Groundbreaking fashion shoot of models with a learning disability

Monday 21 September 2009

Creative director Gary Harvey has produced dramatic photos of models with a learning disability

For a second year, creative director Gary Harvey teamed up with Mencap's Viewpoint magazine to put together a stunning fashion photoshoot featuring models with a learning disability.

Last year's shoot featured young people with a learning disability. Its success prompted the ex-Levis Europe creative director to plan a second shoot – this time searching for people aged 18-40. The final ten models were carefully selected from applications sent in to Viewpoint.

For Gary, whose brother and sister both have a learning disability, the Viewpoint shoot is a rare chance to cast people with a learning disability in such a glamorous light.

"It's been interesting planning this shoot," he said. "People [in the fashion industry] show interest, but when I ask for pages in their magazines, they say it's not their thing. And fair enough it isn't, but I wish it was. Fashion just isn't accommodating, and disability is not top of the agenda."

The theme for this year's shoot was high-end sophistication – Hollywood glamour and James Bond glitz. Jessica Bromley, 28, one of the models chosen by Gary, revelled in the look. "I love fashion, and I loved posing for the camera," she said. "I feel like a famous person, or a film star."

Read more and have your say on the photoshoot

See more images from the photoshoot