On Friday, September 5th, designer Carrie Hammer took to the runway to redefine the face of beauty. The first designer to ever feature a model on the runway in a wheelchair, Carrie is recognized as a visionary in the world of fashion and beyond. With a troop of 24 successful women in tow, Hammer touched down this New York Fashion Week to display her new line to the world, flaunted by her roster of Role Models Not Runway Models.
From entrepreneurs to lawyers to business women and visionaries, these ladies rocked the runway in Carrie’s new line of “CEO badass chic” work wear – proving that beauty comes in all shapes and sizes. Among them was Save the Date®‘s very own Jennifer Gilbert, who paraded down the runway in a striking red ensemble. From her stilettos to her red lipstick, Jennifer’s bold and fearless look was the perfect complement to her inspirational persona. Her touching story of overcoming tragedy has inspired many around the world. Her success as an entrepreneur, an author, and a mother makes her a relatable, confident, and fearless individual – elements that shone brightly on the runway.
As Jennifer strutted down the runway, Karen Crespo walked alongside her. Crespo is a role model with a similarly touching story to share. She is a quadruple amputee who overcame a battle with bacterial meningitis. Upon hearing about Hammer’s wheelchair-bound model in her February fashion show, she reached out to express her gratitude for representing models of all types. The two connected instantly, and six months later Crespo’s dream came true as she walked the runway with her prosthetic limbs and beaming smile.
Check out the coverage from Carrie Hammer’s Role Models Not Runway Models and see for yourself why these beautiful, badass women are inspirations to us all.