Fashions for 'Everybody'

By Mary DeRubeis

Teen correspondent

BACK TO SCHOOL - a time when tweens and teens get a fresh start. New classes. New teachers. New clothes.

And especially new styles.

That's where MacArthur Mall comes in.

At center court Saturday, the mall in downtown Norfolk will host a back-to-school fashion show for "everyBODY," as the show's promotional material says.

This fashion show, though, isn't just about giving tips on stylish dressing options for the average tween or teen. There will be tips and options for people with physical disabilities and limitations.

Rachel Fiel, 16, is one such person.

Although she doesn't have a physical handicap, Rachel is dyslexic and said she loves what the show is doing for people with physical disabilities and limitations.

She said her dyslexia doesn't make her different or affect her personality as a confident teen.

Plus, Rachel said, she's excited to be in the show because "I've always wanted to be a model, but I thought I was too short."

Rachel got involved with the event through its sponsor and producer, Stephanie Thomas, also known as the "PJ Deejay," who last year wore nothing but pajamas to raise awareness about the difficulties people in wheelchairs face when finding fashionable clothes.

The 95.7 R&B radio personality also is the chief executive officer of APOSH (Accessible/Smart/Fashionable), a disability fashion consulting firm.

Thomas is a role model for kids, said Rachel, who met Thomas at a youth leadership forum.

As for Rachel's being in the fashion show, she's all set. The rising junior at King's Fork High School in Suffolk is being outfitted by bebe.

When she walked into the store to be fitted, she was greeted by two helpful salespeople, she said.

"It was super nice," Rachel said. "It was all about fitting to my body style."

Physical disabilities and limitations should never take away a person's confidence in what they wear, Rachel said.

"It takes a lot of confidence for these kids to talk about their disabilities and to model in a fashion show."

Mary DeRubeis, a rising junior at Salem High School in Virginia Beach