Philadelphia (CBS) — Nancy Volpe Bellinger is a local Philadelphia designer who is breaking down barriers in the fashion industry. She is driven to make her business inclusive.
Her latest line, called The Vault by Nancy Volpe Berringer, is the first luxury designer resale shop to offer complementary and adaptive designs for people with disabilities.
Bellinger and her brand want to help change the fashion industry by promoting more inclusive and adaptable design while remaining sustainable in second-hand luxury.
Anyone can purchase a piece on the line, but for those with disabilities, Bellinger schedules a free meeting to find out how to tailor that particular piece to their needs.
Bellinger found his vocation later in life. When she was 61, she enrolled in the fashion program at Drexel University, where she graduated at the top of her class and won a record number of awards for her graduation collection.
At 64, Bellinger was the oldest designer to appear on the reality series Project Runway. She took advantage of her final challenge to showcase an accessible look and became the runner-up for the 2020 season.
Bellinger is also one of ten female entrepreneurs shaping the fashion industry and society with innovative solutions through Fashion Impact Fun Week and the Conscious Fashion Campaign, an initiative of the Fashion Impact Fund. Approved.
Makeup artist and model Jessica Lewis, who was born with arthrogryposis, says Bellinger is leading the way.
“We deserve high fashion, we deserve accessibility and adaptive high fashion, and Nancy is doing it.
Ruiz remembers having limited clothing choices in her life and hopes The Vault will resonate with all designers.
“For me, being able to have something I can wear myself gives me a whole new sense of independence,” Lewis said.
