Amputee Model Breaking Barriers in Fashion and Shattering Stigma of Disability

Author: Global Disability Inclusion
Published: 2017/07/19 - Updated: 2019/03/06
Topic: Blogs - Writings - Stories - Publications List

Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main

Synopsis: Amputee model Shaholly Ayers is breaking beauty barriers and is currently featured in the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale catalog.

Introduction

Following in the footsteps of model Ashley Graham, amputee model Shaholly Ayers is breaking beauty barriers. The brand ambassador for Global Disability Inclusion, a consulting company specializing in providing disability inclusion strategies and solutions to global companies, has graced the runways of New York Fashion Week and Milan Fashion Week and is currently featured in the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale catalog.

Main Item

Global Disability Inclusion, LLC is a boutique consulting firm providing disability inclusion strategies for global companies and U.S. Federal Contractors. The organization's work helps companies realize the competitive advantages of including people with disabilities in the workplace, the workforce and the marketplace. To learn more about Global Disability Inclusion, visit globaldisabilityinclusion.com

"We commend Nordstrom for its leadership role in featuring diverse models in their catalogs," said Meg O'Connell, President of Global Disability Inclusion. "Many in the fashion industry are hesitant to feature models with disabilities. Shaholly is the perfect example that beauty and disability are not mutually exclusive."

Born in Florida and based in Honolulu, Ayers wants to improve diversity overall in the fashion industry "to make people think about what they find attractive."

She wants to open minds and encourage greater acceptance and understanding of all individuals.

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Shaholly Ayers is featured in Nordstrom's new Anniversary Sale Catalog.
Shaholly Ayers is featured in Nordstrom's new Anniversary Sale Catalog.
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A congenital amputee, Ayers was the first model ever to walk a runway without a prosthetic at New York Fashion Week. This is the third time she has been featured in Nordstrom's national catalog.

"Reflecting the customers we serve in our ads and catalogs is important to us and we continue to look for more opportunities to do that," said Nordstrom Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Scott Meden.

"We've had a long history of incorporating diverse models into our catalogs, including those with disabilities. We do our best to reflect the diverse communities we serve."

Ayers is also deeply invested in changing social perceptions of beauty and disability.

"It's about showing, visually, that a person with a disability, a person who is an amputee, is still capable," she said. "I still should be considered beautiful despite my missing limb. That shouldn't be a reason why I can't model."

Ayers moved her way up in the fashion and modeling industry through hard work and determination.

When she first started out over a decade ago, agencies did not want to hire her because of her disability. Ayers persevered, networking and building up her portfolio.

Since then, she has walked runways both nationally and internationally and appeared in the pages of GQ Italia, GQ Japan, US Weekly, The Sun News Paper, The New York Times, and the Guardian, among other outlets.

She is the co-founder of Limbs for Love, an organization that helps at-risk youth overcome adversity and find the strength and beauty we carry in all of us.

For more information on Ayers, contact info@globaldisabilityinclusion.com. To see more images, visit Facebook.com/Shahollydawn or Instagram @shahol1

Attribution/Source(s): This quality-reviewed publication was selected for publishing by the editors of Disabled World (DW) due to its relevance to the disability community. Originally authored by Global Disability Inclusion and published on 2017/07/19, this content may have been edited for style, clarity, or brevity. For further details or clarifications, Global Disability Inclusion can be contacted at globaldisabilityinclusion.com NOTE: Disabled World does not provide any warranties or endorsements related to this article.

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Cite This Page (APA): Global Disability Inclusion. (2017, July 19 - Last revised: 2019, March 6). Amputee Model Breaking Barriers in Fashion and Shattering Stigma of Disability. Disabled World (DW). Retrieved February 11, 2025 from www.disabled-world.com/disability/blogs/shaholly-ayers.php

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