April Lockhart is breaking into the fashion sphere. A self-appointed "disabled fashion girlie," Lockhart, who was born with amniotic band syndrome, has spent the last year and a half using her platform to share her experiences as a disabled person and form an online community where fashion feels accessible. Beyond forming meaningful connections with her followers - now more than 60,000 strong - Lockhart often experiments with new ways to wear her latest fashion finds and put a personal spin on some of our favorite style trends.
While Lockhart is an expert at tracking down a quality sweater or a breezy cutout dress in a thrift store, her sartorial talents are versatile. In addition to creating content for her Instagram feed, Lockhart is a brand ambassador for Anthropologie, an advocate for adaptive fashion, and a budding runway model. On Sept. 13, she will make her high-fashion debut during New York Fashion Week at the Runway of Dreams show. Lockhart is tight-lipped about the brands she'll be wearing, but she tells POPSUGAR, "Basically big brands that I've loved my whole life will debut adaptive capsule collections."
Lockhart's personal style combines a vast array of influences: vintage, secondhand finds, commercial retail collections, and contemporary releases by top-tier designers. As a seasoned shopper, she shared some of her must-have purchases - including a few of her favorite fashion finds - with POPSUGAR. From items that support a good night's rest to accessories that pair with almost everything in your closet, see Lockhart's must-have recommendations ahead - and shop some of our favorite fall fashion trends here.