This week, Peta chats with Rosie Anderson, an ambulatory wheelchair user, model, and advocate for inclusivity in fashion.
Rosie shares her experiences navigating the modelling industry with a disability, from tokenism to authentic representation, openly embracing her feeding tube and championing accessible sets. She sheds light on what true inclusivity looks like and the meaningful changes still needed in today’s media landscape.
Join us as we explore fashion inclusivity, disability representation, and the push for a more inclusive future in fashion.
Connect with Rosie:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_rosieanderson/
Book Rosie via Zebedee Talent: https://www.zebedeetalent.com/aus/mainboard/she/
Connect with Peta:
Instagram: @petahooke
Website: www.icantstandpodcast.com
Email: icantstandpodcast@gmail.com
Episode Transcript:
Peta [00:00:03] Hello and welcome to The I Can't Stand Podcast. The podcast answering your questions on what life is like when you have a disability. My name is Peta. I have cerebral palsy and I'm your host this week. I have the amazing Rosie Anderson. Rosie is a model. She's an ambulant wheelchair user. And I was really keen to hear her perspective of what it's like to work in an industry that doesn't necessarily see us as consumers and understand us when interacting with us. We, of course because it's me talk clothes a little bit, but we also talk about the importance of good access, inclusion, representation and feeling a part of an industry rather than a token. I hope you enjoy this episode, because I certainly did enjoy talking to Rosie. So without any further ado, let's get into it.
Rosie [00:01:19] Yeah. My name's Rosie Anderson. I'm an ambulatory wheelchair user, and I'm also a model with CBD talent. So my primary job is I work in the renewable energy sector and then my advocacy work pairs with my my modelling. So I've been doing that for about two and a half years now. And it's just been it's just been wonderful.
Peta [00:01:46] That's so fantastic to hear. And I'm a bit of a broken record. I talk about the importance of disability representation basically every week on this podcast, and I'm sure this conversation is going to be no different. But I want to start, first and foremost, what drew you to the world of fashion and modelling?
Rosie [00:02:05] I never envisioned that I would become a model. I've never been a very confident person in in that regard. I was always confident in Seattle, where I was pretending to be someone else, but but never Rosey. And I got scouted through Instagram. A friend who was signed shared something on this story. And of course, I thought it was a scam because, like, it's Instagram. But but turned out it was real. And that was when I kind of thought, maybe there's something here. Because a few years prior to that, Carly Findley hosted the first ever all disabled Melbourne Fashion Week show called Access to Fashion. And I was honoured to be a part of that. But I'd never seen a wheelchair user properly integrated into the Melbourne fashion scene, which was terrifying to think maybe I will. Maybe I'll all into that space.
Peta [00:03:10] When I was younger, I never saw myself illustrated in beauty standards. So it's fantastic to have people like yourself opening up what beauty is and what beauty can be, not only for disabled people watching you, but the greater public. I think it's really, really important. What was your perception of what it would be like before you entered it? Did you feel hesitant? Did you feel confident? How did you feel?
Rosie [00:03:36] Yeah, I was really concerned with the fact that. I would be a token that any job, I guess, is because I have mobility aids. Not because of me and my wonderful mentor at the time. You know, she's she's in Los Angeles. She's in that world of entertainment. So, like surrounded by it. And I asked her, how do you reconcile the fact that they want you for the wheelchair and not for yourself? And she kind of said, look, number one, you could use the money. Number two, representation is still good representation. And lastly, just do such a good job that they're going to go, shoot next time. Hi. For Rosie, not the wheelchair. And I've definitely felt that shift as I've been doing more jobs. And in the same more people known me as Rosie. They don't know me as wheelchair user number three.
Peta [00:04:39] So true and I'm so happy that's the case because you are really good at your job and you're very memorable. Like disabled people, we're used to being memorable in some ways. I used to think it was my unique selling point that I was so memorable for you in particular. Really memorable. Thinking about where you were and where you are now. Has your perception of what the fashion industry is actually like to work in changed, or do you still find it difficult and sometimes feel like you are taken even though none of us listening to this podcast certainly think that or want that?
Rosie [00:05:15] Thank you. It's look, it's both. And I think to a certain extent it will always be based. I often feel that people with a disability tend to get typecast. As for myself, maybe along the lines of fun happy aunt rather than. No, I. I'm beyond that. I'm actually I'm recently a wife. I have two successful careers. I have a degree behind me in psychology, like we're serious people. We do serious things. And I think that that token type cost mentality does still exist today. It's something that I've been noticing more as of late. With social media's rise. It's so saturated with this so-called perfection that people are searching for authenticity. And I think we see that in media. The rise of Tik Tok and low quality videos. People are searching for something tangible. It's not people who look perfect, whether they're disabled or not. It's people with pale skin or blemishes or crooked teeth. People want that tangibility of representation in all forms beyond just being a wheelchair user or things like that.
