MCLEAN, VA — Cheers filled the McLean Old Firehouse on Friday as adults with severe and multiple disabilities took to the runway wearing one-of-a-kind fashions they spent the past six months designing and sewing themselves.
The fashion show, hosted by the nonprofit SPARC, showcased original garments created by participants from the organization's five Northern Virginia centers in McLean, Reston, Arlington, Alexandria and Leesburg. The clothing was designed as part of a months-long art therapy project that taught participants how to use adaptive sewing equipment to transform donated clothing into original wearable art.
The project began in January under the direction of SPARC Art Therapist Nicky Sullivan, who introduced participants to sewing before challenging them to create original fashions from repurposed thrift-store clothing.
"We started from scratch," Sullivan told Patch.
Participants first learned the fundamentals of sewing, including quilting, cutting fabric, making different stitches and loading sewing machines before advancing to increasingly complex projects.
"They cut them up and made designs out of them, and then sewed them from scratch, which was truly incredible," Sullivan said.
The idea grew from her experience using sewing as an art therapy tool while in graduate school, where she discovered how adaptable sewing machines could be for people with disabilities.
"Sewing machines are inherently adaptable," she said. "All you have to do is press a pedal, and it goes."
The participants quickly surpassed her expectations.
"These guys are always impressing me. They can do literally anything," Sullivan said.
The project became as much about confidence as craftsmanship.
"I wish I could bubble up the joy that was in the rooms when we finished any one of the items," Sullivan said. "They were so proud of themselves."
About 73 participants from SPARC's five centers contributed to the project in some way, although each center selected several featured pieces for Friday's runway show. Participants modeled the clothing alongside staff members and aides before an audience of family members, supporters and local officials.
Kat Rader, SPARC's program director, said the project gave participants the opportunity to discover abilities many never knew they had.
"It has totally empowered them," Rader said. "A lot of them never thought they'd be able to sew. It's just been really empowering for them."
Participants began by selecting secondhand clothing before redesigning and reconstructing each garment into a unique fashion piece using adaptive sewing machines.
Rader said every participant at SPARC's centers played a role in the project, whether helping create a featured garment or supporting the effort behind the scenes.
"That was awesome," Supervisor Jimmy Bierman (D-Dranesville) said, immediately folllowing Friday's fashion show. "Empowerment, accessibility, excitement, creativity, all combined in one-the best of what SPARC does, and the best of these remarkable individuals who are SPARC participants."
SPARC provides social day programs for adults with severe and multiple disabilities who have aged out of public school special education services. According to Rader, participants generally require one-on-one support and attend with their own aides while SPARC staff lead activities focused on creativity, recreation and community engagement.
Unlike vocational programs, SPARC's focus is on providing meaningful social experiences and lifelong learning opportunities. Participants take part in activities ranging from cooking and gardening to music, art, 3D printing and community outings, with the fashion project becoming one of the organization's largest collaborative efforts to date.
Rader said SPARC also offers need-based scholarships and does not turn participants away because of an inability to pay.
For Sullivan, the runway show represented far more than a display of clothing.
Looking over the finished designs before participants stepped onto the catwalk, she said what stood out most was the creativity each group brought to the same assignment.
"They did a fantastic job," Sullivan said. "They put so much thought into every single aspect."
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