Models and designers create bears to help blind teenagers get a feel for fashion

Fashion designers and models have designed a range of bears to help blind teenagers get a feel for fashion.

Twiggy, Betty Jackson, Lulu Guinness, Vivienne Westwood and Matthew Williamson have designed and dressed Steiff Bears for the charity Living Paintings, which helps blind children and adults. The bears will be auctioned at the V&A on the evening of February 25th 2010 and the proceeds will help the charity develop new feely images to help blind teenagers get to grips with the fashion choices open to them.

Lulu Guinness who designed her bear to wear her signature colours of black, white and red, said: “My bear is wearing one of my Beret purses on his head, with a lovely black and white stripey bow around his neck and I’ve put him inside one of my tote bags. I thought it was fun to inject an element of fashion into my bear design, because I believe Fashion is something that should not be taken too seriously. I hope that blind teenagers can interact with this and enjoy.”

If you want to get your hands on one of these bears then call Living Paintings on 01635 299771. Bids for any of the bears can be taken on the night in person or by phone, or in advance.