Every Body Belongs Fashion Show highlights inclusivity at Boston Fashion Week
Photo Courtesy of Nia Harmon
By Kelly Egan
Boston Fashion Week was filled with various events championing inclusive, body-positive, and high-end designs. The week held 28 events showcasing the work of local designers. One fashion show highlighted local designers and businesses while promoting inclusivity in arts and entertainment.
The Every Body Belongs fashion show, presented by HumanKind Casting, celebrated inclusion and unity in fashion show form on Oct. 15 at the Charles River Speedway in Allston.
Hosted by meteorologist and TV personality for WBZ/CBS Boston, Jason Mikell, the event showcased several collections, performances from a local theatrical group, musical performances, and small businesses.
“This event is meant to showcase that inclusivity is possible everywhere,” Kristie Raymond, the creator of HumanKind, said. “I think we proved a point that it’s possible and it’s not that hard.”
Raymond has worked in entertainment and fashion for 35 years. She created HumanKind Casting five years ago to promote inclusivity and let people know that “they belong.”
“I think people have heard me say over and over in my career talking about possibilities like this,” Raymond said. “We can give them education and our knowledge and share it with them.”
James Norris is the owner of Handicapable Fitness, a non-profit organization supporting healthy workout routines and mentalities for people with disabilities.
“In a nutshell, we’re all coming together with the same goal which is giving the media in the world a bigger lens to see inclusivity,” Norris said. “[It’s] “important to show more inclusivity.
Mother-daughter duo Darrah and Cecelia Gousie modeled several of the designs for the fashion show. Gousie said she thinks this event is “unbelievable” because it is “all about inclusivity.”
“HumanKind Casting does incredible things to support people of all abilities,” Gousie said.
Raymond said that by having and advertising events like this, society can “really change the way it sees each other.”
“If we can showcase inclusion, we can change and really work against the stereotypes that the disabled community faces,” Raymond said.
After decades of involvement in this community, she hopes her event leaves a lasting impact on her supporters.
“I hope the people here felt what inclusion feels like,” Raymond said.