Writer Madison Lawson on why it’s important that people with disabilities are better represented in magazines, campaigns and on the runway
Why Disability Representation Is Crucial to Building a Better, More Inclusive Fashion Industry
The first time I attended New York Fashion Week was in 2017. As I arrived in the city that never sleeps, it quickly became evident as to why people call it that: there simply isn’t time to sleep when you’re navigating accessibility barriers. I went from fashion show to fashion show, where every time the people at the door were rarely informed on how a wheelchair user like myself could enter the building. At one point, my personal assistant had to throw me over her shoulder and drag my chair up the steps behind her — not the entrance I had always dreamed of, but it got me thinking: in an industry that celebrates diversity, why wasn’t there anyone around that looked like me?
I was born with a rare form of muscular dystrophy that causes progressive muscle loss throughout the body and, in some cases, leads to lung failure. Throughout my life, fashion and beauty have been my happy place. I find normality in eclectic patterns and vibrant lipsticks that allow me to stand out and actually feel seen instead of stared at. Because, although I might catch someone’s attention initially because of my wheelchair, I tend to hold on to it because of my style. But, like most people with disabilities, when it comes to representation in the fashion and beauty industries, I have often felt excluded.
This story originally appeared on: Vogue - Author:Madison Lawson
