"Be Brave" Initiative Puts Special Olympics Athletes in the Spotlight
Photos by Nigel Barker
Every September, thousands of people flock to Manhattan to experience the glitz and glamour of New York Fashion Week. It’s at this weekend event that we get a glimpse of what styles will be trending during the upcoming season (fringe is back, in case you were wondering). We also look to New York Fashion Week for inspiration, for creativity, for purpose.
Enter Be Brave, a collaborative design project between Parson’s School of Design and Special Olympics that tasked three design students to create a collection fit for four New York athletes. This design initiative was created to amplify the voices of intellectually disabled athletes, showing that functionality in fashion is crucial when discussing inclusivity.
Student designers Xinyi Su, Jessica Tan, and Weijing Xiao were selected for the 5-month New York program. They worked side by side with Special Olympics athletes Daniel Fletcher, Alfred Ha, Larissa Walker, and Janissa Lloyd. World-renowned fashion photographer and Special Olympics Ambassador Nigel Barker mentored the designers throughout the creative process, helping the students focus on the style and function of each piece. Together they discussed the individual needs of each athlete and their unique preferences in design, shape, and fit.
In an interview with Cheddar News, Special Olympics New York president and CEO Stacey Hengsterman said that the Be Brave project proves that creating stylish, functional clothing is possible.
“The inspiration is inclusive fashion, wearable fashion, and to make our athletes feel their best,” said Hengsterman.
The Be Brave models and design team pose with photographer Nigel Barker at New York Fashion week on September 9, 2021.
(From left) Parsons student designer Jessica Tan, athlete Alfred Ha, athlete Larissa Walker, photographer Nigel Barker, athlete Daniel Fletcher, Parsons student designer Weijing Xiao, and athlete Janissa Lloyd.
“I am a respected person and athlete.”
- Daniel Fletcher
Long Island native Daniel Fletcher, dubbed “Mr. USA” at powerlifting events, is a Special Olympics superstar. He began participating in the Special Olympics Youth Athletes program at just 5 years old. Apart from powerlifting, Fletcher also competes in track and field, baseball, softball, bowling, and floor hockey.
Fletcher says his sports career has taught him invaluable life lessons.
“I have learned courage, loyalty, team play, and that I am strong inside and out,” says Fletcher. “I have also learned that I can make my dreams come true!”
Photos by Nigel Barker
“This gives athletes like me a voice in the uniforms we are going to wear.”
- Alfred Ha
Volleyball and softball champion Alfred Ha has been a Special Olympics athlete for over 18 years. The Upper East Sider has won 10 gold medals during his athletic career and doesn’t plan on stopping there.
According to Ha, the Be Brave design team focused on his specific needs as an athlete.
“What we like isn’t always the same as everyone else,” says Ha about athletic wear. “This class gave us the chance to have a design that worked for us.”
Photos by Nigel Barker
“You better take me seriously on the field.”
- Larissa Walker
Bronx-based athlete Larissa Walker isn’t afraid of a challenge. Walker has earned over 35 gold medals in volleyball, basketball, and softball.
Walker says that competing in Special Olympics has injected her with the confidence necessary to battle life’s woes.
“When people let you down over and over, it’s frustrating,” says Walker. “I no longer let people take advantage of me.”
Photos by Nigel Barker
“I am a CHAMPION!”
- Janissa Lloyd
Special Olympic athlete and renegade fashionista Janissa Lloyd represents her Long Island hometown of Islip, New York. She competes in basketball, floor hockey, softball throw, and track and field.
For Lloyd, the Be Brave campaign has a purpose that reaches beyond the fashion realm; it brings up important topics surrounding accessibility for disabled individuals.
“It feels like someone finally understands the importance of inclusion,” says Lloyd.
“Unless you try, unless you get out there, unless you go out on a limb, unless you ‘be brave’, you’re not going to see change. ”
Photographer Nigel Barker says he teamed up with the “Be Brave” campaign because he believes it’s changing the future of fashion.
“You normally design, perhaps, for one sector of society,” said Barker in this interview.
“These designs are not just for Special Olympic athletes; I can wear them, YOU can wear them, we can ALL wear them. This is truly inclusive, and that, I think, is what is so magical about this.”