The Runway of Dreams™ Foundation is a nonprofit organization leading the charge on inclusion, acceptance, and opportunity in the fashion industry for people with disabilities. Adaptive clothing and footwear is not just a want, it’s a need. Over 1 billion people live with a disability worldwide, and Runway of Dreams is on a mission to spotlight companies who are making adaptive clothing accessible for all. The foundation also provides wardrobe grants, scholarships, and a college program. Businesses should be considering adaptive sections no different than petite or plus size. This one-of-a-kind adaptive fashion show, aptly titled A Fashion Revolution is presented by Kohl’s, hosted by Peloton’s first adaptive instructor, Logan Aldridge, and it will take place on Monday, September 12th, 2022, at The Glasshouse in New York City. Learn more about Runway of Dreams at runwayofdreams.org
The evening will showcase adaptive clothing, footwear and products on over 60 models with varying disabilities and backgrounds with adaptive collections from JCPenney, Target, Kohl’s, Magnetic Me, No Limbits, Steve Madden, Tommy Hilfiger Adaptive, Zappos.com, Adidas, French Toast Adaptive, Stemwear and Peerless Clothing. Adaptive features swap traditional closures for magnets, hook + loop, tagless, easy zippers and more, to allow people with disabilities to be just as fashionable as their peers while allowing them the independence to dress themselves.
Models:
Charlie Berghoffer IV,12, is a swimmer, soccer player, horseback rider, biker and chess lover. He has been featured in campaigns for BILLY Footwear, June and January, and ZAPPOS Adaptive. His mom Page is a huge advocate for him, and together, they can discuss Charlie’s life with Cerebral Palsy, and his excitement to watch the adaptive fashion movement expand. He can be found on Instagram here. (Charlie will be modeling for Target and Stride Rite.)
Worthy Rigelsky, 13, is a TikTok star with a big personality. She has been featured in Tommy Hilfiger Adaptive campaigns. Her family can talk about online fame, adoption, and living with Down syndrome. She is a must-meet! (Worthy is modeling for French Toast Adaptive (which launched 8/3!) and Target.)
Chris Nikic, 23, is a Guinness Book Record Holder for becoming the first person with Down syndrome to finish an Ironman triathlon (at 21), for which he was awarded an ESPY. Chris’s 2022 competition list includes: Hawaii Ironman World Championship, The Boston, NYC and London Marathons and The Special Olympics USA Games. Chris will be honored with the Runway of Dreams Foundation’s Inspirational Achievement Award at the NYFW show. His father, Nik, will present the award to him. (Chris will be modeling for Adidas with his girlfriend Adrienne, and he is about to release a shoe with Adidas.)
Yarelbys (Yare) Tua, 25, is a model, content creator, fashion blogger, and positivity advocate. She became a cancer survivor at age 15. Only three months after finishing her radiation treatment, she started feeling numbness on her feet, weakness, loss of balance and more, which doctors then told her was a spinal cord injury, transverse myelitis. She can speak to being a cancer survivor, or a Latinx woman with a disability. (Yare is modeling for JCPenney.)
Earl Granville (Instagram page) served our country as a former infantryman in Afghanistan where he lost his leg in battle. His left leg had to be amputated above his knee. Refusing to succumb to both the physical and emotional pain, Granville became a public speaker focusing on helping others find their purpose. He also runs a charity helping disabled veterans stay active. (Earl will be modeling for No Limbits, which recently struck a deal on Shark Tank.)
Brandon Rumbaugh, 33, is an amputee. He is a husband and father of two. He finds purpose in inspiring others to reach their fullest potential. He believes this is why he survived both Iraq and Afghanistan while serving our country. He breaks down barriers and shows people he is still capable, even without his legs. (Rumbaugh is modeling for Kohl’s.)
