WheelieChix-Chic is an exclusive and absolutely unique fashion company concentrated on sophisticated women who happen to use wheelchair. WheelieChix-Chic was established in London, England, and it is the first company of its kind in the world. Louisa Summerfield, the Managing Director, founder of the company, busy mother of two, and wheelchair user herself is convinced that, “There is a huge gap in the market and I feel very confident that WheelieChix-Chic will fill it” (WC-C PR, 2007).
As she describes, her goal was to “create a designer collection specially tailored for the independent, sexy and confident wheelchair woman” (WC-C PR, 2007). To fulfill her goal, Louisa had to choose out of 100’s willing designers the really best one. So she started to cooperate with Amelia Ursache, who established her professional name in Stockholm, Sweden. Amelia earned her degree at the Academy of fine arts in Bucharest, in 1998 she was awarded designer of the year by London’s Elle magazine, and boosted her popularity by participating in a reality show “Fashion House” along with such fashion icons like Valentino or Donatella Versace.
Louisa Summerfield was surprised to be refused by the British Fashion Council to exhibit WheelieChix-Chic line on the catwalk at London Fashion Week. However, Louisa never gives up and had decided to take the action and organize her own fashion show held on September 19th, 2007 during London Fashion Week. WheelieChix-Chic fashion event was hosted by Jan Ravens from the BBC comedy ‘Dead Ringers’, and £10 of every £20 ticket sold was donated to the charity Motability. “All our models are genuine wheelchair users and are absolutely stunning. I am a big believer in that fashion should be for everyone and not just the standing up body beautiful,” concludes Louisa Summerfield (WC-C PR, 2007).
The show in London must go on!
WheelieChix-Chic News Press Release July 2007. (2007). WheelieChix-Chic. 01.08.2009. From http://www.wheeliechix-chic.com/news/pr_july_2007.php
As she describes, her goal was to “create a designer collection specially tailored for the independent, sexy and confident wheelchair woman” (WC-C PR, 2007). To fulfill her goal, Louisa had to choose out of 100’s willing designers the really best one. So she started to cooperate with Amelia Ursache, who established her professional name in Stockholm, Sweden. Amelia earned her degree at the Academy of fine arts in Bucharest, in 1998 she was awarded designer of the year by London’s Elle magazine, and boosted her popularity by participating in a reality show “Fashion House” along with such fashion icons like Valentino or Donatella Versace.
Louisa Summerfield was surprised to be refused by the British Fashion Council to exhibit WheelieChix-Chic line on the catwalk at London Fashion Week. However, Louisa never gives up and had decided to take the action and organize her own fashion show held on September 19th, 2007 during London Fashion Week. WheelieChix-Chic fashion event was hosted by Jan Ravens from the BBC comedy ‘Dead Ringers’, and £10 of every £20 ticket sold was donated to the charity Motability. “All our models are genuine wheelchair users and are absolutely stunning. I am a big believer in that fashion should be for everyone and not just the standing up body beautiful,” concludes Louisa Summerfield (WC-C PR, 2007).
The show in London must go on!
- Check out for more info about a wheelchair fashion: http://www.wheeliechix-chic.com/
Picture Source:
WheelieChix-Chic. (2009). 01. 09. 2009. From: http://www.wheeliechix-chic.com/contact_us/
Hi Sona
ReplyDeleteI find your topic of a great value and delicacy, and truly enjoyed reading your blog. But when it comes to the disabled people sporting the catwalk I find a little problem here. I'm not by any means offending someone, but I think that fashion show and catwalk is about "walking", it seems too strange and unnatural to see the models rolling on wheelchairs. Even short or fat people can't be models, so its not about discriminaton here. Models exist for advertising clothing, and the clothes will remain clothes either on a blind, deaf or a healthy person. The point is, that they look the most attractive on tall and slim women.
Thats why I find this whole wheeliechix-chix affair a little problematic :))