Guided By Humanity is set to return to Denver Fashion Week (DFW) this spring to host the widely anticipated Adaptive Night on May 12. This runway event places a spotlight on accessibility, empowerment, and genuine representation within the fashion industry. The nonprofit organization, founded on the belief that every body and every ability deserves radically inclusive and equitable health and wellness care, has been active since 2017. Through its holistic services — including yoga classes, support groups, and community workshops — the organization supports individuals of all abilities.
At DFW, Guided By Humanity is taking on a dual role as host and contributor, unveiling two unique collections. One is a collaborative effort with designer Andrea Fischer, while the other showcases their in-house accessible athleisure line, everyBODY. These will be featured alongside designs from Quana Madison and SKYEAIRE, contributing to a vibrant, inclusive fashion narrative. The organization is driven by its founder and executive director Mary Medellin Sims, whose advocacy work centers on community-led programming and inclusive representation.
According to Sims, the upcoming Spring 2025 Adaptive Show is fundamentally rooted in love — for the community, for inclusion, and for the richness of diversity. The event is about affirming belonging, transforming the runway into a place of joy, pride, and authenticity. Through adaptive fashion, Guided By Humanity aims to celebrate power, creativity, and individuality. Their mission is to deliver a powerful message: every person is worthy, beautiful, and rightfully belongs in every space, including fashion.
This season’s show marks a significant evolution from previous editions. A major new feature is a partnership with Jansport, which has provided adaptive backpacks and crossbody bags to be showcased by designers. This collaboration highlights how adaptive design is not limited to clothing but extends to functional, everyday items. The thematic shift from “Inclusive” to “Adaptive” underscores the intentional focus on practicality, innovation, and the unique needs of real people — a fashion philosophy grounded in enhancing daily life for all, not just a select few.
Unlike in the past, this year’s event pushes past the concept of inclusion to embrace the idea that fashion should be inherently designed with all bodies in mind. The Adaptive Night is not only about visibility but about prioritizing accessibility and style together. Guided By Humanity will continue this dialogue at their upcoming “Strut and Roll” event on April 26 at Brewability, where everyBODY model Kate Nelson, the first wheelchair user to roll down the DFW runway, will lead a discussion. Fashion expert Brandi McMichael will also share insights on building runway confidence, accompanied by a practice runway session for models of all experiences.
The event is shaped by more than just its designers. A dedicated advisory council — composed of individuals with lived experience — plays a key role in guiding the structure and spirit of the show. Their input has shaped decisions ranging from venue layout to sensory-friendly accommodations, reinforcing the message that this show is created with, not just for, the disability community. Even marketing language has been tailored based on the council’s feedback to ensure that it reflects dignity, accuracy, and respect.
Sims also seeks to dispel persistent myths about adaptive fashion. One common misconception is that such fashion is only for individuals with disabilities, or that it must be plain and utilitarian. In truth, adaptive fashion is designed for everyone, with a focus on comfort, dignity, and expressive freedom. It serves to honor diverse bodies, support various ways of navigating the world, and cater to personal needs. When clothing is created with people in mind from the start, it becomes more intuitive, accessible, and empowering. Adaptive fashion can be bold, elegant, or edgy — whatever the wearer desires — and it challenges outdated notions about functionality and aesthetics being mutually exclusive.
To truly move toward universal accessibility, Sims believes the fashion industry must commit to meaningful systemic changes. This includes elevating disabled voices across all stages of production and design, expanding traditional beauty standards, and prioritizing function without sacrificing form. Features like magnetic closures, easy dressing, and sensory-friendly fabrics should be standard, not niche. Accessibility must also extend beyond clothing to include retail environments, such as accessible dressing rooms, inclusive websites, and environments welcoming to all sensory needs.
Ultimately, universal accessibility represents a form of love in practice — a recognition that everyone has the right to feel seen, comfortable, and confident. The fashion industry has both the opportunity and obligation to broaden its heart and vision to include all forms of expression and embodiment.
For Sims and Guided By Humanity, the Adaptive Night is much more than a showcase of garments. It is a celebration of shared humanity, an affirmation of belonging, and a rallying cry for greater compassion and inclusion. Through their community-centered approach, they strive to uplift those often pushed to the margins and to create environments where people with disabilities can thrive.
This year’s show will serve as a dynamic expression of that mission — a night where models reclaim space, voices are amplified, and everyone involved leaves feeling seen, heard, and connected. Guided By Humanity hopes to inspire lasting change, proving that when fashion opens its doors to everyone, it becomes a transformative force not just for style, but for society.
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