The New Influencers: Bold, Beautiful, Creative, and Inspiring
As brands embrace inclusive and adaptive fashion, a new generation of young influencers are showing that all women should be able to see themselves as beautiful and worthy of aspirational content…
The generation that brought us the social media influencer, is also very sensitive to bringing everyone along with them. Diversity, inclusion, design innovation, and boundary-pushing concepts are very much the zeitgeist in the digital realm. And, of course, having a disability is not a trend, but being bold, beautiful, and creative, comes in all shapes, sizes, and experiences, and abilities.
A Few Favorites to Follow
Allison Lang
Allison Lang is a Canadian Paralympian and motivational speaker, making waves not only in athletics but also in the fight for disability visibility and inclusion and self-acceptance. Born with a limb difference, Allison has turned what some see as a challenge into her superpower, inspiring others to embrace their uniqueness. In addition to working as a model and public speaker, Allison is an athlete for Team Canada's Sitting Volleyball Team.
Chelsie Hill
Chelsie Hill, a professional dancer, and wheelchair user, is breaking stereotypes in the dance world — and we are so here for it! Paralyzed in a car accident at 17, Hill founded the Rollettes, an all-wheelchair dance team, showcasing that mobility challenges are no barrier to artistry and athleticism. Her commitment to redefining beauty standards, and celebrating movement, resonates deeply with both her community, and anyone hooked on joy in action.
“The doctor told me “You are not going to be able to walk…” and my first response was, “Forget walking, I just want to dance.” and that's where it all started.” -Chelsie Hill, founder, Rollettes
See more of Chelsie’s story here:
Maya Moore
At just 17, Maya Moore faced a life-altering diagnosis: a rare form of sarcoma that led to the loss of her right arm. Instead of letting her disability define her, Maya focused instead on becoming a beacon of empowerment and advocacy. Now a model, writer, and content creator, Maya is captivating audiences with her bold, unapologetic approach to life and fashion. Through her Instagram account and her Substack newsletter Onehanded/Overdressed, Maya showcases her unique style, blending high fashion with honesty and authenticy.
April Lockhart
April Lockhart brings a fashionable and empowering approach to disability advocacy. Born without her left hand, the beauty, and lifestyle influencer encourages followers to embrace their differences unapologetically. And while seeing April working with premium brands, and as a full-time influencer, makes it seem likes she’s been doing this work for years, it only really took off with her ‘disabled fashun girlie’ series of posts in 2022. What started as a New Year’s resolution, put the young women at the front and center of inclusive fashion and beauty.
April shares her journey on your YouTube channel as well:
“For the longest time, I—and probably others in the disabled community as well—have gotten so used to just making our own adaptations to our clothes. And buying normal clothes because we love them. Even till now, I wear sweaters and just roll up my sleeves. Whilst others I know might purchase items with wider necklines, avoid buttons or opt for zippers. I do feel it’s tough, because you don’t want to sacrifice the style and quality just because it’s adaptive.” -April’s interview with Vogue Singapore, July 2023
Bri Scalesse
Bri Scalesse is a model and disability advocate using her platform to challenge societal misconceptions about wheelchair users. Bri dreamed of becoming a model from a young age, despite having used a wheelchair since she was six years old. In GRAZIA magazine’s Game Changer issue, she talks of how America’s Next Top Model made her fall in love with modeling, but at the same time recognize that no one looked as she did.
Ali Truwit
In May 2023, just days after graduating from Yale University, Ali Truwit was on a magical trip to the Turks and Caicos that turned into a nightmare quickly. Ali was attacked by a shark, and through a harrowing experience, lost her left foot and part of her leg as a result. Demonstrating remarkable resilience, Truwit swam approximately 75 yards back to the boat, where her friend applied a tourniquet and saved her life.
Determined not to let this traumatic event define her, Truwit returned to the pool just a month after her amputation. Her dedication paid off when she qualified for the 2024 Paris Paralympics, where she earned two silver medals in the S10 400-meter freestyle and 100-meter backstroke events, setting American records in both.
Beyond her athletic achievements, Truwit founded “Stronger Than You Think,” a nonprofit organization aimed at providing financial assistance for prosthetics and promoting water safety. Ali’s journey from a life-threatening incident to becoming a Paralympic medalist and advocate serves as a powerful testament to human resilience and the pursuit of excellence against all odds.
Have an influencer you follow, or just an overall amazing women we should know? Please get in touch.