fashionABLE: platform soles?

AUTUMN FASHION SHOWCASE:  “fashionABLE” AT WAVERLEY STATION

CATWALK AT PLATFORM 2

Events run at 12.00 and 2.00pm on Friday 23 September

Coming up this month on the Scottish Fashion scene, “fashionABLE” – a new fashion event demonstrating that diversity in life does not mean exclusion from the catwalk and designs.

The first “fashionABLE” event on 23 September 2016 will be hosting a range of models from all walks of life and showcasing Asian, African and Scottish designers on a specially created “3D chalk” catwalk at Platform 2 in Waverley Station in Edinburgh. The staging will have a distinct “jungle” theme with bold colours, lively floral decoration and with sounds of Scottish pipes and African drum music to capture the lively mood.

Global Founder of Models of Diversity, Angel Sinclair who has championed diversity in fashion for many years will be attending the fashionABLE event and is giving her backing with a chance for one person to win and attend a photo-shoot in London with a top stylist*.

Founder Angel Sinclair said: “It’s important that people with disabilities see themselves represented in fashion. The UK are so far behind other countries who use disabled models – most recently Tommy Hilfiger has brought out adaptive clothing for children with disabilities.

“Models of Diversity calls on all High Street fashion brands and retail outlets to employ models with disabilities.”
Running for the very first time in Scotland, this new fashion event is set to show how diverse styles and fashions reflecting the diversity in society in race, shape, age and ability with local, ethnic, ethical and international designs with a distinct catwalk range of Asian, African and Scottish styles.

Tania Pramschufer, director of LocalMotive Markets said: “This event is all about inclusion and putting people at the heart of fashion making it about them and their identity – not solely the amazing fashions they will be wearing. The audience will see for themselves the confidence and energy that these dynamic people demonstrate as they showcase exciting and bold styles with panache.”

Giving her time and support to the fashionABLE event, Face of Diversity at A.C.E and Equal Fashion, Stacy Paris* said: “Society is a beautiful melting pot of all different types of people, yet, media and fashion doesn’t always represent the diversity we see walking down the street. What’s fantastic is that there seems to be a movement starting that sees more diversity across the board. Whether it’s disabilities, ethnicity, size or body art, these are becoming more celebrated and incorporated into mainstream marketing. This isn’t to say “out with the old and in with the new”, not at all!

“Inclusion and diversity is the key here! Seeing everyone represented and rubbishing taboos and the belief that people don’t want to see that is, I believe, such a massive step towards a fairer and more tolerant society on the whole and I am so excited and proud to be part of that, however big or small my role may be!”

Designers will include a team from Upward Mobility who have created a new range of stylish umbrellas, parasols and clothing specially for the event.

Commenting on her involvement, Raygan Bold, from Upward Mobility said: “I’ve got so many words about this event.  Its making me feel really positive about the future and hopefully I will get a career path out of this.”

Also backing the event Juliet Donnachie, Manager of Waverley Station said: “We’re delighted to welcome Models of Diversity to Edinburgh Waverley Station. The fashionABLE event on 23 September is being organised as part of our Friday Market activities as a new PLATFORM for fashion that promotes inclusivity and diversity. We are really looking forward to this positive, inspirational event developed through working with a number of great organisations, including Upward Mobility, an Edinburgh based mobility support organisation.

Designers will include BRAW Kilts; Covet; Behance; Rachel Nutini; Luby; Upward Mobility; Irene Murray “IHeart Bags” – with more exciting designers and models to be announced nearer the time.

Photo-credit: Image of Stacy Paris iamge by Steven Cruikshanks
*More information will be released in due course regarding the London photo-shoot competition