11 year-old Katie Renshaw has modelled for River Island
SHARE:
Disabled activist Lottie Jackson and young model Katie Renshaw have said the fashion industry still has “a long way to go” in order to combat representation issues.
Lottie Jackson, who is also a fashion journalist and inclusion spokesperson for Fashion Insider, exclusively told City News about her experiences in the industry:
Have you found it easy to work in the industry?
“I have a sense of frustration that I can’t participate in the fashion industry as fully as I’d love to because of my physical limitations. “
“Things like internships are definitely more difficult when you’re not able to carry out physical tasks.”
Have companies been accommodating to you?
“It feels like such an untrodden path, it’s not as if there have been procedures in place like there may be in more corporate workplaces.”
“I’ve had to ask for adjustments and wasn’t sure of the response I would get. It’s such a competitive industry and you’re very conscious of feeling like a nuisance.”
Lottie Jackson has a “sense of frustration” towards the fashion industry. Credit: Amelia Allen via Lottie Jackson”
“I am fortunate to have met some really positive and understanding people during my internships who saw my potential. It’s about believing that I am an asset and there are many ways I can contribute.”
Do you think the fashion industry is doing enough to promote diversity?
“It’s definitely much more aware of the need for representation, and it has made huge strides towards becoming more inclusive in the past few years.”
“In terms of disability representation, disabled models are largely absent from fashion campaigns and fashion week- despite the fact 20% of people in the UK have disabilities. There’s a long way to go before fashion adequately represents and reflects the world we see around us in everyday life.”
Are there any brands leading the way?
“There are a handful of examples like Teatum Jones who’ve used disabled models in their shows for the past few seasons. But their show in 2017 was the first time disabled models were seen at London Fashion Week since Alexander McQueen in 1998!”
“A number of high street labels such as Marks & Spencer and River Island have also used disability models in recent campaigns. Inclusivity has been proven to be financially lucrative for brands.”
But is that all just good PR?
“I don’t think the industry’s current fascination with representation and diversity is just a marketing stunt. “diversity” is not something you can pick up and put down.
“If a brand is committing itself to become more inclusive it needs to be approached in a way that’s genuine and sustainable for longer than a 10-minute catwalk show.”
“The political and social climate has changed dramatically, so it would be difficult to shut down this conversation surrounding inclusivity and return to exclusively representing models who conform to stereotypical notions of beauty.”
Katie Renshaw has modelled for London Fashion Week. Image: Twitter
Katie: “I feel dead excited”
River Island is one of the brands which Katie Renshaw, an 11-year-old with cerebral palsy, has modeled for. She walked the catwalk at London Fashion Week for Panda Clothing:
How did you feel when you were walking down the catwalk?
“I felt dead excited and happy just doing the catwalk. I love fashion and stuff like that, modelling. They do all your hair and makeup!”
How did you find out you would be going?
“I went for an audition – is it an audition? Ah, a casting. Then I got the job so we went down to London overnight and did all the photo shoots.”
What would you say to others who might want to follow in your footsteps, and where would you like to go next?
“Don’t be nervous and just do it, because everybody is taking pictures of you and it’s really fun. And Paris! Because Panda London is going there as well.”
Katie only relearned to walk one year ago after an operation to straighten her legs and feet. Her mother Clare describes how her fashion dream wasn’t easy to attain:
Did Katie always want to work in fashion?
“She used to say when she was little that she wanted to be a model. It used to hurt me a little bit because I didn’t think she would be able to do it. But she’s proved us all wrong.”
“We were never sure that she would be able to walk. But obviously, with the operation that she’s had, it’s been amazing!”
Are there enough opportunities for people like Katie in the industry?
“I’m not sure. But the outlook on children like Katie. People with cerebral palsy, or Down’s Syndrome, should be out there like every other child. That’s the way it should be as far as we’re concerned.”
How have you found the media attention?
“It’s been crazy. The phone hasn’t stopped ringing! But it’s been good – very, very good.”
Submitted Article
Headline
Short Headline
Standfirst
Published Article
HeadlineInterview: fashion insiders call for greater disability representation
Short HeadlineMore disabled models needed, say fashion insiders
StandfirstIn an interview with City News, disability activist Lottie Jackson and model Katie Renshaw share their fashion industry experiences
Disabled activist Lottie Jackson and young model Katie Renshaw have said the fashion industry still has “a long way to go” in order to combat representation issues.
