What is Dressing Disability?
Dressing Disability is all about self-expression, identity and representation. Through conversations about disability aids, accessible clothing and participation in the arts, it looks at how we can use fashion to celebrate disability. So, go on, strike a pose!
It was curated by Amelia Silver, Curating for Change Fellow at the Thackray Museum, in collaboration with poet and model Enas Saeed, and fashion influencer Lucy Jane. It also includes For Us By Us, an animated film by Enas Saeed and artist Florence Burns, exploring the experiences of disabled people in the fashion industry and beyond.
Still from For Us By Us, a newly commissioned film by Enas Saeed and artist Florence Burns.
Fashion Taboos
Using objects from the Thackray collection such as patterned stoma bag covers and pieces by the wheelchair-inclusive clothing brand Unhidden, this exhibition is all about showing that fashion should be for everyone.
The two cotton stoma bag covers on display.
Strike a Pose!
To celebrate this important and groundbreaking project, we welcomed a range of creatives, artists and museum-lovers to the Thackray on 26th October. After kicking things off with Amelia’s rousing speech about disability in the heritage sector, the evening was celebrated with mocktails and craft activities!
A Group of concentrated crafters designing tote bags.
About Curating for Change
Curating for Change is a ground-breaking project launched in 2022 which exists to create strong career pathways for d/Deaf, disabled and neurodivergent curators, who are currently seriously under-represented in museums, funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Art Fund and Arts Council England.
You can read more about the work Curating for Change do here.
Dressing Disability is now part of our permanent museum display and is free with your museum ticket. Book your visit here.