Blind models work the runway at fashion show for the visually impaired

Chicago Tribune

11 hours ago

Brenda Nicholson waited in the Nordstrom fitting room, listening intently as the staff described the colors, textures and cut of the outfits hanging on a rack.
She typically gravitates toward clothing with pops of color, but this time Nicholson selected a gold, mesh-embroidered dress that cut down to her ankles. She chose the outfit based on the staff's vivid description and the way it felt when she touched the material.
When a partially blind model's eyes can't help, she must rely on her other senses — touch and hearing, in this case — to help ready her for the runway.
Nicholson was one of 10 visually impaired models who walked in the Beautiful Lives Fashion Show earlier this month at the CD Peacock Mansion in Oak Brook. The inaugural event celebrated the idea that everyone can enjoy clothing — even if they experience it in a different way than most.
'Good fashion feels like the textures that send tingling sensations through your fingers,' said Beautiful Lives Project co-founder Bryce Weiler, who has been blind since birth. 'Textures mean something.'
The show's models were students at the Chicago-based Illinois Center of Rehabilitation and Education-Wood, which offers vocational and life skills training for blind and visually impaired adults. Students can receive instruction on everything from cooking and computers to reading braille and crossing eight-lane streets.
The event gave many participants their first exposure to modeling — something several said they had never considered.
'Is the runway ready for me?' model Monty Rogers, who lost his sight more than three years ago, asked his fellow models.
Rogers said he has always had a sense of style. Prior to selecting his runway outfit, he wore a patterned kilt with 'pride colors' and knee-high socks.
A former telephone engineer and photographer, Rogers motioned to his outfit: 'I still have aesthetics,' he said.
Rogers, who feels almost all his clothes before buying, selected jeans and a striped, navy blue sweater with a soft jacket. The sweater's collar, lifted and distinct from the sweater's main material, framed his neck, which was accessorized with a thin chain.
'I'm blind as hell and I'm still a fashionista,' he said.
In a 'vacation vibe' salmon shirt with khaki pants, Lawrence Lacy made his runway debut alongside experienced model Jennifer Cruz, the reigning Mrs. Illinois International 2025. Moments before walking, Lacy, who's blind, gave Cruz tips on one aspect of runway modeling that she had never encountered: how to be his guide.
On a daily basis, Lacy said he uses the application 'Be My Eyes,' to assist in planning outfits. The app helps users who are blind or have low vision by providing visual descriptions of daily tasks such as navigating unfamiliar surroundings and explaining the color of an object.
From his clothing needs, Lacy uses the 'Be My Eyes' to match outfits to a hanger, including specifics, 'like the color (patches) on his socks,' he said.
Prior to the show, runway walkers filled out surveys, describing the styles, textures, feelings and colors they wanted to showcase most. The show's organizer, 16–year-old Aria Holtzman, then worked with the Nordstrom staff to select outfits that matched the model's personal style.
'A lot of models wanted patterns,' Holtzman said.
Holtzman also accessorized the outfits with shoes and jewelry, borrowed from CD Peacock, to complete the looks.
The Hinsdale teen, who is beginning her junior year at Culver Academies in Indiana, came up with the idea for the show after attending a summer camp at Vogue's New York office. She came home inspired to make fashion accessible for everyone regardless of their abilities or medical conditions. With the support of her father — CD Peacock Chairman Steven Holtzman — she teamed up with Weiler and the Beautiful Lives Project.
Along with Beautiful Lives Project co-founders Weiler and Michael Gudino, Holtzman worked with CD Peacock interior designers to make sure the event space resembled a runway and was clear of obstacles that could prove difficult for models and spectators as they moved around the mansion's first floor. She also ensured the 6-foot-wide runway was wide enough for both the models and their escorts.
With just 39 days to put on the show, Holtzman wrote the script and served as the evening's emcee. She also encouraged the models to make their own personalized introductions before they headed down the runway.
After Holtzman introduced Lacy, he took the microphone and offered a short message of appreciation. He thanked the ICRE-W program and the Beautiful Lives Project for 'transforming me into the person you see before you.'
'Just know that anything that you love, that gets a little help, you can be a part of,' he told the audience.
Rogers, during his runway walk, sang a rendition of 'Feeling Good' to the spectators' delight.
'Monty lives his life knowing that the only thing he can't do is see, ' Holtzman told the audience. But Roger wasn't the only model with a talent to display.
Nicholson, who lives in downstate Bellview, was the night's last model, concluding her walk with a dance to Rebirth Brass Band's 'Do Whatcha Wanna.' Before her stepping onto the runway, organizers reminded her of the song's six-minute duration,
'I can do it,' she said without hesitation.
Nicholson substituted her white cane for a translucent umbrella as the music played. The audience rhythmically clapped to keep the beat.
Although the music was cut off by applause before the full song could end, Nicholson said she 'was born dancing to this.' She could do it in her sleep, she said.
The models kept their Nordstrom clothing, which had been purchased for them by the Holtzman family.
Although this is the first fashion show the Beautiful Lives Project participated in, Weiler said he hopes for other opportunities like it.
'We are surrounded by people who want to help (others) live out their dreams,' he said. 'To help you to find employment, and to say that there are no barriers that can hold someone back with a disability.'