Elle Newman

Next, I wanted to research into disabled influencers, if I chose to take disabled fashion forward then I want to know what possible influencers I could use to help promote the event. Influencers are so important to help create a successful 360-degree campaign, not only do they help promote the campaign to a wider audience they also help the campaign to gain higher recognition. I have found four influencers that not only have inspiring stories but also have strong online presents that I think could be useful when creating a 360-degree campaign.

Annie Segarra

Annie Segarra also known as Annie Elainey is an American YouTuber. Annie advocates for accessibility, body positivity and media representation of marginalized communities. In 2010 Annie started a YouTube channel about body positivity and having good self- esteem, she also spoke about how she overcame an eating disorder. But in 2010 she was diagnosed with EDS so needs a wheelchair to get around. After watching the women’s marches in 2017, she felt like it lacked visibility of disabled people so she started a T-Shirt range called ‘The Future is accessible’ modelled after ‘The future is female shirts from the ’70s.

Shelby Lynch

Shelby Lynch is an up and coming beauty and fashion influencer from England. She has a disability called Spinal Muscular Atrophy, this causes her muscles to get weak over time. She has to use a wheelchair to move around, and a ventilator 24/7 to help her to breathe. Her family have to do everything for her from getting dressed to washing her hair and eating. In an interview, she said that for her independence is key. She recently teamed up with the online retailer Missguided to promote the #Keeponbeingyou campaign. Shelby feels that people don’t think disabled people can be pretty or sexy because of their disability, and that should not be the case. Shelby promotes the message ‘Keep on being you, means to be confident in your own skin, and not letting anyone else in life tell you, you can’t do something.’

Mama Cax

Mama Cax is a lifestyle and beauty blogger, she was diagnosed with cancer at age 14 and given three weeks to live. Luckily she survived but she did have to have her left leg amputated. Even though she found it hard, she did not lose her positive approach to life. In an interview, Mama Cax said ‘In many parts of the world, disabled people are excluded. I feel like I’m in a position to make a difference and one day be an advocate for people with disabilities.’ Mama Cax is now a highly successful woman with a huge online following of 163K. She also writes a blog all about travel, food and fashion. She is also a model and has featured in magazines such as Teen Vogue, Cosmopolitan, Glamour and ID to name a few. She also featured in the Tommy Hilfiger Adaptive Campaign.

Jordan Bone

Jordan Bone is a 28-year old internet sensation, Jordan was paralysed from the chest down at age 15 after being in a car accident. Jordan has no use of her hands or legs and will have to be in a wheelchair for the rest of her life. Jordan battled with depression for the first few years after her accident, but she found solace in meditation and decided to share her advice on YouTube. She quickly turned into a YouTube star with 200,000 subscribers and 130,000 Instagram followers. She has also worked with brands such as L’Oreal and the Prince’s Trust. She wants to break away from the belief that people with disabilities are held back and become more than just the girl in the wheelchair. She has also released a book talking about her disability and how she has overcome it.

I think all these women are inspirational and are really people we should all look up to, I do find it sad how every single one say’s they feel excluded or ignored in the world. I’ve been advised by my Lecturer to reaserch a women call Alison Lapper a disabled artist who use to go to Brighton University, I think this will be the last person I look into for the disabled group research.