In a first-of-its-kind fashion show near Chicago, ten blind and visually impaired models took to the runway to show that fashion is not just something you see, but something you feel.

The event, organized by the Beautiful Lives Project, brought together models who selected their outfits by touch and sound, guided by personal preference and texture rather than visual appearance. Stylists described colors, fabrics, and cuts aloud while models used their hands to feel patterns, weights, and shapes.

“Textures mean something,” said event co-founder Bryce Weiler, who has been blind since birth. “Good fashion feels like the textures that send tingling sensations through your fingers.”

Most had never modeled before, but that did not stop them from owning the runway. One sang, another danced, and many wore outfits that reflected their individual style.

The show’s organizer, 16-year-old Aria Holtzman, said her goal was simple. “Everyone deserves the chance to express themselves, and fashion should be for all bodies and abilities.”

This event showed how reimagining access can lead to new forms of creativity. Organizers hope it is just the beginning of a more inclusive world of fashion.

This article has information from the NBC and Chicago Tribune.