Clara Holmes’ trajectory into a career as a model has been nothing short of fate. On 14th May 2017, the London born fashionista was out in East London with her partner, all dressed up following a family do. It was exactly a year since Clara started her lifestyle blog Rollin Funky, which she set up to challenge stereotypes about black disabled women like herself.
The couple had wanted to go for drinks in Stratford, however they missed the train. Her other half suggested they go to Canary Wharf instead so off they went and as they were coming out of the Tube station, the pair were chased down the street by two women. It turned out they were from the disabled modelling agency Zebedie Management, and they wanted Clara to come for a test shoot. Within a day she was signed and she hasn’t looked back since.
Clara, who is now 41 and lives with her boyfriend in Notting Hill, has always found fashion to be therapy for her. After a Jetset career in the travel industry during her early 20s, Clara’s health began to deteriorate. She was rendered wheelchair bound by 25 and was diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, often called EDS, a condition that causes severe pain and affects the joints, skin and blood vessels.
“I became very depressed because I have always been very outgoing and a party girl and the things I loved to do like travel seemed impossible to me," she said. “Fashion was a way of slowly re-connecting with the old Clara. Being in a plain black wheelchair, I started to wear more bright colours and prints. The clothes instantly lifted my mood and my confidence.”
Years after her diagnosis, in her mid 30s, Clara and her partner finally decided to try going for a short trip to Barcelona. It was the first holiday abroad she’d been on since becoming wheelchair bound, and the weekend away completely changed her outlook.
“I began travelling again and going on cruises, and it was around that time I decided to start the blog,” she explained. “When my health was really bad I searched the internet for blogs but I couldn’t really find anything positive. It was all very medical, like the disability takes over your life and defines you. I wanted to show people that having a disability doesn’t change who you are as a person. And so I just started writing about my girl about town antics and posting photos of my outfits on Instagram.”
Her social following quickly grew, and a year later she was signed to Zebedie Management. During her time at the agency, she modelled for a number of big names, including the lingerie brand Curvy Kate and Sainsburys and she even starred in a TV ad for Public Health England with Prince Harry.
In the summer of 2020, she decided to leave Zebedie and go it alone. Being black, disabled and female, Clara says she may tick the diversity boxes for brands, but she is “there to do a job”.
“I don’t want brands to work with me so they look good, I want them to work with me because they think I look good and because they truly believe I fit the brand image,” she said. “When applying for castings, I don’t just go for the ones specifically looking for a disabled model. I go to whichever ones I think I am right for.”
On the whole, Clara says her experience with brands has been positive, especially her latest project with Tesco F&F. The influencer and model began working with Tesco late last year, designing and choosing her own collection. Clara is the first disabled influencer to create a collection with a mainstream brand.
“I couldn’t believe it when they asked me” she said. “I just kept saying ‘this is amazing that I am one of the first disabled fashion bloggers to do this’. And Tesco were like ‘no it’s amazing because you’re amazing and we love your style'.”
The summer collection, which was shot in Malaga, features swimsuits, bikinis and capsule pieces for the season, all encompassing Clara’s love of mood enhancing bright colours and bold prints. It was released on June 23 this year and has had a massive reaction from her followers. While many pieces are sold out, there are still some available to buy online and in-store at Tesco and Next.Read more at:princess prom dresses uk | red prom dresses uk
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