Overlooked.
Disability- The forgotten issue
Let’s talk disability and prove different is beautiful. Why does disability seem to be fashion’s overlooked frontier? Considering 1 in 5 people from the UK have a disability it shouldn’t be seen as unfamiliar. After ID spoke to aspiring fashion designer Sarah Holmes and Hollywood actor Phillip Searle they prove that being different is beautiful. It’s about time disability was at the forefront of conversation and that time is now.
Sarah Holmes is a 21 year old Fashion Design student from Doncaster who has Cerebral Palsy, a neurological condition that affects one side of the body. “If more people knew and were aware of different disabilities then I don’t think people would discriminate because it’s a quality of life,” she said. Despite the fact that 19% of the population live with some form of disability, society continues to discriminate and ignore something that should be celebrated and praised, as these individuals break boundaries and defy the odds that able bodied people may not achieve. Sarah continued: “If disability was more promoted out there I think we would all be equal.” The media often portrays diversity as an umbrella term for gender, sexuality, race and age; with disability taking a back seat as a topic of conversation, alienating this section of society. “When I was younger I used to watch TV and read magazine articles but I never really came across anyone with the same condition as me,” explained Sarah. As a more accepting generation we should work together to recognise and encourage people to express their individualities regarding their disabilities and not hide away from their differences. With only having the use of one hand it makes everyday tasks a challenge. “It affects me mentally and physically as I always wonder about what other people will think and physical tasks like putting my shoes on and making my bed will take longer to do.” Sarah reluctantly wears splints on a daily basis to support her muscles in her hand and foot. A splint is a form of support made from a thick Lycra material strapped to the arm or leg, which has been proven to help people with this condition. She feels like these garments enhance her disability, highlighting the fact that her hand doesn’t function in the way she wants it to. “I would say generally I wear long sleeves, even in the summer I would still have a cardigan on. I think if you have to wear something in order to aid a disability, we should make it an accessory instead of a boring and bland splint.” Sarah aims to use her fashion degree as a platform to promote disability, by designing splits that both abled and disabled individuals can wear. “It’s about getting people united so they can just go out and wear it without feeling trapped or isolated.” Designing an accessory that will be sleek, fashionable and on-trend will help people who have Cerebral Palsy and similar conditions to express themselves. The fashion industry needs innovative and unique people like Sarah in order to evolve and diversify.
Phillip Searle, 51, is a successful Hollywood actor from Newcastle, living with a form of Dwarfism. He is a prime example of how individuals use their disability as an advantage to their quality of life, as it has given him opportunities that most able-bodied individuals wouldn’t get. From travelling the world to starring in iconic films such as Labyrinth, Willow and Legend, disability has never came between Phillip and his ambitions. “If people opened up and talked to each other more, it would open up so many doors. A lot of people keep their mouth shut and they think that’s how life’s got to be, whereas I never shut my mouth.” With the fashion industry mainly catering for the majority, the minority are left to their own devices. However, this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, as they are able to use their talents and passions to enhance their quality of life, as well as inspiring others. “The fashion industry is what you make it yourself, I mean I couldn’t go out and buy a 3 piece suit made straight away, I just have to find my own way of doing it,” Phillip said. Individuals that would once be restricted in self-expression due to their disability can now become architects of their own identity, giving them freedom to express themselves without conforming to what society considers as ‘normal’, going beyond the idealism of perfection by designing themselves from within.
“I’ve always looked at my disability as a negative, but now when I’m doing research for my fashion design I am turning this into a positive”
Turning a negative into a positive and not seeing insecurities as a weakness can be challenging, but is something that should be celebrated at the same time. “I’ve always looked at my disability as a negative, but now when I’m doing research for my fashion design I am turning this into a positive” Sarah proudly says. Society is gradually progressing in terms of diversity, which is mainly down to people like Sarah and Phillip who aim to change the industry their own way. Sarah’s ambitions will enhance the future of disability within the fashion industry and in time, will unite able bodied and disabled bodied individuals with what clothing they wear and what they can do. “I’m going to start my splint designing as after the meeting with the company they loved my ideas and gave me tips to incorporate into my design developments” Sarah already has big plans for her future. “After this I’ll be able to go out and wear short sleeves and not care what people think because I’ve got my accessory. I feel like I am fighting my own demons as well as everyone else’s, in a way they are my own insecurities that I’m trying to change.” Encouraging stories like this bring hope that we will see more coverage on disability through the art of fashion design and it will no longer be fashions forgotten diversity as it is now at the forefront of conversation. Everyone has the power to create and design their own lives as we celebrate disabilities and construct them around personal strengths to use them to their full potential from a place of empowerment.
“The fashion industry is what you make it yourself�
Photography- Melissa Jayne Everett Models- Phillip Searle -Sarah Holmes Follow us @overlookedmagazine on Instagram and Twitter and give us a like on Overlooked Magazine on Facebook #overlookedmagazine