‘The WOMderful Inclusive Fashion Show by Benedetta De Luca’: fashion that lights up every unique feature
For the first time at the Milan Fashion Week the show held by The Wom
An event highlighting fashion and inclusion, with an introductory talk and the sponsorship of the City of Milan and the Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana (National Chamber for Italian Fashion)
‘The WOMderful Inclusive Fashion Show by Benedetta De Luca’ was held today during MILANO FASHION WEEK. The first fashion show to combine fashion and inclusion, this event is dedicated to enhancing and celebrating all of women’s unique features.
The initiative was developed by Benedetta De Luca — Gender & Inclusion Editor at The Wom, disability advocate and spokesperson for issues relating to inclusion — and was promoted and produced by The Wom, the digital magazine of reference for the younger generations, with the support of the City of Milan and the Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana.
‘On behalf of the City of Milan,’ said the Councillor for Labour Policies and Economic Development, Alessia Cappello, ‘we are proud to support a project like this, which combines fashion and inclusion, conveying an important message for the fashion world and for the younger generations, i.e. that beauty and elegance have no boundaries, perimeters, or barriers of any kind.’
‘We are happy to support initiatives of this sort during the Milan Fashion Week. For years we have conducted numerous projects and events aimed at making the fashion industry more inclusive,’ said Carlo Capasa, President of the Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana. ‘It is one of the pillars of the Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana, which drafted its D&I Manifesto with guidelines for the sector in 2019. I thank The Wom and Benedetta De Luca for their passion and vision, which are an important example and a valuable stimulus for us all,’ President Capasa concluded, opening the event.
‘This event aims to be a step towards a future where no one should ever feel invisible, because we all deserve to shine and exist fully, without ever feeling out of place,’ said Benedetta De Luca, Gender & Inclusion Editor of The Wom. ‘It is essential that each of us can express ourselves authentically. Each of us has the right to feel seen, recognised, and valued, unconditionally and without having to fit into predefined patterns. I would like to thank the City of Milan and the Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana for believing in a project that is capable of conveying and spreading a message of inclusion and sensitivity, issues that are very dear to us and which I also experience personally,’ Benedetta De Luca concluded.

Fashion that lights up every unique feature
The collection by Benedetta De Luca showcased not only dresses, but also stories.
Each fabric was chosen to enhance movement and fluidity. Each cut is designed to fit the body, not the other way around. Silk intertwines with bold textures, and details and precious fabrics play with light, enhancing each movement and turning it into a statement of authentic beauty.
This collection is a manifesto of boundless elegance, unmeasurable sensuality, and pride that does not ask for permission to exist. It is proof that fashion can be inclusive without sacrificing sophistication, that every person has the right to shine and be represented, that elegance consists of character, presence and identity, regardless of one’s body, age, cultural and religious background or disability. Change is here. Fashion welcomes, celebrates, illuminates. In the collection designed by Benedetta De Luca, every person has the right to shine.
A talk to promote uniqueness
‘The WOMderful Inclusive Fashion Show by Benedetta De Luca’ ended with a talk entitled ‘Fashion that Lights Up Every Unique Feature.’ The talk focused on how inclusive fashion is changing the collective imagination and stimulating greater self-acceptance. It also addressed the way in which inclusive fashion can profoundly influence social perceptions and break down barriers, starting with architectural ones.
Speakers included: Alessia Cappello, Councillor for Labour Policies and Economic Development for the City of Milan; Francesca Bonetti, Assistant Professor HEC Montreal focusing on innovation culture and markets; Giulio Marrucci, Marketing & Trade Marketing Lead with Unilever Personal Care; Benedetta De Luca, Gender & Inclusion Editor of The Wom and disability advocate; Daniela Cerrato, Marketing Director with Mondadori Media. Moderator: Valentina Lonati, Culture Editor of The Wom.
15 unconventional models on the runway
The stars of ‘The WOMderful Inclusive Fashion Show by Benedetta De Luca’ included 15 unconventional models, who brought an emotional story to the runway wearing creations by Benedetta De Luca, an expert in inclusive fashion.
The event focused on women from all over Italy with different backgrounds and features, supporters of respect for all cultures and religions — in short, champions of the authentic expression of their own identity beyond any stereotypes. This mosaic of stories helps to redefine the concept of beauty representation, from real life to the runway to the media, because inclusion consists of multiple shades.
