‘SEE MY SMILE. SEE MY STYLE. SEE MY DISABILITY’

WHEELCHAIR USERS FROM AROUND D THE COUNTRY TOOK PART IN A HIGH PROFILE CHARITY FASHION SHOW, ‘DISABLED & SEXY: SEE MY SMILE. SEE MY STYLE. SEE MY DISABILITY’ WHICH WAS HELD AT THE TABERNACLE IN NOTTING HILL, LONDON IN LATE 2010.

Tess Daly, 21, post-graduate Image Consultancy and Fashion Styling student and wheelchair user was one of the main organisers of this event.

“After seeing programmes such as ‘Britain’s Missing Top Model’ and ‘How To Look Good Naked With A Difference’,  I wanted to revisit the idea of disability within fashion and show that people with even the most severe of disabilities can be sexy, follow fashion and display individuality,” said Tess.

I believe that people with severe disabilities are not only ignored within the fashion industry, but that they are also thought of in a stereotypically negative way by the general public. My hope is that this show will broaden the public’s horizons and encourage disability to be more accepted within our society.”

Like Tess many of the disabled models featured at the show suffer from Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), a neuromuscular disorder that is characterised by a degeneration of motor neurones, resulting in severe muscle weakness. Although SMA has a varying degree of effects, a very large proportion of those who have SMA are able to lead relatively active lives, but rely on the use of electric wheelchairs.

The show was raising money for The Jennifer Trust (Registered Charity No. 1106815) which is the only national charity in the UK dedicated both to supporting people affected by SMA, and investing in essential research into causes, treatments and eventually a cure for the condition.

Hosting the event was ‘Britain’s Missing Top Model’ judge, TV presenter and fashion agent Jonathan Phang. Model and wheelchair user Shannon Murray, who recently featured in high street Giants Debenhams advertising campaign, was one of the models who cruised down the catwalk. Debenhams showed its support by supplying a trendy menswear collection of checked shirts and leather jackets.

This was followed by a bespoke collection by new label ‘Too Many Dresses’. Founded in 2010 by Zoe Elley and Alice Bogunovic, they combine traditional looks with the avant-garde and created bondage accessory pieces worn by Tess Daly herself – as stylist of the event she certainly stood out. The Sex- Factor was provided by donated Ann Summers lingerie and Tess and her models, Tumu Johnson, Jay Taveno, Amy Dunn and Sophie Cox all cruised down the catwalk looking sultry and sexy.

Able-bodied models also took part in the show and strutted their stuff with accessories such as ‘Glam Sticks’ – jewel-encrusted crutches made by Debbie Deboo. Channel Four’s Jon Snow brought further glamour to the event, auctioneering a collection of luxury items donated by high fashion labels such as Miu Miu, Paul Smith and Miglio. The Glam Sticks of the catwalk were also auctioned off and fetched a large amount.

Disabled and Sexy? Those who took part in this show certainly were!

For more information on The Jennifer Trust and/or Spinal Muscular Atrophy, please visit www.jtsma.org.uk

Words Almaz Ohene