Despite the safe distancing measures, about 60 children and youth have been taking part in an inclusive model hunt where they learn how to walk on the runway and dance.
Social enterprise Singapore Fashion Runway (SFR) is holding its third edition of Singapore’s Next Top Inclusive Model Hunt, in partnership with YMCA Singapore.
Unlike previous years, the catwalk and dance classes, which began last week, have been conducted through videoconferencing.
About 25% of the participants have special needs, such as intellectual disabilities or autism, and SFR hopes to boost participation rate to 40% or 50%.
“The beautiful part of this (event) is that those without special needs can learn to give joy and hope to families with kids with special needs,” said SFR founder Eileen Yap.
“At the same time, the children with special needs feel confident, and find the runway format of the event very memorable,” added the trainer at Mountbatten Vocational School for those with special needs.
SFR runs several programmes, such as arts and craft sessions and dance classes, to benefit about 100 people with special needs aged 13 to 36 and their families.
During this period, the social enterprise has been conducting its programmes online, such as guiding the youth in writing encouragement notes for front-liners, a Mother’s Day-themed session on ways to thank their mums, and video-editing and making posters.
“I get to catwalk with lots of people, learn many things like being confident. I’d like to be a fashion model and work for Singapore Fashion Runway,” said Vuitton Low, who has autism spectrum disorder.
Read more here.
Source: The Straits Times, 8 June 2020