To say fashion has been a large influence on my life would be a gross understatement. From my time in the NFL, to my career now as a Model and Fashion Influencer I have always taken pride in expressing myself through what I wear.
Fashion truly knows no boundaries so when I was asked to be featured in CR Fashion Book's issue highlighting Hero's of Special Olympics I can honestly say it was one of the biggest honors I've received in my lifetime.
About Carine Roitfeld
Carine Roitfeld is the former editor-in-chief of Vogue Paris, a position she held from 2001 to 31 January 2011. A former fashion model and writer, she announced her resignation on 17 December 2010 and was succeeded by Emmanuelle Alt. In 2012, she became founder and editor-in-chief of CR Fashion Book which has grown into a leading global source for all things fashion and lifestyle.
For those of you who are not aware I have a sister who has been a part of Special Olympics since she was a child. She has been a driving influence for me since I was young and is why I am so involved with the Special Olympics to this day. As a United States Ambassador my goal has and always will be to advocate for inclusive measures, and to see it now being embraced by the Fashion & Entertainment Industry shows the progress being made.
Fashion Forward
On set for the CR Fashion Book Collaboration with Special Olympics
Since the time I was young I was always drawn to how the Creative Direction of a Designer could influence people on such a large scale and allow people to have a unique and visual form of expression.
Last year I began developing the Fashion Forward Initiative which parters with designers to create capsule collections of Inclusive Apparel which premier at key events throughout each fashion season. People with Intellectual Disabilities have often been overlooked in the fashion space but this year more and more publications and designers are creating #Inclusive apparel.
Inclusive By Nature
Daniel Davila is a Special Olympic's Athlete that has represented Special Olympics & the New York Chapter during the World Games in Austria, and also accepted an ESPY Award in 2017 in L.A.
District 75 is an All Inclusive School helping those with Intellectual Disabilities prepare for life through sports, and continued education on skills that help them succeed in the workplace.