Irish social media influencer and disability activist, Sinéad Burke, has been praised by US fashion magazine Vogue.
In an interview the publication said Burke has become a "vocal representative for the disabled, speaking out for a group whose needs have been ignored by fashion."
Burke said in the interview, “I have lived my whole existence as somebody who is very physically identifiable and often that brings harassment, but I am [now] coming into the stage where my presence on the Internet and visibility within fashion circles is growing.”
I have read American Vogue for most of my adult life. Seeing this headline and this article, well, it’s a little surreal. Thank you, @okjanelle. https://t.co/e3zLLl1V3f
— Sinéad Burke (@TheSineadBurke) September 6, 2018
Burke has campaigned for increased visibility for those with disabilities in the fashion industry. She is advising an approach which sees consumers reflecting on where and what they spend money and how best to increase diversity in the fashion industry.
With her background in education, Burke is currently working on a project with students at NCAD to design items such as backpacks with built-in seating and clothing to suit little people.
"One of the challenges we as a society have is that we view accessibility as something that is almost the antithesis of beauty, and that's never helpful," Burke told Vogue.