Peta [00:06:38] I have to say, I was giggling to myself and I don't know whether it will come across in my audio, but I always get going because I do feel like people see me as the fun part. And look, I'm happy with that. It's a nice role to have. But I would love to speak to you and question without notice, but I would love to speak to you about the perception of disability actually being sexy. And I think it's really a frontier that we need to push forward. I'd love to hear your perspective.
Rosie [00:07:07] Yes, that's certainly a shift that I've noticed in the last, I would say two years. There's been some major campaigns to show where sexy, like when not just being a fun, happy aunt is actually one of my greatest joys. My beautiful little little ones running around. But we are sexy. Victoria's Secret did a campaign with Grace Kelly's from a model in New York, who's a wheelchair user and I think it's Hannah is is featuring in the SBS show which is coming out soon which shows about disabled relationships in a sexy, authentic way. I think it's tied to the notion that. If disabled people aren't just being happy and inspirational, then we don't really want to talk about it. We don't really want to acknowledge the really crappy parts of it and the inaccessible world and. People who aren't, you know, who have disabilities and which is living normal lives. You know, we we don't all need to be Paralympians.
Peta [00:08:17] Correct? Yeah. And it's so true what you say. And I can't wait to watch Hannity Vinny's show either. I think it'll be really great. But you spoke about big campaigns. And the Victoria's Secret campaign just said one of the biggest campaigns I've ever seen you win was go to skincare, which is such an amazing brand to be a part of. How did it feel to be represented in such a mainstream way? Did you feel an impact and was your presence sort of positively felt on the shoot? What was that experience like?
Rosie [00:08:54] It was really surreal because it it was such a major campaign. I was like, I don't know what I'm doing. And I didn't even know how to use half the skincare products that they were getting me to use at the time. But it was really lovely to arrive at a set as big as that. And be equal with the other models in terms of what we were actually doing in showcasing the products. My wheelchair didn't come into it in any way, shape or form in discussion, apart from accessibility to set. But at the forefront was Rosie. And for a campaign as big as that, that was just. Words can't explain. And that was early in my career as well. So I was quite shocked that they were willing to give me that chance.
Peta [00:09:52] It's such an amazing thing. And yeah, it makes me so happy. I think I don't want to diminish the importance of disability representation, but overall, when I do see a disabled person, you know, kicking goals, particularly career wise because I'm so reminded, it just makes me so happy to be like them, right? Rosie seen this campaign. She deserves to be there, you know?
Rosie [00:10:17] Yeah, absolutely. And I think that that was one of the things was that at the time, I didn't I didn't have the confidence yet because it was early on, I didn't feel that. That I did deserve to be there as opposed to now when I feel. I suppose it's outside of disability. That side that's with any new career, you feel you have to earn your stripes and and prove yourself. If it was to come around now, I would be like, That's amazing. Let's go. Let's show you that disabled people use skincare. West Sexy. We're multifaceted.
Peta [00:10:57] Yeah, absolutely. I totally agree with you. You've already touched on my next question, which gives me a great way to sort of move on the subject. But I want to talk to you about what makes a good accessible set. So if there are people listening today who are part of the marketing fashion industry or any creative industry that have talent, quote unquote, talent come on set. What, for you, in your opinion, is a good, accessible, inclusive six?
Rosie [00:11:28] Willingness to listen to what our needs are and to to work the problem. Because the reality is, if it's if it's a on site shift, it will be difficult for them to accommodate. But it is part of hiring disabled talent. So we have an access rider, which is a quite comprehensive document that goes through what your access needs are and can be sent to them. And there's always a phone call or two before the day that there was one shoot where I didn't think it was very well thought out. The the bathroom wasn't an accessible bathroom. And I'm luckily an ambulatory wheelchair user. So I was able to walk from the door to the bathroom. But I did have that moment of if it wasn't me or if it's someone who uses a power chair, it's a vastly different story.
Peta [00:12:27] Yeah, for sure. Like somebody in my position, I wouldn't be able to go to the loo. And, you know, it's not very chic to be busting for the loo. It must be very hard to make your face look beautiful when you're busting for the loo. So everybody deserves to have good access and be able to use the loo when at work.
