Fashion forward student wins People’s Choice

Fashion forward student wins People’s Choice

Having lost her leg to cancer Jessica Quinn (21) knows first-hand that prosthetics are designed for function not fashion. The AUT fashion design student is committed to changing this, using her talents to make stylish prosthetic leg covers that empower their wearers.

Last night Jess’ finesse for fashion won her the People’s Choice Award at the national Attitude Awards on World Disability Day.

The Awards celebrate the excellence and achievements of Kiwis living with a disability. This year’s winners (subs note: full list of winners below) were announced at a black tie gala held at Auckland’s Viaduct Event Centre on December 3 and hosted by TV news presenter Simon Dallow.

Of the 24 finalists selected across eight categories, Jess received the most votes through AttitudeLive.com to take out the People’s Choice Award. She dedicated the award to her close friend who sadly lost his battle with cancer.

Attitude Awards Trustee Dan Buckingham, a member of the elite national wheelchair rugby team the Wheel Blacks, says the Awards are about raising expectations around what is achievable for people living with disabilities.

“Last night we celebrated winners across a range of categories, but really the aim of the Awards is to change peoples’ perceptions about this broad and diverse sector of society. So in that sense, all 24 finalists are winners and fantastic role models,” he said.

At age nine Jess broke her leg in a seemingly random soccer accident. However, after the break failed to heal, further tests revealed cancer on the bone. She underwent chemotherapy followed by a radical surgery called rotationplasty and has required a prosthetic leg ever since.

Jess believes people should have access to prosthetics that are not only functional medical devices, but also fashion accessories that are attractive and give the wearer a sense of pride.

“It’s about giving people the opportunity to express their identity and having a bit more control of their body,” she says.

As part of Jess’ study towards a Bachelor of Art and Design at AUT, she is designing and making a series of interchangeable and fashionable prosthetic leg covers. Her goal is to use this research and its outcomes during her masters, which she intends to complete in London next year. Ultimately, she dreams of creating a fashion collection wearable for people with and without prosthetics.

“I’m one of those people who gets an idea in my head and I can’t not do it, I have to go for it. After everything I’ve been through, I realise how short life is,” says Jess.

Outside of study and fashion, Jess finds time to mentor and support cancer patients and amputees as they undergo treatments like rotiationplasty and recovery from limb loss.

The Attitude Awards have grown out of the Attitude TV series, which screens on TV ONE on Sunday mornings at 8:30pm. The overall Attitude ACC Supreme Award was taken out by champion Paralympic swimmer Mary Fisher (21) who also won the Attitude Youth award.

Other Attitude Award winners are Matthew Weir (Courage In Sport), Lyn Cotton (Making A Difference), Corey Peters (Sport Performer of the Year), Paul Barrett (Artistic Achievement), Selwyn Cook, SSC Service Stations (ACC Employer Award) and Muskan Devta (Junior). John Baldwin Munro was inducted in the Attitude Hall of Fame.

Chief Executive of ACC Scott Pickering says ACC is proud to be principal sponsor of the Awards for the seventh year running, including sponsorship of the Attitude ACC Employer Award and the Attitude ACC Supreme Award.

“Congratulations to all the 2014 Attitude Awards winners. They are high achievers and their determination and spirit is inspirational.”

Other sponsors supporting the awards include: Invacare, Barfoot & Thompson, IHC Foundation, Drake Medox, Ministry of Health, Air New Zealand, Wayne Francis Charitable Trust, Westpac and The Lion Foundation.

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