Grace Stratton: Shaking Up Fashion and Championing Equality
Grace Stratton: A Force for Inclusion
Meet Grace Stratton, a young powerhouse who’s making a real difference in the fashion world and beyond. Her mission? To build a society where everyone, including people with disabilities, feels welcome and represented. Grace wasn’t happy with how the fashion industry was ignoring the needs of disabled folks, so she decided to do something about it. That’s how her amazing venture, All is for All, came to life—changing minds and breaking down walls.
The Early Days
Grace’s story begins with a tough start. Born 10 weeks early, she was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at just one year old, which affected her movement, muscle control, posture, and balance. Growing up on her family’s sheep farm in Waimauku, Auckland, Grace and her brother Jordan learned the value of hard work from their parents, Debbie and Francis.
The Birth of All is for All
All is for All was born out of Grace’s own frustration. After struggling to put on a pair of pants she’d ordered online, she realized the fashion industry was overlooking the needs of disabled customers. Teaming up with her friend Angela Bevan, Grace launched All is for All in 2019, with a clear goal: to make fashion truly inclusive.
Changing Minds
All is for All quickly made an impact, with local designers like Stolen Girlfriends Club, Kate Sylvester, and Twenty-seven Names pledging to consider the needs of disabled customers. But Grace’s vision goes way beyond fashion. She dreams of a world where disabilities aren’t seen as a negative, and disabled people are treated as equals.
Recognition and Achievements
Grace’s hard work hasn’t gone unnoticed. In 2019, she was featured on InStyle magazine’s list of 50 Badass Women. She also received the prestigious Attitude ACC Supreme Award at the 2020 Attitude Awards. Grace’s work is opening doors and building bridges of understanding, not just for herself, but for the entire disabled community.
The Future of Inclusion
Grace’s mission has shone a spotlight on the bigger issues faced by disabled people, from fashion to insurance and banking. She’s pushing for a society where everyone is included and seen as equal. All is for All’s work has already made a real difference, with companies worldwide now paying more attention to accessibility and inclusion.
A Life of Purpose
Even with her busy schedule, Grace makes time for life’s simple pleasures, like catching up with friends over coffee and shopping. Her journey is a testament to her strength and determination. Grace Stratton isn’t just changing the fashion industry; she’s revolutionizing the way society sees and treats people with disabilities.
