Inside accessible fashion: My modeling moments

It was dark inside Finch Field House. Loud cosmic techno music was blaring. Spotlights were shining through the darkness.

The stage manager peered beyond the curtain, waved her hand, and whispered, “Go!”

That’s exactly what I did.

This. This was the culmination of all our hard work, and I had the opportunity to roll the catwalk at the 25th Annual Threads Fashion Show.

I rolled onto the runway at Central Michigan University’s 25th Annual Threads Fashion Show—COSMIC ODYSSEY: Fashion’s Final Frontier.

As I started rolling in front of the packed crowd of 500+ people, I couldn’t stop thinking,

“Just don’t mess this up, Jennifer. Remember: Stop on your mark. Pause. Stare. Proceed down the runway. Pause. Stare. Roll a little further. One last pause. Turn around. One more pause. One more stare. Boom. All done. Proceed off the runway. Begin rolling backstage. Get in line for the curtain call.”

Wow! That was fast. Exhilarating. Fun. Fierce. Frightening. That’s fashion, right?

And I was included. 

Non-traditional 48-year-old, plus-size me. Non-walking, power wheelchair driving me. They wanted to include me.

It was more than just me. Among the more than 100 models, there were others who also use assistive devices and prosthetics. This was the first time that Threads featured accessible fashion. And they reached out to me to participate in this epic event.

What an incredible experience! 

While the memories of all that led up to this moment are still so fresh, I want to take you along on my nearly two-month journey into the fashion world.

Here are some snapshots of what it took to make me a model, plus a video of me on the runway. 

First impressions and fashion fittings

First meeting with my design team on February 3. After several emails and texts, schedules were coordinated and I had the initial meeting with my design team of Fashion Design student Grace Motzny and Disability Studies student Savannah Hackney in the Down Under Food Court on the Central Michigan University campus. In addition to my caregiver Jen Singer being there to help me, our friend Adam Miedema was there to capture video for a project he was developing for WCMU Public Media.
Second fitting on March 20. I made a trip back to campus to meet and work with my designer Grace, right, along with CMU Fashion Merchandising and Design faculty member Su Kyoung, middle, and Disability Studies student Hailie Moore, left.

Rehearsing and recharging for the runway

Practice makes perfect. The day before the Threads Fashion Show started at 10:30 a.m. with our first of many runthroughs to perfect our timing.
Lesson learned. After nearly five hours of rehearsals, my caregiver Jen and I took a break to charge my power wheelchair.
Hanging out in the models’ dressing room. Because my custom-designed outfit needed its own hanger for when I was done modeling it for the day.

Time to roll out the fashion

Getting my glam on. After an afternoon of more rehearsals, I had to report to make-up where a student volunteer made me beautiful. Ooh la la 🙂
Finishing touches. With the make-up completed, my designer Grace directs how my hair needed to be styled to complete my look.
Whimsical In Nature. I am joined just before we lined up for the show by the two other models in Grace’s collection, Faith Snell, left, and Taylor Horazy, right.
Designing women. I am so grateful I had the opportunity to work with such an incredible team on this project, led by fashion designer Grace Motzny, above, and Disability Studies student Savannah Hackney, below.
My behind-the-scenes team. Big THANKS to my loving husband, Dan, and caregiver Jen. Without the support and help of these two, I never would have been able to do any of this.

Special thanks to Adam Miedema for capturing this video of me – yes me, a model – on the runway.

10 Comments

  5. On the runway modelling accessible fashion and you rocked it! Accessible apparel and inclusive fashion design is real fashion forward.

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