Two fashion shows held during New York Fashion Week highlighted life-changing movements over seasonal trends and demonstrated the unique sense of empowerment that fashion can provide. Both events were designed by women who see fashion as an opportunity to have a positive impact on people’s lives. There is no ignoring how we dress to make an impression in our daily lives. The clothes we wear give us recognition, acceptance, confidence and praise. But our clothes can also judge us.
The Rise 2023 NYFW Survivor Fashion Show, titled “What were you wearing?”, addressed the latter. Victims of sexual assault who have faced this question in the past appeared on the runway in luxurious looks selected by major international designers such as Veronica Beard, Peter Do, Prabal Garung, Chloé, Saks Fifth Avenue and others.
“This show represents our ongoing fight for the rights of survivors everywhere, so that survivors, regardless of where they are, have access to legal systems that protect them, not their rapists,” said Amanda Nguyen, founder and executive director of Rise, speaking on Capitol Hill is just as common as on a catwalk. “We are launching a multilateral treaty campaign for universal jurisdiction for sexual crimes because ending impunity and protecting survivors of sexual assault is the shared responsibility of the international community. It’s time we expand access to justice for all survivors.”
Rise has passed over 60 laws for more than 100 million survivors and counting. In addition to working to pass a sexual assault survivors’ rights bill in all 50 U.S. states, Rise is also advocating for the passage of a UN resolution that would ensure survivors access to justice that is not dependent on geography should depend. Last year, Rise helped pass the United Nations’ first stand-alone resolution to protect sexual assault survivors – a historic milestone that provides 1.3 billion survivors access to justice.
The fashion show was followed by dance, singing and poetry performances. Nguyen herself closed the show in a three-piece look by Brunello Cucinelli, a brand that Rise has long known as a supporter of the organization’s work. Nguyen’s outfit was both fun and elegant, while other survivors chose everything from the most glamorous dresses to printed day dresses and precise, colorful cuts. The event is in its third year and was held at Forbes on Fifth in Lower Manhattan. Rise describes itself as a “citizen rights accelerator empowering citizens to assert their own rights” and continues its efforts on behalf of survivors to reclaim the phrase “What were you wearing?”
Runway of Dreams calls for fashion revolution with an adaptive catwalk and exhibition
The Runway of Dreams fashion show, titled “A Fashion Revolution,” at Brooklyn’s Powerhouse Arts space featured adaptive and universally designed looks from Zappos, Kohl’s, Target, Tommy Hilfiger Adaptive, Steve Madden, French Toast Adaptive and Adidas, among others. Also featured was the runway debut of Victoria’s Secret and Pink’s first adaptive lingerie collection. 70 models with different disabilities and backgrounds as well as their relatives and carers took the catwalk.
Runway of Dreams founder Mindy Scheier hosted the show accompanied by Shaquem Griffin, a former NFL linebacker who appeared in Neiman Marcus and Tommy Hilfiger clothing. Other notable participants included Victoria’s Secret Model Mayowa Nicholas, Lydia Smith, Chief Diversity Officer, Victoria’s Secret & Co, Scott Schaefer, CEO of Zappos, Dana Zumbo, Zappos Adaptive Business Development Manager, Billy Price, Founder of Billy Footwear, Logan Alridge and Aaron Rose Philip.
Victoria’s Secret Launches Adaptive Lingerie Line at Runway of Dreams
“The Runway of Dreams has seen brands celebrate the debut of their adaptive designs over the years, and I am thrilled and honored to welcome Victoria’s Secret and Pink Adaptive to the adaptive family. Knowing that Victoria’s Secret and Pink Adaptive products are designed with and for people with disabilities demonstrates their commitment to true inclusion and understanding of the work it takes to authentically create these products,” said Scheier.
“We are excited to present our first-ever adaptive collection on the Runway of Dreams during New York Fashion Week,” commented Lydia Smith, Chief Diversity Officer, Victoria’s Secret & Co. “We are honored to join the many brands that who chose to showcase their adaptive clothing on this runway, contributing to the historical timeline that represents the future of fashion.”
Founded in 2014, the Runway of Dreams Foundation is a public charity focused on empowering people with disabilities to have confidence and self-expression through inclusion in fashion and beauty. She champions innovation in adaptive design and raises awareness through large-scale fashion shows, inclusion campaigns, educational programs that inspire and nurture the next generation of design innovators and marketing leaders, and thought-provoking events.
Runway of Dreams also organized a free and open to the public exhibition featuring adaptive and universally designed collections from mainstream brands committed to inclusivity in the fashion and beauty industries. It took place over three days at Hudson Yards in Manhattan during NYFW to highlight the need for true inclusion in our mainstream world.
This article originally appeared on FashionUnited.uk. Translated and edited by Simone Preuss.