At the age of 28, Karen Crespo became infected with bacterial meningitis, which left her as a quadruple amputee. Crespo never expected that this life-threatening infection would be the reason why she would be walking the runway at New York Fashion Week. Now a 31-year-old Crespo is an inspiration to diversity in the fashion world and women everywhere, all with the help of fashion designer Carrier Hammer.
Hammer, a former businesswoman, designs clothes for real women in the business world. The models used in her fashion show properly represent the actual women who will be wearing her clothes. On the runway Hammer even uses some of her actual clients. During a fashion show last February, Hammer continued to diversify her runway models by featuring Danielle Sheypuk, who is wheelchair bound. According to her interview with Today.com, when Crespo saw Sheypuk on the runway she knew she wanted to get on the runway, to help inspire someone else with a disability. She contacted Hammer, thanking her for being aware of disabilities. Hammer then asked Crespo to be one of her models for New York Fashion week.
The fashion world rarely diversifies the image of the model used in fashion shows. Hammer is using the runway to change the ideal of a fashion model. After walking on a New York Fashion Week runway, Crespo is now the first quadruple amputee to walk the runway. Not only is Hammer and her models raising awareness for these disabilities they are also helping to change the fashion world. During an interview with Today.com Hammer said, “Beauty lies in our differences. There isn’t one slim ideal beauty, but that’s what fashion has become all about.”
Since walking the runway, Crespo has a newfound love of her body and the her own traits that set her apart from the world.
