Remember me
Courtesy of Victoria Jenkins
Victoria Jenkins, 40, is the founder and CEO of Unhidden. She, too, began her journey following a similar experience like Tantush’s: “I was in one of many hospital stays in 2016 when a fellow patient said to me she couldn't dress how she wanted to – and I realised I had held myself back from events or left them when a piece of clothing caused pain and that this was a hugely underserved market. I drew on my years as a pattern cutter, garment technologist and designer to start developing my first range.”
Jenkins’ label has since been on the main schedule of London Fashion Week last year in debuting her new collection, with a policy to only use disabled models. A particular highlight was a pair of leopard print barrel leg jeans, which include features such as a catheter pocket, tube openings and an elasticated waistband.
But after almost a decade of trading, what is it like to see her community in her designs? “Seeing my community be able to dress themselves how THEY want to brings me endless joy but also motivation to keep going – it should already be the standard not the exception. Every happy face, every positive review.. It helps me. This is not an easy job or industry and there are times that I question myself and whether I should keep going or not.”
She adds: “There are so many ways the industry can improve but the first place is to START including us – I actually want to mandate that all fashion shows have 1 out of 4 models with a disability – I just don't see designers practising allyship unless forced to. And then within education and head office roles they need to start hiring and working with us; we're one of the most creative groups of people and we have serious value to add to any industry. Finally retailers have got to fix up their physical and digital spaces; anything less is lip service and we need real, consistent action.”
Courtesy of Chamiah Dewey
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