February, 2019
E: richard@portisheadvoice.co.uk
n NEWS
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Bridal shop applauded for wheelchair window display When the owners of a Portishead bridal boutique placed a wheelchair using mannequin in their shop window, they never thought that it would make headlines across the world. A photo of The White Collection’s shop window, in Portishead High Street, went viral after local artist Beth Wilson took to Twitter to share her surprise of seeing the wheelchair. Beth, who is disabled and has used a wheelchair for five years, tweeted: “The new wedding shop in town has a wheelchair using mannequin and it shouldn’t be exciting but it’s the first time I’ve ever seen disability portrayed in a shop window.” The Portishead bridal store, which only opened in October last year as an extension of its original shop in Clevedon, is owned by sisters Sarah Parker and Laura Allen. Speaking to the Portisheadvoice, Sarah said: “The response has been absolutely crazy, we’re just a small shop in a small town, but it just highlights
Co-owner of TWC Sarah Parker with local resident Beth Wilson
Photo courtesy of Beth Wilson
what a surprise this has been to a lot of people. “It does makes you wonder why there’s not permanent displays of wheelchair using mannequins in big shopping streets such as Oxford Street. “What we did was in no way a publicity stunt, but we’re pleased that it’s received the attention it has and we’re really hoping that
others follow suit.” Sarah says that the shop has received lots of messages from engaged wheelchair users, saying how pleased they were to see a bridal mannequin in a wheelchair. Sarah added: “Many have said that they can never envision what clothes would look like on them, because all mannequins
are stood up.” Beth, who lives in Portishead, said that the display made her feel ‘represented’. She said: “So often disabled people feel invisible because we don’t see ourselves in the media much and especially not modelling beautiful clothes. “Twenty percent of the population is disabled in some way, it’s about time we see that reflected in media, advertising, everything!” Beth also commended the shop for decorating the chair. She added: “Mobility aids are often portrayed as negative things that people want to hide when actual mobility aids like wheelchairs give us freedom. It’s great that they decorated the chair rather than try and hide it away. “I don’t need a wedding dress (already married and don’t wear dresses) but if I did, I’d definitely be far happier about going to a shop where I knew that I’d be accepted, wheelchair and all.”
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