OUR KELLY HITS THE CATWALK
GEELONG Paralympic gold medallist Kelly Cartwright is set to walk in Australia’s first couture runway.
The athlete’s catwalk debut will see her break yet another record, becoming the first Paralympic model to walk in a fashion show.
The Angels with Wings event, created by Dressed AU and held at Docklands next month, will showcase haute couture, bridal couture and couture body art from national and international fashion houses.
The mother of one has been confirmed as the finale model, closing out the show in style.
“I jumped at the opportunity, even though it’s out of my comfort zone,” Cartwright said.
“Being an amputee, walking is one of the hardest things — we can trip over at any second — and when I did Dancing with the Stars that was my biggest fear, but I didn’t fall over dancing so I am pretty sure I will be able to walk in a straight line.
“The last couple of years I have ventured into normalising disabilities and diversity and changing the way people think and I think that’s what this show is about and I am really excited to be a part of it.”
As a symbol of diversity, the models will don unique butterfly wings to promote that beauty comes in many different forms.
Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia show producer 2002-2018 Andrew Claridge is among the production team.
“Couture is something Australia does so well, I’m surprised a show like this had not come to exist sooner,” he said.
There are plans for Angels with Wings events in Sydney and New York in the future.