Historic Collaboration at Copenhagen Fashion Week: Hair & Care and Sinead O’Dwyer Champion Fashion Accessibility

Fashion Week is a time for innovation, creativity, and setting new trends in the industry. This year, Copenhagen Fashion Week 2024 broke new ground, setting a precedent for inclusivity and accessibility in an industry often criticized for its exclusivity. A groundbreaking partnership between Hair & Care and Irish designer Sinead O’Dwyer, supported by Easydry, not only showcased stunning fashion but also highlighted the importance of accessibility and inclusivity within the fashion world.

A Historic Moment for Inclusivity: Lucy Edwards’ Debut

For the first time ever at Copenhagen Fashion Week, a blind model took to the runway. Lucy Edwards, a renowned broadcaster, disability activist, and content creator, walked the runway with her guide dog, Miss Molly. This moment was significant because it marked Lucy as the first blind model to walk at Copenhagen Fashion Week. Her presence on the runway serves as a powerful reminder of the fashion industry’s growing commitment to inclusivity and the importance of accessibility in Fashion.

Anne Cofone, Lucy Edwards and guide dog Miss Molly at Copenhagen Fashion Week| Source Hair & Care | Photography: Alberte Norgaard

Hair & Care CIC: Empowering the Blind and Low Vision Community

Hair & Care, led by founder Anna Cofone, played a crucial role in ensuring that Lucy’s experience was both safe and empowering. They arranged accessible travel and provided detailed runway rehearsals with a movement director. This thoughtful planning underscored Hair & Care’s mission to make beauty and fashion accessible to everyone.

Founded in 2019 by Anna Cofone, Hair & Care CIC is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting blind and low vision women and young girls through the exploration of hair care. They offer monthly workshops, providing a safe and supportive environment where attendees can learn hair care fundamentals, connect with others, and boost their self-esteem and confidence.

Hair & Care’s mission is threefold: to empower and educate blind and low vision women and girls, to upskill hair industry professionals in making their services more accessible, and to create lasting change in the industry by improving inclusivity and accessibility. This commitment ensures that the blind and low vision community can enjoy hair care as a form of self-care and personal expression.

Making Fashion Accessible to All

In addition to styling models, Hair & Care partnered with the Danish Association of the Blind to ensure that blind and low vision guests could fully experience the show. These guests received pre-recorded audio descriptions of each look, detailing the colours, fabrics, and designs. Tactile fabric swatches were also available, allowing guests to physically feel the materials being presented on the runway. This innovative approach made the fashion show accessible to all, regardless of visual ability.

Easydry’s Role in Promoting Sustainability and Inclusivity

Building on the successful collaboration between Hair & Care and Easydry at London Fashion Week earlier this year, Easydry proudly supported another history-making event. We provided our biodegradable hair towels backstage, used for the hair styling in Sinead O’Dwyer’s show. The hairstyle, inspired by the vibrant summer atmosphere of Copenhagen, featured clean, minimalistic looks with a 90s vibe. Blown-out, hydrated hair with natural movement and a middle parting tucked behind the ears perfectly complemented O’Dwyer’s SS25 collection. Authentic Beauty Concept, who Anna is the Global Creative Advocate for, also provided product support for the event.

Easydry’s eco-friendly towels not only supported the stunning hairstyles but also reflected our commitment to sustainable practices in the fashion industry.

Backstage at Copenhagen Fashion Week at Sinead O'Dwyer's Show | Source Hair & Care | Photography: Alberte Norgaard

Sinead O’Dwyer: Redefining Luxury Fashion

Sinead O’Dwyer launched her London-based label in 2018 and is known for her unorthodox designs that challenge traditional beauty standards and accommodate non-sample-size bodies. Her work emphasizes that luxury fashion should be inclusive and accessible to all, challenging conventional norms of body image. With her innovative approach, Sinead O’Dwyer is redefining luxury fashion to be more inclusive and diverse.

Zalando Visionary Award and Copenhagen Fashion Week

Sinead O’Dwyer’s debut at Copenhagen Fashion Week comes after her recent win of Zalando’s Visionary Award. This award celebrates designers who are not only creative and innovative but also committed to making a positive social impact. Copenhagen Fashion Week is renowned as the biggest fashion week in Northern Europe, with a strong emphasis on sustainability.

Looking Forward: Easydry’s Commitment to Sustainability and Inclusivity

Easydry is proud to have been part of this groundbreaking event, which aligns with our values of sustainability and inclusivity. As we continue to champion these principles, we invite you to join us on this journey towards a more accessible and eco-conscious fashion industry. We look forward to future collaborations that continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible in the fashion world, ensuring that hair, beauty, and style are accessible to everyone.

Credits (& Where to find everyone!)

Designer: @sjodwyer

Hair: @annacofone @hairandcareproject @authenticbeautyconcept @loveeasydry

Model: @lucyedwardsofficial

Photography: @albeeertee

Movement: @gracebnicol

Casting:@emmamatell

Check out the previous Easydry and Hair & Care Collaboration