As flocks of designers, models and icons descend upon New York City this Fashion Week, Jennifer Gilbert will make her runway debut in Carrie Hammer’s inspiring show, Role Models Not Runway Models.
Encouraging individuality, confidence, and kick-ass sense of self-worth, Carrie Hammer’s vision is one that pushes boundaries and redefines limitations. 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. Taking to the runway with her new line this Fashion Week, Hammer hand-picked some of the most inspiring, positive, and driven women to bring her vision to life. It’s no surprise then, that she chose Jennifer Gilbert to be a leading lady in her show this Friday, September 5th, as one of the line’s role models to rock the runway.
Jennifer Gilbert’s story is as touching as it is inspiring. After a vicious attack left her nearly dead at the age of 22, she had to fight for her livelihood – both on a profound physical and emotional levels. The road to recovery was dark and daunting, but Gilbert found the strength to push through. Jennifer threw herself into her work and built her career as an event planner, converting all negative energy into positive output. Her company Save The Date® was then born. Each life event and milestone they planned brought joy to Gilbert and those around her. From darkness came light, and from tragedy, inspiration. Her memoir, I Never Promised You a Goodie Bag, voiced her brave story to the world, and Jennifer’s success as an entrepreneur, an author, and a mother proved to be an inspiration to all. “I wanted my book to be real, and honest and relatable, and I hope above all inspirational,” Gilbert wrote. And that it undoubtedly was. This sense of relatability is evident in all that Gilbert does, and will be sure to shine brightly on the runway this Friday.
Alongside her, Jennifer will be joined on the runway by Karen Crespo, a woman with a similarly touching story to share. Crespo is a quadruple amputee who was one of the hundreds to reach out to Hammer following her February fashion show. She expressed just how moved she was to see a disabled model being featured on the runway, and told her tale of courage and perseverance after losing her limbs. Six months later, Crespo is set to see her dream come true https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q306M8B9Y0o as she rocks the runway of New York City’s Fashion Week in her own custom Hammer dress – prosthetic limbs, a beaming smile, unwavering confidence and all.
These strong and fearless women will show New York’s Fashion Week just what true beauty is about as they take the runway by storm. Talk about role models indeed.
For more information on Jennifer Gilbert, connect with her below:
