndrome. Madeline has appeared on the runways all around the world. Right from the New York Fashion Week Catwalk to Mercedes Benz Fashion Week China. The list goes on. She is the world’s first professional model with Down syndrome. Hence an inspiration to many.
Melanie Gaydos is a 28 years old American woman with a genetic disorder called ectodermal dysplasia. This is a disorder that has been with her since her birth. It is a genetic condition in which teeth, pores, nails, cartilage, and bones are not developed. This is a rare condition. She also has alopecia and is partially blind. Despite all this, she decided to not limit herself and drown in the stigma. She is into modeling for several years now and also works with different and famous photographers.
They and many others have brought a revolution in the fashion industry. It is without a doubt a huge step towards inclusion and breaking the stigma.
The inclusion
For a long time, fashion is for the people who are perfect in the eyes of society. People call only those beautiful who are presentable. Any kind of diverse approach was not welcome in the industry. Due to the illusion of perfection shown by the fashion industry society started to believe in it. Hence, it gave rise to unrealistic beauty standards. Today the definition of beauty has changed due to the woke approach of the people. People have also become vocal about the injustice that prevailed in the fashion industry. Therefore, many set a milestone for the change. But the situation will not change unless it is improved from the root. For that, all the inclusions should be taught in the fashion school itself. Not just the modeling industry but the designing aspects should also be improved for good.
Students in the fashion school can be taught to keep in mind all shapes and sizes of the people who are going to wear that dress. This will naturally imbibe the thought that fashion is for everyone. Wonders can happen if the brands, retailers, and industries are aware of different disabilities and the challenges they face. Also, just the visibility of disability is not enough. It is important that the brand caters to this customer and include them in every possible way. The most important and effective way of inclusion is to consult the target audience. No one can state the needs other than them.
Adaptive clothing
Adaptive clothing is modified clothing. It enables people with disabilities to dress easily. The main objective of this clothing is to ensure independence for the people who wish to get dressed on their own. It typically includes easy access snaps, velcros, stretchy fabrics, etc. This type of clothing is beneficial for the caretakers as well who are the potential to be more efficient. A common misconception for adaptive clothing consists that it is only for wheelchair users, while it can be for anyone unable for conventional clothing.
The inclusion of the disabled in fashion and beauty is surely a step in the right direction, but one also needs to consider that the industry has a long way to go.
