Sisters launch first-of-its-kind SEND fashion show in Liverpool

Two sisters have launched a first-of-its-kind SEND fashion show in Liverpool.

Linda and Melissa Clarke say it will shine a light on children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities.

And Linda, 38, adds:

“It’s more than just a fashion show. It is a celebration of creativity, individuality and inclusion.

“It will show the abilities of all of those taking part and allow them to see that everyone can achieve.”

The fashion show has been organised in collaboration with Iconic CIC, another city organisation run by Gemma Gosling and Fern Thompson, which aims to break the stigma in fashion, beauty and the arts, and raise awareness for mental health and hidden disabilities.

And it comes just 18 months after Linda and Melissa founded Lumiere charity in Fazakerley out of ‘love, resilience, and a desire to make a difference’ and to help support and give hope to Melissa’s little boy Jaxon, and others like him.

Jaxon, now six, was born with Type 2 Kabuki Syndrome, a rare form of the condition that only 10% of people with it have.

Along with distinctive features common to Kabuki Syndrome like long eyelashes and almond-shaped eyes, he’s had numerous health issues like a hole in the heart which led to open heart surgery as a toddler, and a feeding tube in his stomach so he could get vital nutrition to help him grow.

“Jaxon is at risk of sight and hearing loss, he has dental problems and he’s small. He was given growth hormones but he suffered with severe side effects and so was taken off them. He’s also prone to infections and something mild to someone else could hospitalise him and, like others with Kabuki, he has underlying ADHD and autism.

“He’s already been through so much in his little life,” adds Linda, born like her sister – who also has daughters Melody Rose, 13, and Valentina, seven – in Toxteth.

“But every hurdle has shaped him into the strong, gentle boy we know today. He may be small, but his heart is huge.”

Jaxon’s journey is the reason Lumiere exists, she goes on, to help support children with additional needs and their parents.

“We wanted to create a community,” says Linda, who has worked in social care throughout her life.

And at its heart was always the aim to open a play space for those with special educational needs and disabilities which they did in April this year.

“When Jaxon was younger if we took him to play centres and into social settings, like others like him, he’d feel overwhelmed and over stimulated.

“If he had a meltdown, other parents looked and judged, and if we took him to somewhere that wasn’t clean, he could end up ill.

“Play shouldn’t be a privilege, it should be a right, and a lot of children can’t just go and enjoy average play because they have got different abilities. So we created Lumiere’s inclusive Soft Play and Sensory Centre in Brookfield Drive – and we have people coming from as far away as Newcastle because there’s nothing else like it.

“There are pastel colours, so it’s softer, kinder, and filled with light for children like Jaxon; we clean and sanitise the play areas between every one-and-a-half hour session, and our staff are trained to work with children with additional needs and health conditions.

“Parents can come and relax and have a cuppa and chat knowing their children are in a safe and fun environment, and we even have an area for siblings, so they don’t have to feel left out as many do.”

The Dare to be Different SEND Fashion Show will be held at the centre this Saturday, with children who use Lumiere – and their brothers and sisters – taking part, and profits going towards the work of Lumiere and Iconic CIC.

Hayley Smallman, whose daughter Holly defied medics to live to the age of 18 after being born with complex medical needs, and continues to be passionate about the need for society to change its views on children with additional needs, will host the show and High Sherriff of Merseyside Billy Hui will hand out certificates to all those taking part.

“And the children have designed and upcycled their own clothes which they will model along with new clothes from Svante and Glamify,” smiles Linda.

“This fashion show will allow our young people to show their amazing personalities and Jessica Amy Williams, a model for Zebedee and Down’s Syndrome ambassador will give a talk so everyone can learn than anything in possible.”

During the evening, artwork by Danielle Rebecca Firth which shows Lumiere’s journey will be unveiled.

“Instead of highlighting the negative, it will put a spotlight on everything that’s positive; and show that everyone can dream – and see those dreams come true.”* Tickets for the Dare to be Different SEND Fashion Show being held at Lumiere on Saturday, September 27 from 2pm to 6pm are £8 for children and £15 for adults, plus booking fees.