LAST WEEKEND, AND for the first time since her diagnosis of MS last August, Selma Blair appeared at the biggest red carpet event of the year; the Academy Awards.
Wearing a Ralph & Russo tulle gown and carrying a custom-made cane, the 46-year-old actress epitomised grace, courage and dignity.
In the wake of the award ceremony, Selma told her Instagram followers that the appearance was ‘a moment that defined her’.
I felt the love from the photographers who have watched me goof around on red carpets since I was in my twenties. I felt the warmth of the bulbs. The strength of my gown… And I sobbed. And I appreciated every single second.
The response to Selma’s appearance was wholly positive.
And I totally love @selmablair for rocking her stick and making me feel so much better about mine - but I'm not going to call her brave just cos she has MS. I'm going to call her a fucking fashion icon which I'm sure she'd rather be.
— Rachel (@fall_laugh) February 26, 2019
oh but your fashion is smashin. Rock that cane. I myself have sticks of badassery. rock it! ;)
— Eve Reiland | #AutisticAndProud (@BadassActivist) February 26, 2019
tbh literally all i want in life is for @SelmaBlair to like, collaborate with a cane design company and make some actually nice equipment for people with disabilities? she's amazing, she's fashion, she Gets It
— Ennis R. Bashe (@EnnisRookBashe) February 27, 2019
In the days that have followed, Selma, a mother-of-one, has given interviews about her diagnosis, the impact it has had on her life, and her hopes for the future.
Speaking to Vanity Fair this week, the Cruel Intentions actress expressed interest in creating an accessible fashion line.
I would like to partner with someone like Christian Siriano on a line for everyone – not just people who necessarily need adaptive clothing, but for those who want comfort, too.
“It can still be chic. You shouldn’t have to sacrifice style. Like, let’s get elastic waistbands to look a little bit better,” she reasoned.
Selma is, of course, only the latest person to call for further adaptivity in fashion, so let’s take a look at the designers, brands and lines who have been paving the way in this regard.
Runway of Dreams
In an effort to accommodate her young son, who was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy, fashion designer Mindy Scheier created the Runway of Dreams Foundation, a non-profit organisation established in 2014.
Through adaptive clothing donations, employment opportunity initiatives, adaptive design workshops, awareness building campaigns and scholarships programs, the Runway of Dreams Foundation is empowering people with disabilities with opportunity, confidence, independence and style.
ASOS
Last summer ASOS was the subject of much praise for its collaboration with BBC reporter, para-athlete and a wheelchair user, Chloe Ball-Hopkins.
So over the last several months I have been working with @ASOS to create a fashionable, yet practical waterproof all in one! Not just for people like me in a chair but for anyone. It's about making fashion accessible! So what should be next?! https://t.co/1gzzkRlED9 pic.twitter.com/7yS57QEmpD
— Chloe Ball-Hopkins (@chloe_ballhopzy) July 4, 2018
Indeed, as adaptive fashion slowly but surely becomes more of a priority within the fashion industry, here are a few more flying the flag…
Tommy Adaptive at Tommy Hilfiger