Rosie [00:12:46] Absolutely. And I think that is something that I've noticed is the industry as a whole is a lot more. Accepting and willing for manual wheelchair users. I think they've got quite a way to go for the people with electric wheelchairs. They're not prepared for it. And that is a massive learning curve I think the industry still needs to go through.
Peta [00:13:16] Like, obviously you're a very busy person. As you've already touched on, you're very accomplished. And you know, you do lots of amazing things. As many people I've had on this podcast do. How do you manage the day to day life as far as like fatigue, mental health and all the physical demands that modelling does put on your body in relation to your disability?
Rosie [00:13:41] It's quite a juggling act, one which is is certainly not yet perfected because I do have my my primary job in marketing in the renewable energy sector, which which is a 9 to 5. So thankfully, that is a balance of work from home and work in the office. It's really challenging to be honest. I think about what we need because we don't want to be perceived as negative or too much trouble. But I think that if people are willing to work with you, then they'll respect it. Because I found when I haven't been honest and suffer in silence, the fallout isn't worth the uncomfortableness that would have come with with speaking up in the first place. At one time or another, I'll probably hop out of my wheelchair and lay on the floor with my legs up on the seat or stretch or just do whatever I need to do to feel my best self. With regards to mental health. It's therapy because being disabled is is really challenging and there's a lot of trauma that that comes with navigating the world and the experiences of the health care system. So therapy and my faith in the Lord gets me through. On shoot days. I have my phone with me when I stop feeling like I don't belong. I message my husband. My mom. A friend. And just touch base with someone who knows my work, knows that I should be there and can encourage me to just stay present, not catastrophize. Just be. And I think leaning into your support network on high stress job days and in general is it's vital.
Peta [00:15:39] You mentioned there that you reach out to your loved ones, which I certainly do when I'm feeling overwhelmed. That really resonates with me. But you said there and I don't know whether it was a floating slip that you're often you often feel like you're alone on set. Does that mean that often you're the only person with an obvious disability on set?
Rosie [00:16:03] Yes. Yes. There's. Only been a handful of times where I've been with another person with a disability, especially another wheelchair user. But I think the feeling alone also goes to just the space. You know, people will be talking together, but they'll be in a part of the room that I can't actually into without blocking a walkway or they're talking about going for drinks afterwards, but not somewhere accessible. And it's just that realisation that our worlds aren't quite matching up.
Peta [00:16:42] That triggered a memory for me, Rosie. It's funny how you sort of I forget things a lot and sort of just move on. But I can remember standing in a party, I'm surrounded by 100 people, and all the people I wanted to talk to were down some steps and I couldn't get their attention. And I didn't know anybody else at the party. And I was trying to, like, nudge someone to go, Hey, can you bring them up to me? So I really understand that feeling of being like, no, I'll just check social media. I'll just check my phone. You know, it's you can feel isolated in this space even when they're trying to make you feel comfortable and like you're included. It's just something that only I think disabled people really understand.
Rosie [00:17:34] I think people understand the analogy of like, feeling alone in a crowded room, but you're alone on the stairs and there's no bathroom nearby and you can't eat the food that's provided the party. It's it's that multi-layered yet just that multi-layered aspect of it that, like you said, I don't think people can can truly understand.
Peta [00:18:00] Do you feel like there's ever pressure to look a certain way with all the body image that comes with fashion and marketing? How do you approach that for yourself? How do you navigate it, especially considering your disabilities are intertwined with those aspects?
Rosie [00:18:22] From my experience, I think the industry doesn't enter that space with disabled talent because I think they're scared to ask because as you said, it's it's integrated without disabilities. You know, often we can't exercise the same as other people or we we have weight fluctuations or water retention or it can be anything but the industry is changing in that body positivity movement. So I think that is a general positive shift that.
Peta [00:18:56] What it's been the best, both either physical or emotional support somebody has given you. Have you found it challenging for people to understand your disabilities?
Rosie [00:19:08] I have found it challenging as a ambulatory wheelchair user. I can walk a little bit with my cane, but not not well and not very far. I think that has been a very big challenge with regards to people understanding ambulatory wheelchair use. The first day that I had to use a wheelchair in a public space was going to school and it was halfway through at 12. And I entered the VC area absolutely petrified because. People know I can walk. So how will they understand this? And I went into the room physically shaking. And one of my wonderful friends just called out from across the room. Hey, Hot wheels over here. And it was just like it was the most natural thing. And so I think the biggest supports for me have just been. Not normalisation. It's not a big deal. It is what it is. Let's let's live life.
