Josie Tang Shines: Celebrating Beauty and Style in Adaptive Fashion

Josie Tang is a 21 year old artist and disability advocate from Penryn who is making her debut at the Disability Pride Catwalk in Manchester. Josie, who has purple hair and uses crutches or a mobility walker, is autistic, has ADHD, and lives with several chronic illnesses. She recently graduated from Falmouth University with a degree in fashion styling and artistic direction. Josie is excited to participate in the catwalk, where she and 16 others will wear adaptive fashion designs. She believes that seeing herself represented in mainstream fashion is important because it shows that everyone is allowed to belong, no matter their body type or abilities.

Josie feels that fashion shows often only display one kind of body, which can make people think that only certain bodies are beautiful. She says, 'Even just seeing a different range of disabled people – we come in so many different shapes and forms and we come with so many different experiences. ' For Josie, the Disability Pride Catwalk is a chance to celebrate all kinds of bodies and to show that all disabled bodies are beautiful. She hopes that more designers will create adaptive clothing that is both stylish and practical. Josie explains that dressing can be difficult for her because of her conditions. Small buttons and tight sleeves can be hard to manage, but adaptive clothing with pull tabs, velcro, and magnets makes things easier.

Josie does not want to sacrifice her personal style just to wear clothes that are easier to put on. She wants to have fun with fashion and hopes that future designers will work with disabled people to create clothing lines that reflect a wide range of personal styles and needs. She says, 'You can't really have something for someone without their input and their experience – that feedback is so, so important. ' Josie wishes there had been events like the Disability Pride Catwalk when she was younger, as it would have helped her accept her body and feel beautiful. She believes that everyone deserves to see themselves represented and celebrated in fashion, and she hopes that the industry will continue to become more inclusive. The Disability Pride Catwalk will take place at Manchester's Aviva Studios, and Josie is proud to be part of an event that celebrates diversity and challenges traditional ideas of beauty.