Model Emily Barker Creates Visibility For Disabled People

Emily Barker is one of the many activists- and artists-turned-models you’ve probably come across on your explore page thanks to their impact. Barker, who goes by celestial investments on Instagram, has been named one of the leading culture-defining creators by the social media platform in a new campaign. The visibility Barker has created for the underrepresented disabled community, particularly in fashion, does not go unnoticed — they’ve racked up nearly 35k followers and were featured in two New York Fashion Week shows: Collina Strada (above) and Maisie Wilen (below).

Barker’s own style is sporty and so ’90s, with a grunge influence and Y2K jewelry trends mixed in. If that’s your look, their feed is chock-full of outfit inspo. Plus, you’ll be blown away by how seamlessly they coordinate thrifted finds with high-fashion pieces or accessories from lesser-known, up-and-coming brands they’re excited about. “There are a lot of brands I like to wear that are not particularly inclusive, but the radically inclusive ones are Collina Strada, 3234u, and Maisie Wilen,” Barker said when we spoke about wardrobe sourcing for their game-changing aesthetic that does feel on-trend right now, but also so undeniably their own.