British Vogue are reframing fashion in the May issue with cover stars who are dynamic, daring and Disabled.
I love seeing the many representations of Disabled people in the May 2023 issue of Vogue, where fashion and identity intertwine to produce an incredible display of style, texture, colour and energy, all of which are unique to this ‘reframing fashion’ issue. As a long term buyer of UK Vogue I lost faith with who and what was being given a platform and stopped buying it for a while, until Edward Enninful’s appointment. The impact he has made in the representation of not only Disabled people but the increase of Black women featured, is culturally huge and game changing.
Image description: Edward Enninful, a Black man with black glasses, wearing a black shirt is looking directly at the camera.
Editor Edward Enninful speaking on BBC radio 4 Today programme said, ‘working on May’s issue, which has five Disabled cover stars, was one of the proudest moments of my career’. He revealed last year in his memoir that he had visual and hearing impairments and a blood disorder, which he said present "challenges" in his role as editor-in-chief at British Vogue.
"It was so important I could relate - I felt real pride that people can actually speak up about disabilities and not have to hide it and how it impacts them.
Sinead Burke of accessibility consultancy Tilting The Lens was instrumental in bringing to life a Disability-focused cover story with and for the Disabled community. In her Vogue interview that accompanies the cover story Sinead asks, ‘Did the fashion industry become more accessible or did it become more accessible for me?’. And goes on to say.
‘Our shared ambition was to create a Disability-focused cover story with and for the Disabled community, one made with the understanding it would put in place benchmarks and processes that would be embedded across the company indefinitely.’
The issue features 19 brilliant, beautiful and impactful Disabled talents from across fashion, sport, the arts and activism, captured in a series of celebratory portraits and interviews.
Four Vogue covers featuring Disabled cover stars: Top left - Justina Miles, Top right - Aaron Rose Philip, bottom left - Sinead Burke, bottom right - Ellie Goldstein.
What's more is that the issue is also available in Braille and as an audio file. To be sent the link to the audio file, to print a free Braille file of the issue at home, or to register your interest in receiving a physical Braille copy*, email accessiblevogue@condenast.co.uk.
*UK P&P is free for those registered as blind. Strictly one copy per customer with free UK postage via Royal Mail’s “Articles for the blind” scheme addressed to the blind or visually impaired person at that address. Overseas delivery charged at cost.
It is encouraging to read that processes and benchmarks have been embedded across the company indefinitely. This is a start and hopefully we will see more publications, media, and fashion brands do the necessary learning and unlearning by working with Disabled creatives.
Image description: Trifle Design Studio - Top row, from left: Andre Williams wears polo shirt, Sunspel. Jeans, stylist’s own. Stanley Galton wears T-shirt, Comme Des Garçons Play, at Flannels.com. Trousers, Hermès. Nancy Clayton wears shirt, Margaret Howell. Trousers, Alexander McQueen, at Mytheresa.com. Ring, Tom Wood. Bottom row, from left: Lisa Trim wears shirt, With Nothing Underneath. Trousers, Stella McCartney, at Selfridges. Trainers, Nike. Bracelet, Hermès. Ntiense Eno-Amooquaye wears shirt, AUF AUGENHOEHE. Trousers, Valentino, at Matchesfashion.com. Trainers, Adidas, at Schuh. Earrings, Sophie Buhai. Necklace, Rachel Boston. Signet ring, Lylie. Other rings, Ntiense’s own. Christian Ovonlen wears jacket, Givenchy. T-shirt, Comme Des Garçons Play. Trousers, CP Company. Both at Flannels.com. Trainers, Adidas
As Disabled people we know what we need and non-disabled people need what we know.
It's critical to build the foundations that support a safe and accessible working environment where Disabled people can be in the everyday narrative. For this to become reality there is still much work to do for our culture to shed stereotypes around visible and invisible Disability. Ableism exists in many forms, particularly in the language we use, and so often language is not questioned, but words and the way we say them can make all the difference to how we connect.
Born Equal was founded by three creative women seeking purpose in taking action to eradicate Racism, specifically Anti-Blackness, and Ableism within creative spaces.
Based on our lived experiences, individual make-ups and collective values, all of the work that we create and deliver at Born Equal Consults is rooted in Anti-Racism and Anti-Ableism.
With backgrounds in fashion and advertising we invite you to connect with us to discuss ways in which we can support you and your business with Disability inclusion and much more. Email us at: deborah.campbell@bornequalconsults.com
Ways is which we can support your business is through workshops and programmes that cover: Disability Inclusive design and language
Understanding Ableism & the social model of Disability
Disability Inclusive Casting
Create accessible safe environments via our partner With Not For
Author: Deborah Campbell co-founder Born Equal Consults
