While much of the fashion industry struggles with diversity on its runways, FTL Moda completely embraced it. The label showed its Fall 2015 collection this weekend, tapping the talents of a crop of disabled models to take a turn in their wares. Wheelchair-bound beauties, amputees, people on crutches and the able-bodied alike stormed the catwalk.
The show was done in collaboration with Italy’s Fondazione vertical, an organization that researches spinal chord injuries. All the models looked downright fierce in their looks. It’s easy to forget that there are other levels of diversity, especially in an industry that is so plagued in general by a lack of racial diversity. But it is not just people of color who are underrepresented on the runways. Jack Eyers, one of the models in the show became the first male amputee to walk the runway. There are millions of people in the world who love fashion and are disabled – shouldn’t they be represented too?
“It is a very significant moment in my fashion career,” show producer Ilaria Niccolini said. “This opportunity to finally open the most recognized runways in the world to these beautiful talents, ready to show that disability is very often just a mental state by performing on the runway next to some of the best models on the scene.”
[via BuzzFeed]
