The runway show included items from Victoria’s Secret and Pink, Kohl’s, Target, JCPenney, and Tommy Hilfiger, and footwear from Zappos.com.
The Runway of Dreams Foundation, a nonprofit foundation that promotes inclusion, acceptance, and opportunity in fashion and beauty for individuals with disabilities, will hold a tenth anniversary event called “Fashion Revolution.” Victoria’s Secret & Co. will present the runway show, which will take place on September 9 at Powerhouse Arts in Brooklyn as part of New York Fashion Week.
The Fashion Revolution will feature top firms in the accessible and universally designed field on over 60 models representing an extensive range of disabilities and backgrounds.
Over 500 notable leaders and activists for diversity, equity, and inclusion will attend the event. Victoria’s Secret and Pink, Kohl’s, Target, JCPenney, and Tommy Hilfiger will all be represented on the runway, with Zappos.com providing footwear.
Fashion Revolution will be hosted by Madison Tevlin, a Canadian actor, model, and advocate from the TV sitcom “Champions.” Tevlin featured in the 2024 viral campaign “Assume That I Can,” which received over 150 million views in under a week on World Down Syndrome Day.
“Runway of Dreams and New York Fashion Week are everything I love. “New York, fashion, advocacy, and a big party,” Tevlin explained. “Walking the runway and hosting Fashion Revolution are the stuff of dreams. “I can’t wait to be a part of this incredible event,” he stated.
This year’s show will feature a project called “Next Gen,” in which six talented fashion design students from the Fashion Institute of Technology will collaborate with models with various disabilities to create runway-ready looks that address their specific dressing challenges in three categories: intimates, athleisure, and pajamas.
Mindy Scheier, founder of Runway of Dreams, and members of the VS&Co. adapted design team will collaborate closely with FIT students to ensure the outfits are functional and fashionable, while also considering the models’ comfort and mobility. The final items will serve as the grand finale for the Runway of Dreams 2024 presentation.
VS&Co. will also be given the Runway of Dreams Foundation’s 2024 Pioneer of Change Award.
“I’m incredibly proud of the team who worked tirelessly to bring our adaptive product collection from concept to reality,” stated Martin Waters, CEO of VS&Co. “We are grateful to be honored with the 2024 Pioneer of Change Award and truly value our relationship with the Runway of Dreams Foundation as it helps us live our commitment of removing barriers for women and supporting them at every life stage.”
Scheier continued, “For the past decade, the Runway of Dreams stage has been the ultimate platform for brands to unveil their cutting-edge adaptive designs and products.” I am overjoyed that, with the constant support and active participation of our sponsors, this year’s runway show will be our most memorable yet.”
