By UK/Indonesia 2016-18 team

22 October 2018 - 16:41

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disabled model walking down the runway
Deaf and disabled models walked down the runway for the very first time at Jakarta Fashion Week.

‘It’s positive energy for Indonesia, especially for the attendees. It’s going to inspire people. It’s rare here to have this kind of show.’

Vega, audience member

The Sean Sheila x Teatum Jones show at Jakarta Fashion Week marked a very important time in history. 

‘Why would we not represent diversity on the catwalk?'

Rob Jones, Teatum Jones

Echi in a wheelchair going down the runway
It was the first time ever that disabled models were seen in a fashion show in Jakarta.
disabled model walking down the runway
British Council collaborated with UK designers Teatum Jones and Indonesian designers Sean Sheila to make this possible.
deaf model walking down the runway
The models were chosen from an open casting, inviting disabled people to audition for the show at Jakarta Fashion Week.
disabled model walking down the runway
They spent the next day rehearsing then graced the Jakarta Fashion Week runway that evening.
Rob Jones and Sean Shelia
The coming together of these designers to combat the lack of diversity and inclusivity in the fashion industry is what UK/ID festival is all about.

'Many people were moved watching the disabled models. We will absolutely be working with disabled models again. Also our whole production team is disabled.’

Sheila, Sean Sheila

The show was a huge success demonstrating that we need to constantly push against a world that is not representative of the society we live in. 
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