"Role Models Not Runway Models"

Last month, Jamie Brewer, famous for her acting in American Horror Story, made the headlines as the first model with Down Syndrome to walk in New York Fashion Week. This was a huge step in showing all women that they are beautiful, that they can look amazing in the clothing shown in Fashion Week. What's amazing, though, is the designer whose clothes Brewer modeled, Carrie Hammer. Her mission was to "feature role models over actually runway models." (Her line is actually called "Role Models Not Runway Models," and inspiring and empowering women from around the world are featured as models.) She did just that, and what an amazing impact her message had on the nation.

When Hammer was asked to show her designs at New York Fashion Week last year, she chose to use her own clients instead of real runway models. This included Danielle Sheypuk, the first model in a wheelchair to be featured in Fashion Week, and other models varying in height, weight, and ethnicity.

Jamie Brewer walking in Fashion Week

Carrie Hammer's mission to include real clients of all types modeling her clothing means so much to me and women throughout the world. As I said before, she has shown women that everyone can wear the clothes they see in Fashion Week, that everyone can feel beautiful.  Most importantly, though, Hammer has shown the world that a woman's image does not define them; it is only a small part of who they are. What's most important is a person's mind, what they do with their life, and who they are inside. Hammer realizes this and it is reflected in her models and clothing line.