When I first lost my eyesight, I never would’ve imagined walking the runway for a fashion show. I was 17 at the time and dealing with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, which basically means the inflammation that causes my joint disease also attacks my eyesight. At that point, I hadn’t seen any disability representation in fashion. In fact, I did not even think modeling was a possibility for a young blind woman. It’s not that I thought a blind person wasn’t capable of being a model; I just realized very quickly that no one was giving the community those types of opportunities.
I did not even think modeling was a possibility for a young blind woman. It’s not that I thought a blind person wasn’t capable of being a model; I just realized very quickly that no one was giving the community those types of opportunities.
Now, I’m proud to be creating those opportunities. Back in 2020, I started a fashion podcast called “Fashionably Tardy,” to bridge the gap between people with disabilities and the fashion industry. Soon after, I began to get requests from the fashion industry to do accessibility consulting for both products and brand websites. I was also inspired to work on my own physical collection for my brand NYI – all our designs are based off textures, because that’s how I identify my clothing as a blind woman. I want to make the process easier for other blind people. But all this success aside, I still had yet to make my runway debut.
Fast forward to December 2022. I got an Instagram message from a blind, plus-size fashion influencer named Brittney Ellis, who was excited to let me know about an all-blind runway show happening in New York City in April 2023. I initially wasn’t sure I wanted to participate in the show, but after speaking to the founder of the Not My Eyes fashion showcase, Annalee Smith, I was immediately sold. Smith is a powerhouse with a mission to create more inclusive spaces for blind individuals within the fashion industry.
A blind, plus-size model herself, Smith’s career on the runway began in 2017, when she entered a contest hosted by Ashley Stewart. She didn’t end up winning, but one of the judges saw something special in her and encouraged her to pursue modeling. In 2021, she won the Kurvacious Boutique contest and became the first blind model to be the face of the brand. This allowed her to build a platform that empowers other blind individuals, which is how the Not My Eyes Fashion Showcase was created.
The showcase always promises to be a night to remember – and the April event was no different. Keep scrolling for a recap of my experience modeling for an all-blind fashion show, and reach out to the Not My Eyes team through their website if you’d like to get involved. Blind individuals looking to dip their toes into the world of modeling are welcome, as well as volunteers, sponsors, designers, and allies.
Related: Blind and Low-Vision Viewers Care About Screen Style – So Why Does Audio Description Skip It?
Courtesy of Natalie Trevonne
9 a.m.: Preparation Begins
I started the Saturday morning before the show with prayers and my favorite grande medicine ball from Starbucks: hot tea with steamed lemonade, jade citrus mint green tea, peach tranquility herbal tea, and a hint of honey. I then headed down to the dressing room at 11 a.m. because I was fortunate enough to be staying at the hotel where the runway show was being held. I held my half-eaten Dunkin’ Donuts egg-and-cheese sandwich in my hand as I took in the excitement all around me.
Courtesy of Natalie Trevonne
2 p.m.: Hair, Makeup, and Dress Rehearsals
While waiting for our makeup to be done, we were introduced to Jeannie Ferguson, a no-nonsense runway coach who kept all the models in line. Ferguson has a heart of gold, and you can tell she really believes in Smith’s mission. I love how she didn’t baby any of us or go easy on us because of our disabilities. I respect her for that.
Ferguson gathered us into small groups and took us to explore and familiarize ourselves with the runway. Smith was really good at incorporating accessibility into the show as she gave us the option to either walk with our canes, a guide dog, or an escort. She also taped paint sticks on the runway to indicate to us where to start and stop. I love a good tactile situation because it helps blind individuals know where we are in a space.
One of the escorts, David Slaght, a New York-based fitness and boxing coach, was waiting at the runway for us to practice if we so desired. I chose to make up my own technique and walk with my fingertips slightly grazing his so I could still strut down the runway with a slight hip motion and an arm swing. We made a pretty good team. Plus, I love how he wasn’t awkward about disability and just allowed himself to have fun with it.
Courtesy of Natalie Trevonne
7 p.m.: The Show Begins
Before I knew it, it was time for the show to start. I put on my first look of the night, and two of my closest friends, Regina and Lindsay, met me backstage to give me some final encouraging words. “Mama Jeannie,” as we affectionately started calling her, checked me for last looks, and I lined up with the rest of the models from my group. Slaght was waiting for me, and we headed to the runway, climbed two steps, and I walked over and hit my first pose of the night. It felt so exhilarating to get through that first walk of the night without stumbling or looking stiff. I felt so accomplished because this isn’t normal for me. I have so much appreciation for runway models because I now understand all that goes into it.
The rest of the night was full of magic. We rushed in and out of looks all while changing out of shoes and different accessories. I can’t go without mentioning some of my favorite looks of the night. Robert E. Knight, a New York-based designer, created two outfits I loved: a button-up denim shirt with layered ruffles and silk graffiti-print capped sleeves as well as a long emerald-green bias-cut stretch gown with a crystallized strap and an open back, which I wore for the finale.
Courtesy of Natalie Trevonne
9 p.m.: Taking It All In
I never miss an opportunity to go around and feel a bunch of garments and completely immerse myself in the world of fashion. So when I got a couple minutes of downtime, I was definitely feeling the other models’ outfits.
One that really caught my attention was a lounge set from the brand Pretti Big Deal by designer Shardi’ Johnson. It was a fuzzy matching two-piece set with shorts and a crop top with a matching open jacket with a hood. Some other pieces I got to feel were from Kurvacious Boutique, a fun brand with lots of sex appeal that caters to plus-size shoppers. Designer Tiff Scott brings all of the sass with pieces that feature details like cutouts and high slits.
All of the designers are featured on the Not My Eyes website.
