STATEMENT
Fashion is an established contributor to the visibility of racialised, trans, fat and also, disabled bodies. It’s influence has been for long overdue, enabled and encouraged by recent conversations in disability, diversity and inclusion. Therefore fashion serves as a vehicle to converse on the topic of disability and it’s either antagonizing or assimilative proces in society. In short, fashion — and also design, have long noticed and acknowledged disability and the disabled body as an imaginairy site of inspiration. However, the condition of such entry are often complex and biased. Even more, they’re often portrayed in the visual mainstream as negative, disavowing or fetishized. People with disabilities are often either portrayed as freaks, anomalies or as a point of inspiration for non-disabled peers.
HUMN.AID is a project where people with disabilities can take the center stage, with their own stories, needs and agency. We designed not only a collection of fashion-accessoires, but a platform for disabled people to feel safe, celebrated and proud. We should not have to hide our disabilities, illness or differences.
HUMN.AID is a counter-narrative to the current mainstream stereotypes and fetishisation of disability in fashion. By creating with an network of people with disability lived experiences, this projects places agency, pride and empowerment at the centre and in front of the lens. As the disability rights slogan goes ‘nothing about us, without us’, this project is carried by the skills, knowledge and power of disabled people.
HUMN.AID wants fashion to be an empowering statement and a conversation-starter about how we see disabled people and how they see themselves through the lens of society. It is an opportunity where design and fashion can disrupt a canon of normalcy and celebrate difference.
HUMN.AID is a collection of fashion-accessoires for people with an insuline pump and/or catheder. Yet, everybody is free to wear these design. Our collection is build to be cripped up and used by anyone who wants to use/wear it.
HUMN.AID designed with an intent of sustainability and local collaborations. We carefully chose partners because of their quality and because of their fair en inclusive practice. We created with innovative, fresh and sustainable materials.
HUMN.AID wants to continue. Do you have any ideas, proposals or collaborations? Feel free to contact us.