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ZAZEL IS WINNIE IN “THE FOCUS GROUP”

After the great success of The Bigger Plans Project, winner of the Indie Fest 2021, starring Zazel and her solo powerful dance, here she comes again playing Winnie in “The Focus Group”.

Why did she accept? Did she have fun? Here is another interview to our friend and incredible Artist and Dancer Zazel Chavah O’Garra!
By the way… have you watched the film?

WHAT MOTIVATED YOU TO PARTICIPATE IN THE EASTERSEALS DISABILITY FILM CHALLENGE WITH US?

I’m interested in making a film with an interesting, profound topic which shares our story about our struggles, challenges and triumphs!!

DOES THE CHARACTER YOU PLAYED REPRESENT YOU? IF YES, WHY?

The character represents who I am- An African-American woman, disabled, fashionable with attitude!
Why should I hide who I am?
I need clothes to represent and focus on my beauty- inside and out!

IN RECENT YEARS WE HAVE SEEN A BETTER REPRESENTATION OF SOCIETY IN TERMS OF GENDER, SEXUAL ORIENTATION AND ETHNICITY BOTH ON BIG AND SMALL SCREENS; DO YOU THINK THE SAME CAN BE SAID ABOUT THE REPRESENTATION OF DISABILITIES?

 I am a member of ) with SAG-AFTRA.  We fight for inclusion and accessibility for actors in film and television. I attended a conference with the Ruderman Foundation where we discussed the miniscule numbers of characters with disabilities in television and film. We want industry professionals to know disabled performers should not be discriminated against – we want to be accepted for our talents.

Zazel, an Afro-American woman is standing in centre of the picture, doing a dance step and smiling. She holds an multi-color cane, with colored spiral details, with both hands in front of her. wears a bare-shoulders short dress in black, yellow and different shades of beige

WHAT ARE THE MAIN DIFFICULTIES IN DEALING WITH A FASHION INDUSTRY THAT OFTEN FORGETS THAT WE ARE NOT ALL THE SAME?

The fashion industry fails to realize that people with disabilities love clothes too.  “FASHION IS THE WINDOW TO THE SOUL.” It defines you. We need clothes that can ensure getting dressed is easy and with no hassle. Change has been sluggish when it comes to including people with disabilities. We want to be represented with the appropriate, STYLISH adaptive wear.

Zazel, an Afro-American woman is standing in the centre of the picture, she looks at her left and smiles. The pose suggests that she is doing a dance step. She’s wearing a 3/4 sleeved dress with a pink, green and black pattern, silver hoop earrings, a headband matching the dress. In her left hand she holds a multi-colored walking cane with colourful details in spirals along it.

TO ALL THOSE WHO LIVE WITH A DISABILITY AND ARE STILL LOOKING FOR THE COURAGE TO GET INVOLVED, TO ALL THOSE WHO LIVE THEIR DISABILITY WITH SHAME, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE?

 Speak your mind, let your voice be heard.
We are underrepresented. We want the fashion industry to know people with disabilities want to dress stylishly like everyone else. 

 NAME THREE BRANDS THAT HAVE MADE YOUR LIFE EASIER AND ALWAYS MAKE YOU FEEL COOL! 

Target, Zappos, Rachel Ray-Moxie Made, Tommy Hilfiger Smartadaptive Clothing

 If you want to know more about Zazel please follow her on Linkedin and Instagram 

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