Each of the 15 exceptional models represents a story and an identity that deserves to be told:
- Giulia D’Aloia, a content creator and student from Varese, recounts the world of women through videos that highlight the women of today and yesterday, remembering figures who have made history;
- Elisabetta Rossi, a charismatic and exuberant model from Vicenza, was born with a hearing impairment. She expresses her personality with charisma and naturalness, showing that communication goes beyond words;
- Anna Fusco, a singer, actress, artist, coach and model from Rome, brings a blend of art and innovation to the stage, proudly wearing a robotic arm that naturally becomes part of her unique expression;
- Valeria Scommegna, a young woman who has achieved her dream of becoming a teacher, is originally from Puglia but lives away from home, trying to convey the value of inclusion to her students;
- Gaya Cuppone, a content creator and model, works in the fashion industry, conducting a dialogue about invisible illnesses with style and awareness;
- Margherita Tercon, from Rimini, is co-creator with her brother and partner of an artistic project consisting of sketches, performances and videos that tells about autism;
- Anna Maisetti, 37, is a content creator and body positive model who has created the largest international community on lymphedema. She uses style and irony to combine information and fashion, promoting awareness and self-acceptance;
- Giulia Ludovica Scarpato, a graduate in philosophy and communication, is from Naples and loves to discover the world. As she always says: ‘My wheelchair is not a limitation, but the means that allows me to engage in my passions and travel’;
- Christine Puglisi, one of the most influential voices in body positivity activism and fighting all forms of bullying and discrimination. Her motto? #Lamodaèpertutti (#Fashionisforeveryone);
- Jessica Senesi, a content creator, actress and activist both online and offline, proudly and authentically shares her journey of self-determination and transition;
- Aida Diouf Mbengue, whose background combines Senegal and Italy, is a content creator and activist who celebrates inclusion and the beauty of cultural diversity;
- Rita Rinaldi, a student from Puglia in her third year of Movement Science at the University of Ferrara, is passionate about sports and movement as tools of expression and personal strength;
- Lucia Della Ratta, an economist and albino model, embodies an ethereal charm and radiant beauty, a symbol of grace and elegance;
- Vincenza Di Noia, a fashion design student from Puglia, has a strong passion for fashion, with a special focus on adaptive fashion. Due to her disability, she experiences this need first hand;
- Benedetta De Luca, originator of the event as well as creator of the garments in the collection.
Trame di autenticità
The final piece in Benedetta De Luca’s collection was originally a white swath of fabric, a symbol of inclusion and authentic beauty that ultimately takes shape, ‘colour’ and meaning through collective participation. This garment tells the story of every person, through contributions from the models and everyone wishing to participate through The Wom’s social profiles. Each element included in the garment represents a story, a nuance, a message — a way of collectively building a shared narrative of inclusion and uniqueness.
Elisabetta Rossi wore this latest symbolic creation. This white dress, called ‘Trame di autenticità’, was made in collaboration with Dove, the exclusive partner of the event, which has been committed to celebrating and supporting authentic beauty in all its forms for more than 20 years.
Live and on social media
“The WOMderful Inclusive Fashion Show by Benedetta De Luca”, after the live coverage, will also be available on www.thewom.it.
Live coverage included stories and reels with videos on @thewom and @benedetta_deluca’s Instagram profiles, interviews with the models, and behind-the-scenes footage of the event.
The Wom’s commitment continues
The fashion show is part of a broader ongoing project. Since its inception, The Wom — which is celebrating its 3rd anniversary — has actively promoted the values of authenticity and acceptance. This also comes through constant listening and interaction with a continuously growing community (currently numbering 10 million followers) that views The Wom as a place for authentic representation and discussion. The Wom will continue to create a space where it is possible to ask questions, receive information and feel heard while offering stimuli, support, and opportunities for collective growth on a daily basis.
‘The WOMderful Inclusive Fashion Show by Benedetta De Luca’ was created in collaboration with Power Talent Agency, which exclusively manages young talent with a particular focus on lifestyle, beauty, wellness and fitness.
The initiative also benefits from a collaboration with two excellent technical partners who made the looks even more womderful: Astra Make-Up did the make-up for the models walking the runway, while Wella Professional was in charge of hair styling.
Benedetta De Luca
Benedetta De Luca, disability advocate and Gender & Inclusion Editor of The Wom, promotes an idea of authentic and inclusive beauty through her social channels (nearly 150,000 followers on Instagram and more than 470,000 on TikTok). She earned an Executive Master’s in Disability Management from the University of Cassino and is the author of ‘Life as a Little Mermaid’ (Sperling&Kupfer).
The Wom
The Wom is a social magazine dedicated to the younger generation of women. It recounts real stories promoting self-acceptance and reaches more than 10 million unique users every month (Social Incremental Reach Comscore). It is a reference for the younger generations on Instagram. With a total fanbase of 10 million followers, the community encourages dialogue with a respectful tone of voice (source: Social Insights January 2025).
Power Talent Agency
Power Talent Agency is a talent agency by Mondadori Media that exclusively manages a roster of 26 creators, with a total audience of nearly 20 million followers. The agency stands out for its ability to develop innovative and unconventional communication initiatives, both online and offline, focusing on the strength and uniqueness of each creator by connecting sponsor brands with the target audience, creating valuable projects.