Lottie Jackson, who is also a fashion journalist and inclusion spokesperson for Fashion Insider, exclusively told City News about her experiences in the industry:
Have you found it easy to work in the industry?
“I have a sense of frustration that I can’t participate in the fashion industry as fully as I’d love to because of my physical limitations. “
“Things like internships are definitely more difficult when you’re not able to carry out physical tasks.”
Have companies been accommodating to you?
“It feels like such an untrodden path, it’s not as if there have been procedures in place like there may be in more corporate workplaces.”
“I’ve had to ask for adjustments and wasn’t sure of the response I would get. It’s such a competitive industry and you’re very conscious of feeling like a nuisance.”
Lottie Jackson has a “sense of frustration” towards the fashion industry. Credit: Amelia Allen via Lottie Jackson”
“I am fortunate to have met some really positive and understanding people during my internships who saw my potential. It’s about believing that I am an asset and there are many ways I can contribute.”
Do you think the fashion industry is doing enough to promote diversity?
“It’s definitely much more aware of the need for representation, and it has made huge strides towards becoming more inclusive in the past few years.”
“In terms of disability representation, disabled models are largely absent from fashion campaigns and fashion week- despite the fact 20% of people in the UK have disabilities. There’s a long way to go before fashion adequately represents and reflects the world we see around us in everyday life.”
Are there any brands leading the way?
“There are a handful of examples like Teatum Jones who’ve used disabled models in their shows for the past few seasons. But their show in 2017 was the first time disabled models were seen at London Fashion Week since Alexander McQueen in 1998!”
“A number of high street labels such as Marks & Spencer and River Island have also used disability models in recent campaigns. Inclusivity has been proven to be financially lucrative for brands.”
But is that all just good PR?
“I don’t think the industry’s current fascination with representation and diversity is just a marketing stunt. “diversity” is not something you can pick up and put down.
“If a brand is committing itself to become more inclusive it needs to be approached in a way that’s genuine and sustainable for longer than a 10-minute catwalk show.”
“The political and social climate has changed dramatically, so it would be difficult to shut down this conversation surrounding inclusivity and return to exclusively representing models who conform to stereotypical notions of beauty.”
Katie Renshaw has modelled for London Fashion Week. Image: Twitter
Katie: “I feel dead excited”
River Island is one of the brands which Katie Renshaw, an 11-year-old with cerebral palsy, has modeled for. She walked the catwalk at London Fashion Week for Panda Clothing:
How did you feel when you were walking down the catwalk?
“I felt dead excited and happy just doing the catwalk. I love fashion and stuff like that, modelling. They do all your hair and makeup!”
How did you find out you would be going?
“I went for an audition – is it an audition? Ah, a casting. Then I got the job so we went down to London overnight and did all the photo shoots.”
What would you say to others who might want to follow in your footsteps, and where would you like to go next?
“Don’t be nervous and just do it, because everybody is taking pictures of you and it’s really fun. And Paris! Because Panda London is going there as well.”
Katie only relearned to walk one year ago after an operation to straighten her legs and feet. Her mother Clare describes how her fashion dream wasn’t easy to attain:
Did Katie always want to work in fashion?
“She used to say when she was little that she wanted to be a model. It used to hurt me a little bit because I didn’t think she would be able to do it. But she’s proved us all wrong.”
“We were never sure that she would be able to walk. But obviously, with the operation that she’s had, it’s been amazing!”
Are there enough opportunities for people like Katie in the industry?
“I’m not sure. But the outlook on children like Katie. People with cerebral palsy, or Down’s Syndrome, should be out there like every other child. That’s the way it should be as far as we’re concerned.”
How have you found the media attention?
“It’s been crazy. The phone hasn’t stopped ringing! But it’s been good – very, very good.”
As e-bike riders weave through London’s busiest junctions, red lights are increasingly treated as optional. One software engineer says the problem may be baked into how hire firms charge users
Deliveroo has announced its sale to U.S. rival DoorDash, but concerns linger over the controversial ‘substitute’ feature at the heart of its operations.
Inside Success Union CIC claim to empower vulnerable young people, but allegations of underpayment and concerns over their fundraising practices are undermining their message.
