National Asian Wedding Show Featured Disabled Model On The Catwalk For The First Time
1st December 2023
The Platinum Group, part of the National Asian Wedding Show made history by featuring a disabled model on the catwalk for the first time, and for our founder, Zubee it was a real privilege to be a part of that.
Zubee shares what the National Asian Wedding is about and what it meant to her to be part of the show. As someone who hasn't modelled before, Zubee was excited to be involved, representing disability on the catwalk and raising awareness in the fashion industry.
Zubee hopes her participation will encourage other event companies to consider making their events accessible and inclusive to deaf and disabled people and lead the way in making a change in the fashion world. We would love to see other event companies follow them and have disability represented in their shows.
The National Asian Wedding Show is Europe’s largest Asian wedding exhibition that takes place every year at different locations, held nationally. The show returned for it’s 18th year on Sunday the 26th of November 2023, at the Novotel London West, Hammersmith. This was an event not to be missed!
The show had a large number of wedding exhibitors and suppliers showcasing their products and services with inspirational ideas, to help you make your special day memorable. Alongside that, the event hosted a stunning catwalk show that featured the latest in Asian fashion trends.
It was a real privilege for Zubee to be the first disabled person to model in an Asian Wedding catwalk show, to represent disability in the fashion industry and to raise awareness. This was a huge step for the organisers to include a disabled model. To prepare for the big day, we attended rehearsals and outfit fittings on Friday 24th November. It was great for us to meet with the team and to see the work that goes on in front and behind the scenes.
For Zubee the fit and length of a garment can be tricky when looking for something to wear, whether that’s in Western or Asian clothes and she knows sourcing a suitable outfit was going to be a challenge for Manny's team as it was their first time having a disabled person model. With bridal wear especially, garments tend to be very long and a lot of designers don't cater for disabled people but Zubee was excited to see what the team had come up with for her specific needs and requirements. When she heard that they had managed to source her an outfit she couldn’t wait to see it and try it on. Zubee said, "I have always wanted to wear a bridal outfit just to see what it would look like and I never thought it would be possible because of how long and big they are."
Zubee loved the experience of being able to model for the first time even though she was nervous because she didn’t know how the audience would react but once she was out on the runway, the sound of the audience applause, the lighting and the cameras down the catwalk just made Zubee feel amazing and she couldn’t believe she was modelling in a designer’s wedding outfit. Zubee would like to thank Reena, the designer of the outfit she wore and giving her the opportunity to walk for Pannaz Boutique.
We feel the show has led the way to making a change in the fashion industry and getting conversations going as we’ve seen by the reactions and comments across our social media. Zubee would like to say a huge thank you to Manny and his wonderful team for giving us this amazing opportunity and for their help and support in making her look and feel amazing. Zubee said, "I don't usually like to put makeup on unless it's necessary and going down the catwalk with my hair and make-up done was out of my comfort zone because I'm very self-conscious, but doing this gave me a boost in my confidence."
Zubee wore a beautifully styled red blouse and skirt (Lengha) with golden embroidery and a matching scarf (dupatta). The skirt Zubee wore had to be pinned up quite a lot from the bottom so she was able to walk in it comfortably and not trip over as it was a bit heavy and she was worried it wouldn’t work. The dupatta also had to be pinned up in a way to make it easy for her. The team did a really good job in making sure it worked for Zubee on her crutches.
Outfit by Pannaz Botique
Hair and Makeup by Geet Soni Academy
Jewellery by Aartist Jewellery
Styled by Mirza Miah & Shiv Rura
Photography by ELREM Foundation
As organisers of one of the most anticipated Asian wedding shows in the UK, Platinum Group took a ground-breaking step towards inclusivity in the fashion world. In a move that underscores our commitment to celebrating diversity, we are thrilled to have had the opportunity to work with Access My Events founder, Zubee Kibria who walked the catwalk at The National Asian Wedding Show on Sunday 26th November at Novotel London West, Hammersmith.
The fashion industry has long been associated with conventional standards of beauty, but we believe it’s time for a change. By featuring disabled models, we are making a statement that beauty transcends physical abilities and that everyone deserves to feel glamorous and confident. We want to redefine beauty standards and challenge preconceived notions.
Our decision to include a disabled model on the catwalk is not merely about making a statement; it’s about genuine representation. We firmly believe that everyone should be able to see themselves in the fashion world, and this move is a step towards making that vision a reality, Manny, Founder of the Platinum Group.
After the show, it was lovely to hear a compliment from a member of the public and to see so many more lovely comments on social media, which Zubee has been really touched by, with some making her a bit emotional just reading them. We have included a few of them below.
We were super proud to be a part of history being created. A huge congratulations to Manny and the team at Platinum Group for pushing the boundaries by showcasing a disabled model on the fashion runway. We are proud sponsors of Europe's largest Asian Wedding Show.
Game changing moment for the industry – well done for leading the way.
Love this! Amazing work and also such a beautiful model
What is the name of the model? She’s gorgeous and should be tagged and celebrated!
Wow! What a heartwarming moment to witness she’s beautiful from the inside and out, giving a chance to all women to showcase their beauty on the runway, is truly inspiring.
My eyes filled up as she was passing the stage.
Amazing motivation for a lot of us. Thank you for breaking these barriers and giving people like us hope and not to give up.
Love this. We need more of it!
Love this. Thank you for breaking down norms and bringing in diversity in this industry which has been neglected for the longest time ever.
Zubee said, "I can't help but feel like a celebrity after all the attention the posts shared have been getting on social media and the level of engagement and awareness getting out there." 😃
If you are a company interested in making your events accessible, please get in touch with us to find out more!
To see some more photos and videos from the show, please go to the gallery section of our website and visit our Instagram page.
We are already looking forward to next year’s show. To find out more about their upcoming events, please visit the National Asian Wedding Show Website.