Josie Tang, a 21-year-old artist and disability advocate from Penryn, is set to make her catwalk debut at the Disability Pride Catwalk in Manchester. She will join 16 other participants, showcasing adaptive fashion from the disability-friendly label Recondition.
Tang, who is autistic and has ADHD, along with multiple chronic illnesses including endometriosis, hypermobile EDS, and PoTS, recently graduated with a degree in fashion styling and artistic direction from Falmouth University.
She expressed her motivation for participating in the event, stating that seeing herself represented in mainstream fashion helps her feel a sense of belonging. "Even just seeing a different range of different disabled people—we come in so many different shapes and forms and we come with so many different experiences," Tang said.
She highlighted the need for diverse body representation in fashion, noting that traditional runway standards often exclude many body types. "We see such a standard runway figure a lot of the time, and I think that sort of pushes this idea that only this type of body can be beautiful," she remarked.
Tang believes that the Disability Pride Catwalk serves as an essential platform to celebrate the beauty of all disabled bodies.
Tang emphasized the importance of adaptive clothing, which can make dressing easier for individuals with disabilities. She mentioned features like pull tabs, Velcro, and magnets that enhance accessibility without compromising style. "I don’t want to compromise on style for adaptability," she stated, underscoring her desire to enjoy fashion while also addressing her unique needs.
Looking ahead, Tang hopes future designers will create clothing lines for disabled individuals with their input. She believes that feedback from disabled people is crucial for developing styles that reflect a wider range of personal experiences.
"You can’t really have something for someone without their input and their experience— that feedback is so, so important," she noted.
The Disability Pride Catwalk is scheduled to take place at Manchester's Aviva Studios later on Saturday. Tang expressed her wish that such events had existed during her childhood, stating that they would have significantly aided her journey in accepting her disabled body.
"Being able to see a beautiful disabled body just accepted and celebrated in this way would have been so helpful in my journey," she added.
