It’s been a month since this great event. I had no time to write about it but now, even if it was a while back, I have decided to tell you about my last fashion show event.
I woke up at 5 in the morning to be able to do my bike training and to have time to prepare to go to Milan for an important fashion show.
For almost three years I have been part of the fashion world, being present at events and to the Milan Fashion Week.
In 2016, when I first did the Milan red carpet for “ modelle e rotelle “ , supporting the VERTICAL foundation, I felt emotions indescribable by words. I do not know how I could keep my tears during the show, but once I was in the backstage, away from the people’s eyes, I broke into crying. Tears and sighs! Emotions were so strong that I could not control myself. Then, I regained my confidence in myself, in my beauty, I realized I was still an attractive woman even if I moved differently. Until that fashion show I hated my paralyzed body, but since then I started to love it. Since then I have continued to attend such events. That’s how I started a collaboration with Iulia Barton Inclusive agency located in Rome where we had some memorable experiences.
I’m not an experienced fashion model. I do not know the world of fashion so well, but I have continued to do this work for 3 reasons:
1. I like that feeling when I roll into my wheelchair and am followed by many curious eyes. Strong emotions and tears of happiness well up in me.
2. I’m trying to bring about change in perception because walking or rolling, we all are beautiful.
3.I try to show those girls / women who are using a wheelchair and who have lost confidence in themselves , that they can still feel beautiful, can laugh, dream, live even if they are moving differently.
The event on Saturday, 23 February 2019 had the theme: ” We parade to break down the prejudices!. “
An event that was born with a precise aim to give a stimulus and a contribution to fashion, in its admirable and fantastic diversity, introducing to the show some disabled and curvy models.
That was OK. They have been able to convey this message to those present people, but also to those out there who are watching news, reading articles, seeing pictures taken at this show. Also, the organization was good, the people were so gentle. I met some very kind people there with whom I still keep in touch. But what I’m trying to get to here is to reveal what’s going on behind closed doors because there is not all milk and honey. This day I was disappointed with what I found behind the back of those doors, with those stylists who accepted to come to this presentation and dress up the models with their clothes. But I think they either did not have too much information about this event, or they just wanted to show those clothes without wishing to bring a message to the world.
Fashion is in attitude and elegance, and I do not lack these things. The only thing that differentiates me from the other models is that I have an accessory. And so, one of the stylists refused to dress me coming with the reason being that they did not have any more dresses. However, when I had spoken to the staff person two minutes earlier I was told that they still have a dress. Just when she said, she did not know that dress was required for a person with disabilities. When I introduced myself to this stylist, seeing that I was in the wheelchair, she said she no longer has a dress. I immediately realized that dress was there, but not for me.
The second disappointment came from another stylist with whom I spent more than one hour looking at how those models dressed up while waiting for my dress. They gave me one in the end, but it was in a bad condition. I wore it and saw that I looked horrible in it as it was twisted on every side. I went to them and told them that I did not want that dress. I was told that they no longer have one for my measure (waist 38) and that I have to go out in the one they gave me. I said I would not get on the catwalk, not in those conditions, and the answers for me was : Ok, then do not go there!
I was so angry that I felt the blood flowing fast to my head. I changed my clothes without saying anything. Then a nice lady from the staff came and told me I had to get it and not be upset because of this kind of people.
I wore another dress and went out on the catwalk.
So, what are we talking about? Change? It’s a hard thing to do it when you trying to convince people that their attitude and character is shameful…
For those stylists, they should be more informed about the events they attend … about their theme, as if they do not have the surprise to dress some models that do not walk on the red carpet, but go on it using wheels.
Anyway the show was great, I did my contribution to make a change, even there the change it’s still difficult to find.
For my girls; don’t forget that, you are beautiful even in a wheelchair!