Peta [00:20:22] So good. And I liked being called Hot Wheels, too, So I'm glad you've experienced that. That's really great. You've been really open about showing your disability on social media, particularly in and around your feeding tube. And I think it's great to have that education in that representation on social media because not many people show it. And I, you know, I really think it's a powerful thing that can be shown. If you feel comfortable. Talk to me. Is that your sole form of nutrition? And do you miss the taste of all the sensory experience of food?
Rosie [00:21:00] So I'm very fortunate in that I can eat small amounts. There are certain foods that would absolutely cook me if I ate them. So I so I tend to stay away from them. I'm very lucky that my tube is used to bridge the gap between what I can eat or what does get processed and health. Before I got my feeding tube. I was very, very sick. And I actually couldn't couldn't work at all. I remember saying with my faith, I said, Lord, I'm ready. And then from there, it just it just went. My my life just took off. This last fashion week was the first time that it was visible on the runway, and I had zero thoughts about it. Because why is something that so many people around the world have you just wouldn't know. And something that keeps us alive. Why would that be shameful? Like at the end of the day, it's the little button India in your stomach. It doesn't have to be this. Incredibly heightened, medical device which which I felt it was when, when I had to get it, it felt like. A piece of my world was ending. But instead, it really let me start living.
Peta [00:22:30] I haven't pre-empted this question, but I'm just frankly nosy. And I really want to ask you as a model, you've clearly tried on lots of different clothes and shapes. What in your perspective is the most flattering or accessible clothing that you've either worn or felt comfortable in? I just love to hear your expertise.
Rosie [00:22:55] That the pieces that I felt most comfortable in have been, ironically, things that are form fitting, which I never thought I would say. Because when you're next to other models with the most incredible bodies and they're tanned and they're toned. You can still feel so beautiful even if your body does look a bit different. I think bringing that energy into things as well has really benefited me because when I started my career, if they say, for example, they went to get me a small bag that I can't put on my shoulder because it will fall off when I'm wheeling and if it's sitting on my lap, it will cover up the outfit. So they go, we'll just pull the bag or we won't do this dress. But finding my confidence to say, Hey, if I was wearing this in public, I would hang it off my knee or Yes, this dress is too long. It'll get called under my chair. So what I'll do, actually, if you're happy, is will tuck it underneath me. And they go, I never would have thought of that. That looks fantastic. And those are the things that I'm most comfortable in, is styling it how I would wear it in real life. When certain clothes are on walking models, they'll have a nice flow and it'll really sit nicely. It doesn't necessarily translate. And I think that that is something that some stylists have realised and some are still working on that.
Peta [00:24:32] I just can't wait for boxy places to not be a thing any more because golly, they look awful on me.
Rosie [00:24:40] A good a good cropped blazer. Correct.
Peta [00:24:45] Correct. Well, it's been such a pleasure talking to you today, Rosie. My final question for anybody listening who's thinking, you know what, I want to have a go. I want to enter this industry. What career advice would you have for them if they wanted to pursue a career in fashion and modelling?
Rosie [00:25:06] Firstly, I would encourage them and say the world really is your oyster. Like, give it a go because what's the worst that can happen? I would say research the different agencies and see what you feel drawn to. CBD talent is a wonderful starting point, especially for anyone with a disability. I would recommend checking them out because they specialise in disabled talent. Know what you have to offer going into it beyond just the fact that you're disabled and that you have a mobility aid. Bring yourself into it because at the end of the day, people are searching for that authenticity. And casting directors and stylists are looking for people. So know your work. Know who you are and what you bring to the table and and be willing to have fun with it. Because at the end of the day, it's it's not that serious. It's fashion.
Peta [00:26:11] Thank you for listening to this week's episode. I hope you enjoyed it. If you did, can I encourage you to leave a writing interview in whatever platform you listen on. Share the show with a friend. It helps more people find the podcast. As always, you can follow me over on Instagram. My handle is at @petahooke. Spelt PETA HOOKE. Or you can send me an email. icantstandpodcast@gmail.com. Thank you so much for listening and thank you Rosie for your time. Until next week. Have a good one, guys. Bye. I would like to respectfully acknowledge the Wurundjeri people and Bunurong people of the Kulin Nation, of which I recalled the podcast today. And I pay my respects to both elders past and present, along with and especially to those in the First Nations communities who are disabled themselves.
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