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Catwalk of life: Unique Russian modelling school transform lives of women with special needs

A modelling school for people with special needs has gone from strength to strength, thanks to its inspirational founder's determination to change the way society views the disabled.
The Modelling School for People with Special Needs in Tomsk, Siberia, held its third casting session last month and attendance was the highest yet.
The pioneering college is the brainchild of accountant Irina Dorokhova, who suffered a serious car accident in 2007 which took a year and a half of medical treatment to get over and left her needing a wheelchair to get around.
The school's founder Irina Dorokhova suffered a serious car accident in 2007 which took a year and a half of medical treatment to get over
Inspiration: Founder of the Modelling School for People with Special Needs Irina Dorokhova
Ms Dorokhova managed to return to an active life but realised that before her crash she had rarely even considered special needs people and the difficulties they face.
She was inspired to start a modelling school after a trip to a fashion festival where she experienced some particularly negative and upsetting views from some of the models.
 

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She told the Siberian Times: 'When we were at Novosibirsk Fashion Week, we were the only people with disabilities there and it was very sad and offensive to hear the 'real' models saying something like "What is this circus?" "What do disabled people do here?"
'In our country we still have a very special - if not to say negative - attitude to people with special needs. They are left outside society, left alone, and feel not needed by anyone'.
After returning to Tomsk, Ms Dorokhova decided to dedicate her life to helping people with special needs by opening up new opportunities and encouraging them integrate more into society. 
She added: 'The idea to get a school for models with special needs came to me after participating in a fashion designers' contest called "Special Fashion", organised with the support of our regional public movement 'Divo','
Pupils at the modelling school show of their moves. Mastering the catwalk helps them to boost their confidence and develop essential communication skills
Pupils at the modelling school show off their moves at a show. Mastering the catwalk helps to boost their confidence and develop essential communication skills
Three students pose for a picture at a fashion show. The school in Tomsk Russia, is the only one of its type in the whole country
Three students pose for a picture at a fashion show. The school in Tomsk Russia, is the only one of its type in the whole country
'All participants liked the idea of creating a 'special' fashion for people with special needs. The contest was not only about style and beauty - it helped people to meet and talk to each other, to feel special and unique - which they certainly are.
'When we started searching for models for the fashion show we saw that there was a lack of professionals in this sphere in Russia. I'm not talking about Moscow, there are more fashion shows for people with disabilities there, but in Siberia in particular there were none.'
With help from friends and relatives Ms Dorokhova opened the school in the spring of 2012. It is the first school of its type in Russia and offers free three month-courses.
All ages are welcome. One of her students is an eight year-old-child, another a 54-year-old woman. The three hour classes are held on Sundays.
As well as practising their moves down the catwalk, the students also get to study acting and psychology. They are helped by a team of professional stylists and photographers.
In November 2012, the school presented a collection of evening gowns at Novosibirsk a Fashion Week in and later participated at Moscow Fashion Week.
Ms Dorokhova aims to teach not only a sense of style but also essential personality and leadership skills.
Through learning about fashion and the catwalk she believes pupils develop the art of communication and the ability to present themselves.
Ms Dorokhova opened the school in the spring of 2012. Lessons are free and attendance has boomed
Ms Dorokhova opened the school in the spring of 2012. Lessons are free and attendance has boomed
All ages are welcome - one of the students is an eight year-old-child, another a 54-year-old woman
All ages are welcome - one of the students is an eight year-old-child, another a 54-year-old woman
One of the students at the Modelling School for People with Special Needs in Tomsk, Russia
Founder Irina Dorokhova said many people in Russia still heave very negative attitudes towards people with special needs, but she feels it is slowly beginning to change
Founder Irina Dorokhova said many people in Russia still heave very negative attitudes towards people with special needs, but she feels it is slowly beginning to change
One of her students, 21-year-old Olga, has become a professional model and, in addition to working at fashion shows, she also runs computer classes and English classes for people with special needs.
Another pupil, Oleg, 40 had been in a car accident 40 years ago and is a wheelchair user.
Attending the school helped boost his confidence to the level that he began working for an NGO and now is an instructor in a swimming pool.
Ms Dorokhova added: 'These people got confidence and the props to move on with their life and help other people with special needs.'
'I'm very proud of our students.'
Ms Dorokhova's work was recognised when she was given an award for the 'Siberian Spirit' in the 'Siberian of the Year' contest, something she believes shows that attitudes to special needs people in Russia are finally beginning to change.
She added: 'Society overall might not be ready to accept people with special needs yet but this is changing and I'm very glad about it. That means that the work we do is not in vain'.
Inspiration: Founder of the Modelling School for People with Special Needs Irina Dorokhova
Ordeal: Ms Dorokhova suffered a serious car accident in 2007 which took a year and a half of medical treatment to get over

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