The Friendship Circle of Virginia, in partnership with the VCUarts Department of Fashion Design + Merchandising and presented by QTS Data Centers, celebrated inclusivity, creativity, and the future of accessible fashion at the Disability & Adaptive Fashion Show.
This event showcased adaptive clothing designed for people of all ages and various disabilities, featuring designs from local and national clothing companies. Models with disabilities walked and rolled down the runway together with their companion models and friends and took the stage together to highlight the intersection of fashion and function, demonstrating how accessibility and style can work hand in hand.
Renowned RVA radio host, Jeff Katz, emceed the event. Special guest, US Paralympian, Christian King, shared his incredible story of determination and success while also sharing his adaptive clothing from this year’s US Paralympics.
I had the pleasure of attending this event with my oldest daughter and son. The community had the opportunity to witness 25 models with disabilities of all ages triumph across the fashion runway.
You didn’t have to know any of the models, yet you’ll found yourself immediately cheering for them. Each of the models exhibited so much of their personality that it illuminated the runway from start to finish. I couldn’t stop smiling. It was such a joy to watch! Plus, we have a better understanding of the increased need to make adaptive clothing available for all people.
The work that Friendship Circle of Virginia does to support the disability community is nothing short of extraordinary. Their organization offers support for not only teens with disabilities, but the entire family unit. They work hard to ensure that everyone, is treated with dignity, respect and love. It’s like a family within a family.
My children and I left the fashion show feeling uplifted. As a mom of a 12-year-old son with special needs, I’ve always encouraged him to embrace his condition, that it makes him unique and to use it as a superpower. The models not only embraced their uniqueness, but they boldly celebrated it.
And it was an incredible sight to witness.
Well done, Friendship Circle of Virginia!
