Students know how to 'Look Good Naked'

Two students from RNC have been helping Gok Wan encourage more people with disabilities to be confident in their own skin.

How to Look Good Naked with a Difference is the new series of the popular Channel 4 fashion makeover show. In it, fashion expert Gok Wan helps three women with different disabilities overcome some of their emotional and physical barriers to buying and wearing clothes to look and feel good.

 “It’s all about confidence”, said Dave Rawlings who, along with fellow RNC student Julie Thomas, took part in a group ‘naked photo shoot’ for the programme, “if you feel comfortable in your own skin and you know how to make the most of what you’ve got, being confident in your physical appearance can really boost your confidence in all other areas of your life.”

 For the naked photo shoot, which featured in the programme broadcast on Tuesday 26th January, Gok and his team gathered a group of people with different disabilities to pose for a stylish (and tasteful!) photo, with the aim of celebrating difference, and encouraging more people with disabilities to be ‘body confident’.

 Dave, who is 47 and from Southend, has myopia which deteriorated to the point where he had to give up work as a self employed carpenter. Having retrained in Business Administration at RNC he is now working in the College’s Marketing department on a six-month placement, and is writing his first novel. Dave’s ambition is to become a full time writer and live in America.

 Julie, 42 is from Newport and also came to RNC when she wanted to make a career change. She is soon to finish her Music Technology - Radio Broadcasting course, and is also employed on a placement in the RNC Marketing office to expand her experience and help prepare for future employment in this field and in radio.

 Julie said, “It was a lot of fun spending the day with Gok Wan and the team when we did the photo shoot. We spent the morning filming interviews, including giving our take on funny situations we have been in due to our disabilities. We also had a group discussion with Gok about how disabled people are treated and after lunch we did the naked photo, which was very tastefully done and everyone was treated with the utmost respect. I’m really looking forward to seeing the result. It will be something I’ll always be proud of, and if it helps just one person with a disability to have a more positive attitude about their appearance, I’ll be delighted.”

 RNC Principal Geoff Draper said, “Everyone at RNC is thrilled that Dave and Julie will be appearing on How to Look Good Naked. It would be wonderful if their courage and sense of fun inspires others to be as confident. We offer an Independence Programme alongside academic and vocational studies because we know that people with sight loss do sometimes experience difficulties when it comes to shopping for clothes or knowing what to wear for work or social situations. When our younger students organised a charity fashion show recently, some found themselves trying on clothes in shops for the first time ever. We certainly applaud the programme makers for bringing these issues to a mainstream audience, and would hope that the wishes and requirements of people with disabilities will increasingly become part of mainstream life.”

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