On Aug. 6, The Beautiful Lives Project, a nonprofit that gives people with disabilities opportunities to participate in events and activities across sports, fashion and the arts, held its second annual fashion show at CD Peacock Mansion in Oak Brook, Ill.
The luxury and jewelry retailer also served as the show’s partner, helping raise over $40,000 dollars to support the Beautiful Lives Project’s ongoing programs.
“Though challenging as someone who is blind, creating a fashion show has long been a dream of mine. I cofounded the Beautiful Lives Project in 2017 after a life-changing opportunity to sit on the bench with the University of Evansville’s men’s basketball team. Being surrounded by people who believed in me transformed my life. Since then, my mission has been to create similar moments for others with disabilities — to give them experiences, support and belief in their potential,” Bryce Weiler, cofounder of the Beautiful Lives Project, told WWD. He added the annual event serves as a celebration of individuality, sensory connection and confidence, and represents how fashion can be deeply personal and inclusive.
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The runway show featured 10 visually impaired or blind models clad in looks that expressed their personal style, with fashions outfitted from Macy’s. Weiler noted each participant helped select their individual looks by feeling the fabrics with their hands and describing the textures and silhouettes they were drawn to.
Each participant took to the catwalk in contemporary fashions with jewelry from CD Peacock as a DJ filled the room with vibrant music. The company also noted heartfelt performances of poetry and music throughout the evening.
“At the end of the day, this isn’t just about a fashion show. It’s about creating a place where people with disabilities feel welcomed, celebrated, and genuinely included. That sense of empowerment is what makes this event so special,” Aria Holtzman, a high school senior, said in a statement. Holtzman served as co-organizer and emcee alongside her father, Steven Holtzman, vice chairman of CD Peacock.
