A pioneering approach to inclusive beauty attracted hundreds of visitors to Chester last weekend for the annual Cheshire Fashion Week held at Chester Cathedral and Inchcape Jaguar Chester.
Achieving major success in its second year, and shaping the future of fashion in Cheshire. The annual Cheshire Fashion Week attracted fashion audiences and celebrity guests from across the UK, all supportive of the message of cultural diversity and inclusivity.
Even though fashion cries out for inclusion, there are relatively few mature models, models with distinctive physical appearances such as alopecia, and models with disabilities or cultural values are rarely included. Inclusivity is usually applied to race, gender, sexuality, age, size, and religion, but rarely to one’s abilities.
As part of the campaign, Inchcape Jaguar Chester displayed flamboyantly decorated photo light up letters as well as Jaguar F-TYPE cars on the catwalk where models with alopecia, diverse body types, and a range of ages posed for photos in designer clothing.
The all-inclusive fashion week closing night, held at the iconic Chester Cathedral welcomed top brands such as Osprey London, My Funny Valentine Bridal, Flair Boutique in Sale, Edinburgh’s Romantic Nostalgia, Morgan’s Hair from North Wales, Chester, Studio 2 from Liverpool, Be Positive Tailored, Twin By Tare from Nigeria/Liverpool, Alexandra Weatherby from Cheshire/London and Rose Riviera from Leeds/Manchester were some of the designers whose clothes were displayed to push for greater accessibility and wider representation.
One of the highlights was the closing night walk in Chester Cathedral, where female alopecia model Jessica Newman and mature model Juliana Formicola walked in breathtaking white bridal gowns in front of a purple cathedral backdrop. Typically, this would be worn by a conventional young model with long hair and a size 8.
Claire Namukolo, director and events producer of Cheshire Fashion Week, said: Culture is shaped by fashion, beauty, and the runway, and we need to create a culture that is truly inclusive and reflects everyone’s individuality. It is crucial that fashion industry events producers encourage designers to invest heavily in the adaptive fashion and selling clothing that is inclusive of all types of models.
Cheshire Fashion Week returns to Chester next year. Please visit the Cheshire Fashion Week website at https://cheshirefashionweek.com for more information on the dates and participation.
