London Represents Fashion show & Networking event gave models with disability the opportunity to showcase their talent on the runway during fashion week
London Fashion Week is one of the most inclusive public events juxtaposing fashion with sustainability and ethics. The London Represents Event took place at the National Liberal Club, on September 17th. Samanta Bullock, a model and the event’s co-founder, hosted the night and brought important topics to the spotlight.
The event aims to highlight the true diversity of emerging British designers. “I think that representation it’s a big topic; we need to relate disability to reality, people with all types of bodies and circumstances,” said the co-owner Samanta Bullock.
LONDON REPRESENTS: INSPIRING CATWALK WITH MODELS WITH DISABILITIES
Representing diversity, the catwalk featured models of every body shape, sizes and background. The runway also allowed famous disability sports players from the UK to shine in front of the cameras and onlooking crowd. “For me, it means so much to be modeling for Vitta. These brands here are absolutely fabulous; they allow us to show ourselves while experiencing the new world”, explained Abbey Breakwell, wheelchair tennis player.
FASHION & STYLE ENVIRONMENT
From the presenters to the models and also the public, style was in abundance. Colors and sparkles were shown off in every room of the event.
A sustainable blue and red dress by WeDress Collection opened the first catwalk of the edition. Wearing an all-white eco-conscious fabric, models with Dwarfism were spreading positivity as they slinked and sashayed down the catwalk. Beauty and glamour abounded with high-quality clothing. Such as intricate details on bags and accessories all the way to glamorous dresses and delicate lingerie. There was also an unusual design of garments and tailored jackets throughout the show, walked by a diversity of models. Combining fashion and inclusion, the catwalk gave the onlookers a show of beauty and stylish outfits.
FULL-DAY EVENT: CATWALK, NETWORKING & INDUSTRY PANEL TALK
The event included catwalk shows and industry Q & A panels with well-known names from the fashion scene. In addition, a networking opportunity with music was held and then a luncheon to finish the event. In the afternoon show, the brands WeDress Collective and Chamiah Dewey opened the catwalk, followed by Vitta, SB Shop, Wilson and Ritu Ganshani. The owner and CEO of Wedress, Jasmin Huber, explained that visibility is the key to dealing with disability nowadays: “I think all we need, when it comes to representation, is to be visible. This event gives us an option and the opportunity to connect because it shows that we are not alone, and it brings valuable conceptions”.
Additionally, the evening timetable brought a variety of different brands to the catwalk. The line-up brought diversity to London’s fashion industry, including the brands Differently Enabled, Unaptive, David WEJ and Elidys.
POP-UP STALLS & THEIR BRANDS AT LONDON REPRESENTS
This fashion show also included exhibitions from collections at pop-up stalls with some of the brands that made up part of the catwalk. Maria Costa, co-founder of Belo Bags, brought-up that the concept of what’s beauty was imposed on society for decades. “For me to be here with open-minded people that are also trying to make a difference in the industry is a combination of forces that show that everything is possible. We are trying to challenge the market and show that all kinds of beauty and fashion are beautiful and deserve a space”, added Maria Costa.
London Represents’ Infrastructure
A full infrastructure was made at a historic building: The National Liberal Club. It’s one of the most classical private member clubs in London. This edition had unfettered access to the entire building. Aside from the building’s elegant design with its spiraling marble staircase, the event was fully prepared in terms of accessibility for both the public and the models.
ABOUT LONDON REPRESENTS
Since 2011, London Represents has hosted and organized more than 100 fashion events in the Capital of fashion, London. The fashion event has brought ethics and inclusion to the front role. Therefore, showcasing and also a diversity of models with all the types of backgrounds unseen in other shows.
The event has been blessed with brands that hold true to values that are emblematic of the fight for equality in Disability and Ethics alike.
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