Lara's fashion let-down

An evening in London's trendy Knightsbridge district promised Lara Masters glitz, splendour and diversity. But ultimately, she says, it failed to deliver

The seeds of this extravaganza – a fashion show with models who are disabled, mature, plus-size and of different nationalities – were sown when former model Angel Sinclair joined forces with Sally Williams and set up Models of Diversity, “to promote the use of models that reflect diversity in society in terms of race, shape, age and ability.”

The culmination of this venture was celebrated on a summer evening at Knightsbridge’s Millennium Hotel, nestled amongst Fendi, Gucci and Chanel on one of London’s most exclusive streets. There was champagne, sushi and semi-‘slebs like David Van Day and apparently the “fashion elite” and some “WAGS” – but no one I recognised – although there were lots of girls with fake boobs and fake bakes dressed in not very much.

I joined the throngs of spectators of all abilities, sizes, shapes, ages and ethnicities, gathered around a catwalk – or a rectangle of masking tape on the carpet – to see ourselves “represented” by the Models of Diversity.

Forty five minutes later than scheduled, David VD introduced his wife, “beauty expert” Sue Moxley and businessman Anthony Papas to compere the “Body Beautiful Catwalk” which was split into four shows; disabled, mature, plus-size and “Models of Nationality”.

Initially there were technical difficulties and the mics were cutting in and out so we couldn’t hear the presenters. However, the disabled show began and the names – and disabilities (!) – of each model were announced, loud and clear.

First on the catwalk was Riccardo Hoyte, who is deaf and won Deaf Idol 2003. He has model looks and moved well, lip-syncing, strutting and dancing to Mariah Carey.

Next, Eritrean-born Heroday Berhane, who is also deaf and extremely beautiful, showed great poise and presence on the runway as did Kelly Knox (who was introduced as Faye Coldwell and then as Kelly Locks by the clearly unrehearsed presenters). Kelly won Britain’s Missing Top Model and has part of one arm missing and as she worked the rectangle strip in a corset, suspenders and heels, it was clear she’s become a proficient model.

However, the four other disabled models were less convincing. Sarah Jane Fields has cerebral palsy and uses a walking-frame but demonstrated nothing outstanding in her look or performance and Elouise Standbridge, who also has CP and was pushed along the runway by a grinning assistant in a little black dress, wore an unremarkable summer dress and sat in a standard wheelchair. We were told: “She can walk when she feels like it” and Sue remarked “didn’t she look great?” as Elouise exited. I don’t think this is the kind of commentary that Kate Moss or Naomi receive when they’re on the runway.

Then Rick Rodgers, who has Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy, a pain condition affecting his sympathetic nervous system, wheeled along the runway with a confident smile on his boyish face which was half-obscured by foppish, unstyled hair, and his loud checked jacket,
bow-tie and beige slacks made him look uncool and geeky like Carlton from The Fresh Prince.

Lastly, Tracey Warren did her turn in a manual wheelchair as she has a cystic spinal cord tumour. Bubbly and energetic with an impressive hairdo, Tracey was also let down by her styling – a bandeau print dress with brown gladiator sandals.

In fact, all the models with mobility aids (none of which had been customised for the show) looked at the very best “catalogue” material in cheap, mismatching getups, whereas the three walking models oozed sex-appeal in their striking clothes.

I left thinking that whilst I applaud MoD for trying to raise media awareness and funds for the workshops they run to help aspiring disabled models, positive discrimination can be counter-productive and not every disabled person can be a model.

When breaking away from the restrictive stereotype of a model being a tall, size zero “beauty”, parameters can only be re-worked if a disabled model offers something more than an able-bodied model in some way. Also, if the media and fashion industry are to take notice of disabled models, a fashion show such as tonight’s must be perfectly polished and produced; anything sloppy or amateurish risks being a step backwards for disability.