If you don’t know about the work that Dance For Abilities does, it’s a charity that seeks to create inclusive, fun spaces in which people with disabilities can cut loose a little, have a dance and express themselves. Started by brothers Jonathan and Daniel Hopkirk who saw little opportunity for their sister with Down syndrome to go out in the same way they did, Dance For Abilities has facilitated a number of highly-popular social events both here and in Australia.
Now, DFA is looking beyond its typical format to host a fashion show at the upcoming New Zealand Fashion Week. Living Colour will be the first fashion show in New Zealand, in fact, to be entirely comprised of models with intellectual disabilities. “We are really excited to get the opportunity to open another door for people with intellectual disabilities,” Daniel Hopkirk says. “Our teams’ goal is to continually evolve [Dance For Abilities] and create equal opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities to have a night out in these fantastic locations and events around Auckland.”
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Set to see the models dressed in designs from some of New Zealand’s most renowned names in fashion, including Zambesi, the Living Colour fashion show will be a lively affair, with judges Dame Pieter Stewart and Zambesi’s Liz Findlay on hand to distribute prizes for the best dancers, the best dressed guests and the best moves on the catwalk.
Whether it’s fashion or the Dance For Abilities cause that is close to your heart, this event is gearing up to be something everyone can enjoy, and will be the perfect note to end fashion week on.
Given that Dance For Abilities is a charity, the team needs to raise $10,000 to be able to put the show on and cover the 350 guests they are expecting on the day. One donation of $35 will cover food, drinks and entertainment for one guest, and can be made here. For more information about this event and how to support it, click here.
