Selma Blair continues to advocate for disability representation amid her experience with multiple sclerosis. The actor recently graced the cover of British Vogue's May 2023 issue, among various activists with disabilities in the fashion industry, including Aaron Rose Philip, Sinéad Burke, and Ellie Goldstein. Wearing a powerful Valentino cape dress with hip cutouts, Blair posed on the cover with her cane in hand.
"If I can help remove stigma or over-curiosity in a crowd for someone else, then that's great."
In her interview for the magazine, Blair opened up about her 40-year journey to her MS diagnosis, as well as wanting be photographed with her cane because "representation matters." "I have an emotional and physical attachment to the cane," she told British Vogue. "I settle in my voice and body as soon as I hold [it]. It's an extension of me. And I know it adds to visibility. So many younger people have started publicly embracing their sticks more . . . If I can help remove stigma or over-curiosity in a crowd for someone else, then that's great."
Since publicly disclosing her MS diagnosis in 2018, Blair has proudly brought her cane to various galas, red carpets, and other events to continue increasing visibility. Most recently, she attended the Burberry fall 2023 show during London Fashion Week in February, and the People's Choice Awards in December 2022, where she accepted an honorary award from her friend Sarah Michelle Gellar.
In another photo in her cover spread, the actor wore a chic strapless black dress from The Row, which she paired with suede heels from Manolo Blahnik and her black cane. On April 20, Blair shared the beautiful images on Instagram, writing, "I thought my time to ever grace a Vogue cover again was over but while I was in the business of listening, changing and becoming, the people I admire most dreamed a bit of magic for the cover of @britishvogue."
See the full feature in the May issue of British Vogue available via digital download and on newsstands on Tuesday, April 25. Check out more of Blair's landmark magazine spread ahead.