NY Fashion Show hosts first Blind model show

For the first time ever the New York Fashion Show has held an
exhibition featuring blind models.

There were no guide dogs on the catwalk, just visually impaired models
strutting their stuff.

The idea was to shine a spotlight on preconceptions of disabilities,
raise awareness and prove that you don't have to be tall and thin to
be a runway model.

Nick Harper reports from New York.

IN: "Another..."
OUT: SOC
DUR: 2:38

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TAKE VO
Another runways show for New York Fashion Week.
But look a little closer and the differences begin to come into view.
Every model in this show is visually impaired or legally blind.
Markers have been added to the floor to guide their way - the models
determined there should be no canes on the catwalk.

TAKE VO
17-year-old Cecilia Martinez has never modeled before, let alone
attempted a runway show.

SOT - Cecilia Martinez, First-time Model
"I think there are not many opportunities for blind people to do this
before, and I haven't had the opportunity to do anything like this."

TAKE VO
Getting ready back stage she reflected on how this show will hopefully
open people's eyes to the way they view the blind.

SOT - Cecilia Martinez, First-time Model
"I'm really excited. I'm nervous but I'm excited. I think this is a
really good way to show blind people can do just anything. It will
bring awareness for the disabled community, and yeah people will just
realize that anyone can do a modeling, no matter if you have a
disability or not."

TAKE VO
If seeing is believing then one look is enough to prove how passionate
the models are about this show.
It's a clear demonstration that stereotypes shouldn't dictate what
models look like.
Here's model Taylor Patel.

SOT - Taylor Patel, Blind Model
"There's a certain stigma always that comes with being visually
impaired or legally blind that we can't do certain things. Or like in
my home country of India the visually impaired or the people with
disabilities are very frowned upon and not really taken seriously, or
they're treated like garbage. So it's definitely nice to be an Indian
woman

TAKE VO
Organizer Myriam Chalek has pushed the boundaries before, putting on
what she called the world's first 'Dwarf Show'. As with that, the
reception for the 'Blind Show' has not been universally accepting.

SOT - Myriam Chalek, Creative Business House
"People are reluctant when you come up with something new. Disabled
people are not, they're not that much different from us, they're just
unique, and that uniqueness makes them beautiful. So it's really about
showing people, telling people, no matter what your disability is you
can do whatever you want."

TAKE VO
This show is the first of its kind anywhere in America. And the
organizers are hoping this is just the beginning. From here the show
moves to Paris, where audiences will get a chance to take another look
at the world of modeling. To see that beauty and ability are not
determined by disability.
SOC

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