Fashion and Disability: Top 8 Models with Disabilities

“Our identities make us who we are, and all aspects of our identities are important, including (maybe even specifically) our disabilities.”

– Chloe Hayden, Different, Not Less: A Neurodivergent’s Guide to Embracing Your True Self and Finding Your Happily Ever After

Since childhood, our self-image plays a vital role in building our identities. It is our view of ourselves that helps us find our way in life. Many of us are born with a disability or get afflicted at some point in life. We should not let this affect our way of thinking. In fact, we should make our disability our ability and apply ourselves fully in our pursuit of dreams. After all, there is nothing called a disability. We all are just differently abled. Keeping this mindset, we should persevere and move forward in life. However, this is not easy when there is little to no representation of the disability community in the mainstream media.

Fashion is one such industry where ableism thrives. Models are envisioned to be picture perfect, people like whom we aspire to become. In such a cut-throat and materialistic industry, very few groups get representation, especially the disabled. Disabled people often feel left out and less than they are due to a lack of representation. With a growing trend toward inclusion, this is gradually changing. Quite a few number of disabled fashion models have bravely broken barriers and taken to the runways. They serve as inspirations to not only the disabled community but also each and every person by proving that one can do anything as long as one puts their mind to it.

I did a quick survey of 10 people and here are the top fashion models who happen to be differently abled that they could tell me about off the top of their heads.

Jaime Brewer                                                                                       

Jaime Brewer is the first model with Down Syndrome to walk a fashion runway in New York Fashion Week. Her stint in Carrie Hammer’s Role Models Not Runway Models show in 2015 made her a role model for many. A strong advocate of the Down Syndrome community, Brewer was the youngest ever president of the Arc of Fort Bend County, an enterprise dedicated to the growth and upliftment of people with learning and developmental disabilities. She famously played a key role in the popular American TV show, American Horror Story.

Rebekah Marine

Rebekah Marine is popularly known as the bionic model. Born without a right forearm, Marine started her modeling career by wearing a prosthetic forearm. One day, a photographer advised her to take a few shots without her prosthesis. These clicks shot her to fame. She was featured in US Weekly, Time, Teen Vogue, and Cosmopolitan, among other famous publications.

Alexandra Kutas

Ukrainian fashion icon, Alexandra Kutas was the world’s first runway model in a wheelchair. She was Ukraine’s first model with a disability as well. Her photography exhibition in collaboration with photographer, Andrei Sarymsakov, is known as Break Your Chains. The exhibition strove to uplift the image of people with disabilities and break down people’s negative perceptions about them. She was a part of a show in the Runway of Dreams that was arranged in association with Tommy Hilfiger. Kutas played a significant role in the production of the world’s first fashion video with disabled models.

Jack Eyers

Jack Eyers is a prominent British model and personal trainer. At 16 years of age, he lost his leg and started wearing prosthetics. He considers himself fully able. In fact, he thought that before his amputation, he was disabled. This is because his prosthetic allows him to do things now that he could not do then. Eyers was the first amputee who was Mr. England. This is not the only first for him. He was the first disabled male model to walk in New York Fashion Week in 2015. He also had the opportunity to walk in London Fashion Week in the Teatum Jones /W 17 show.  

Kelly Knox

Born without her left forearm, Kelly Knox shuns wearing a prosthesis. She proudly displays her disability. Perhaps, this is why she ended up winning Britain’s Top Model. Knox is super confident about herself and continues to model for eminent fashion shows.

Jillian Mercado

Jillian Mercado is an upcoming model who is making waves in the fashion industry. Wheelchair-bound due to muscular dystrophy, Mercado had initially given up on her dreams of modeling. Things changed when she was chosen for an ad for Diesel Jeans. Since then, she has taken part in campaigns for Target. She was also a part of the merchandise ads for Beyoncé’s Formation Tour.

Aimee Mullins

Aimee Mullins suffered from fibular hemimelia and lost both her legs below the knees. She did not let this clip her wings. She was the muse of the famous fashion designer, Alexander McQueen. Mullins became one of the world’s first disabled models when she opened McQueen’s runway show in London in 1999. Harper’s Bazaar, Elle, Another, Numero, Vogue, and Dazed & Confused, among other renowned publications, featured her at one point or another. She was also the face of L’Oreal Paris. It is interesting to note that Aimee Mullins did not limit herself to the fashion world. She is a well-known Paralympian and a talented actress.

Rafi Solaiman

Rafi Solaiman was only 12 years old when he suffered a brain hemorrhage. As a result, he had to learn to talk and walk anew. His memory was also affected. This did not deter him. Today, though he speaks with a speech impediment and requires a walking frame or a wheelchair to move around, he is one of the emerging forces in the world of fashion. His role in the CBBC documentary, My Life: Changing the Face of Beauty, has brought his voice to the limelight. In addition to pursuing a career in runway modeling, he relentlessly advocates for his fellow disabled models.

Conclusion

Being a fashion model can be as challenging as it is inspirational. They represent a whole community and are the pioneers of a new era of fashion models. Also, they have constantly been on watch to know that they are being offered modeling jobs not because of their disability but for their own talents.

Do vote for your favorite specially-abled fashion model. Looking forward to your thoughts on these empowering individuals.

July 2024 marks a special milestone at The World’s Best Magazine as we proudly declare it the Diversity, Resilience, and Inclusion Month. Throughout the month – as well as in the few weeks immediately before and after it – we dedicate our platform to celebrating the richness of diversity, the strength of resilience, and the power of inclusion.

Join us as we spotlight stories that showcase the myriad facets of diversity, from cultural heritage to individual identities. Through our features, we aim to amplify voices that demonstrate resilience in the face of adversity, inspiring others to persevere and thrive.

Moreover, we pledge to champion inclusion in all aspects of our work, ensuring that every story, perspective, and experience is welcomed and valued. By embracing diversity, resilience, and inclusion, we strive to foster a more equitable and compassionate world.

Let’s come together to honor the beauty of our differences, celebrate the triumphs of the human spirit, and reaffirm our commitment to building a society where everyone is seen, heard, and valued.

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