Breaking the Silence: Seeing the World Through Isabella Giddins’ Lens at the Future of Fashion

Hearing connects us to the world; it’s our most primitive form of communication, and we are constantly surrounded by sound. Have you ever stopped to consider what this world would be like in silence?

Isabella Giddins, born profoundly deaf in both ears, has two cochlear implants and a hidden language disorder. Despite these challenges, she has not let her condition define her. Her most significant hurdle is being in environments with excessive sound, where understanding people through lip-reading becomes totally exhausting. Despite the obstacles she’s faced, Isabella has built a career as a photographer, where silence becomes her language, translating her understanding of the world into visual and creative expression.

Isabella was part of the photography team during The Future of Fashion show, capturing moments of connection and joy in a universe where diversity and inclusion demonstrate that fashion can be accessible to all.

Taking part in this fashion event meant a great deal to me. It was an incredible opportunity to contribute through my work, showcasing everyone's beauty. Seeing diversity, inclusion, and people with disabilities being represented in the fashion world makes me immensely happy. Through my lens, I didn't merely capture images; I was present at a moment when everyone celebrated all forms of beauty.

For the photographer, the fashion industry is showing genuine interest in inclusion, and she believes progressive change is happening. However, a long journey remains ahead before everyone truly feels seen and accessibility and inclusion become a natural part of life for all.

I just want accessibility and inclusion to be part of everyday life for everyone. Technology’s moving forward so quickly now, and it can really make a difference in ways that weren’t possible before. We still live in a world that often revolves around the experiences of non-disabled and hearing people, but I truly believe that will change with time.

Being backstage at the show, working alongside her friend Jess, who is also deaf, and feeling the energy of people coming together brought her immense joy. It gave her the space to be herself and believe in her role: to represent and help models with disabilities be seen through their beauty, breaking traditional beauty standards and redefining what beauty can be in the fashion universe.

Seeing the diversity in one room was truly spectacular, and I feel proud to have been part of it.

For Samanta Bullock, the project's founder, the inclusion and diversity of an event form part of a context far greater than the runway spotlights. The event is designed for professionals to develop their talents by exploring different perspectives, including their own personal experiences. The integration of professionals with disabilities is a necessary collaboration, not only for fashion but across various sectors. People develop when they work in groups, and this exchange of learning adds to our development as individuals. Isabella goes on to say:

We need to give diversity and inclusion a louder voice, not just in luxury fashion or on the catwalk, but in everyday businesses too. Representation should be everywhere. It’s time to stop judging people by outdated ideas of beauty. What the world needs now isn’t exclusion, but acceptance, visibility, and the celebration of all kinds of beauty. Working on this event with others has shown me that dreams really can become reality.

As the conversation draws to a close, Isabella leaves us with a thought-provoking question:

What silence do we need to break to create a more inclusive world?

Photos by: Isabella Giddins and Ruth Virgo