Catwalk4Change: an exciting new take on the catwalk

Wow! What a show. Last night in Mile End’s The Waterlily, Catwalk4Change took us on a journey that was billed as an event to challenge the parameters of fashion. The catwalk has long been the jewel in high fashion’s crown, with little representation of diversity or difference.

The event organiser, Angel Sinclair of Models of Diversity, collaborated with Pret-a-Reporter blogger Edita Lozovska, amongst others to definitively highlight the need for change. It was a prestigious event with many important names in fashion represented.

The audience was treated to a show that included an array of cultural designs and models of varying race, age, shape and abilities. A definite highlight included Victoria Gugenheim’s finale. Her body art designs captured the more sensual side of the mature model, leaving the audience in awe. Similarly, David Ross’ stunning collection encapsulated the inner beauty and strength of difference.

It was clear that all the models were passionate and confident on the catwalk, and we as an audience had as much admiration for them as we did for the designs.

What we normally see on the catwalk is not something that we generally see in everyday life. But what this show did was challenge our own perceptions of that construct, and we saw the diversity of what is primarily the norm and what should be the norm, women and men of all races, ages, shapes and abilities broadening the horizons of the catwalk, thus allowing us to see ourselves represented on it.

Catwalk4Change has certainly opened the door for an exciting new take on the catwalk. 

Janay Boothe