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In the vibrant atmosphere of Tampa’s Hotel Alba, model Caitlyn Cooks confidently practised her runway walk on the pool deck. On this Friday afternoon, her fellow models, remarkable women from Florida facing amputations, spinal cord injuries, Down syndrome, or colon cancer, enthusiastically cheered from the sidelines.
These models embodied Lady Fines, a local fashion company specialising in accessible clothing for disabled women. The brand unveiled its inaugural collection at Tampa Bay Fashion Week later that evening.
Given the unique challenges associated with the disabilities Lady Fines aimed to highlight, the team recognised the need for additional rehearsal time to ensure the models felt comfortable on stage. They moved from the ballroom to the hotel lobby, the restaurant, and eventually the pool deck after running out of rehearsal time.
Midway through Caitlyn Cooks’ walk, Lady Natasha Fines, the owner, paused to offer advice. She encouraged all the women to showcase their personalities and have fun with the audience during the show.
Wearing a stylish ensemble featuring a cropped black shirt with puffed shoulders, a bedazzled denim collar, and a detachable sleeve, Cooks asked for guidance on her final pose. Emeline Fines, business partner and mother of Lady Natasha Fines suggested highlighting the Velcro feature before expressing her style.
Lady Fines’ collection, characterised by vibrant Barbie pink and bedazzled embellishments, incorporated features designed to enhance the lives of women with disabilities. The clothing replaced traditional buttons with Velcro or magnets and featured zippers on both sides of cargo pants for those with limited leg dexterity. It included discreet access points for IVs and medical devices in a tracksuit.
Empowering phrases such as “Rebel with a cause” or “No one is you, and that is your superpower” adorned some pieces. Caitlyn Cooks praised the detachable sleeves, emphasising the convenience they offered.
Lady Natasha Fines, a Tampa native with a fashion business management degree from New York City’s Fashion Institute of Technology, initiated Lady Fines after observing a gap in the industry. She aimed to address the lack of accessibility in mainstream brands and chose Tampa Bay as the launch site to fulfil a childhood dream.
Despite challenges in recruiting local models, Lady Fines found six representatives from Orlando to Miami. Fines emphasised the importance of these models serving as role models and giving a voice to those with similar experiences.
The debut of Lady Fines took place during the 16th Tampa Bay Fashion Week show, with the models showcasing their collection with infectious smiles, a stark contrast to the stoic expressions of their predecessors. The audience and enthusiastic supporters cheered and clapped for each model, creating an uplifting atmosphere.
In her distinctive ensemble, Caitlyn Cooks confidently displayed the velcro feature and concluded her walk with a dramatic turn, revealing a cheeky denim heart on the back of the pants. The final group walk showcased different accessibility features, leaving a lasting impression on the audience.
After the show, the Lady Fines team celebrated their successful debut, with Lady Natasha Fines planning improvements for future fashion shows to enhance accessibility for the models. Despite the challenges behind the scenes, Fines expressed pride in the resilience and excitement displayed by her models on the stage.