Wheelchair bound woman who was shunned by the fashion industry has her modelling dreams fulfilled after being signed up for a 'game-changing' runway show
- Ukrainian model proved doubters wrong by starring in a runway show
- Model Alexandra Kutas, 23, lives in Dnipro, Ukraine
- She suffered a spinal cord injury at birth and has never been able to walk
- She has faced discrimination in her career especially from modelling agents
- She will be the face of acclaimed fashion designer Fedor Vozianov's runway
A young Ukrainian model who is paralysed from the waist down has fulfilled her dreams after starring in a groundbreaking fashion show.
Model Alexandra Kutas, 23, says she has faced discrimination in the past, but became the first professional model in a wheelchair to headline a runway event in her country last night.
Alexandra, who lives in Dnipro, Ukraine, told Femail ahead of the show her catwalk appearance was a fashion industry 'game changer'.
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Alexandra, seen at the show, was carried in a chair on the runway in the Ukraine
Model Alexandra Kutas, 23, who is paralysed from the waist down, is set to star in a groundbreaking fashion show
Alexandra at a rehearsal in the chair specially created for her runway appearance
'I think this could be a real game-changer in the fashion world,' she said ahead of the event.
'I want children who may have disabilities to know that even though it's not easy, you can achieve anything if you have enough passion for it.'
Alexandra, who suffered a spinal cord injury at birth, has never been able to walk - but that hasn't stopped her from chasing her dreams.
With the help of New York-based friend, Blake Wind, who is also in a wheelchair, she was put into contact with acclaimed Ukrainian fashion designer Fedor Vozianov, who offered to make her the face of his upcoming collection in two runway shows.
Alexandra, who also volunteers as an advisor to the mayor of her city on issues of disability and universal access, said: 'Because of a birth injury I could never walk and have always been in a wheelchair.’
Alexandra, who lives in Dnipro, Ukraine, told Femail: 'I think this could be a real game-changer in the fashion world'
Speaking ahead of the show, she said: 'It's going to be quite challenging and it's a great responsibility so I'm a little nervous.
'But of course it's also very exciting. It's been my my dream since I was a teenager.
'I wanted to work with a designer who had the courage to see into the future and who had a vision of what fashion could be without limits on anyone.
Alexandra, who suffered a spinal cord injury at birth, has never been able to walk - but that hasn't stopped her from chasing her dreams
'For the runway I'll have a special chair which will be carried by male models. Of course in my regular life I have my normal wheelchair, but for the show I wanted the chair to be something beautiful so it's become a piece of art.'
The young fashion hopeful says she has faced discrimination in her career - especially when it came to contacting modelling agencies.
She said: 'There aren't many examples of disabled fashion models in the world.
With the help of New York-based friend Blake Wind, who is also in a wheelchair, she was put into contact with acclaimed Ukrainian fashion designer Fedor Vozianov
'I've had modelling agents tell me directly to my face that they don't want me because I'm in a wheelchair. They say: "You're very beautiful but the market isn't ready for you."
'But with this fashion show I want to prove that the world is totally ready for a model in a wheelchair.
'I want to be judged by whether I'm a professional or not - not by something like disability or skin colour or anything like that.
'And I think this can be a great example of diversity in Ukraine.'
Vozianov offered to make her the face of his upcoming collection in a pair of runway shows scheduled for February 3
Alexandra, who had her first photoshoot at 18 and started modelling professionally two years ago, added: 'My biggest ambition would be to make the cover of Vogue - I think that's every model's dream.
'I love modelling because I feel more alive when I'm working.
'When I younger I was inspired by Alexander McQueen, who used a model with a disability in his runway show in 1999. It was amazing to see this beautiful lady and in that show her disability didn't matter at all.'
Alexandra had her first photoshoot at 18 and started modelling professionally two years ago
The disability advocate added: 'Ukraine, unfortunately, is not really an accessible country for people with disabilities especially in terms of public transport, generally getting around and being independent.
'But since my story has become known I've had lots and lots of very touching letters from parents of kids with disabilities who say they now know they can believe in themselves.
'It's an incredible feeling knowing you have the freedom to be who you want to be.'
She said: 'It's an incredible feeling knowing you have the freedom to be who you want to be'
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